Cedars of Lebanon

While the kids were in school, Constance

was home sick, we took Mike's parents to Cedars of Lebanon.    

We took the short trail and showed them the cool tree.

It was fun.  It was too bad the kids couldn't have gone with us too -- they would have enjoyed it too.

The Great Smokey Mountains

Mike's parents came to visit and we took a day trip to Gatlinburg to see the fall colors.  The kids are in school so we had to wait until Saturday to head out.

We did the Cade's Cove driving loop.  I have never been to the Smokies in the fall and the colors were amazing.

The kids enjoyed everything -- they really wanted to see a bear but it didn't happen.

I had to laugh when we were in the middle of the loop, slow go because of the bumper to bumper cars, and a boy who needs to pee.  Daddy had it all under control.

It wasn't long before we had to get the boys out because they were starting to drive everyone nuts.  We decided to try the Abram Fall's trail ... That is until we saw it was 2.5 miles and moderate.  We went a little ways but decided we better not try with grandma.

On the way back to the car Nic asked "but what about all my energy". I promised him we would go on another hike to burn off his energy.

Bless Constance's heart she had not been feeling well since Wednesday evening.  She woke up feeling a bit better but by the end of the day she was not feeling so good.

The boys enjoyed going in an old cabin and seeing how people lived a long time ago.  The boys also go to see a couple white tailed deer and got within 15 feet of them and watched them eat.  They thought that was pretty cool.

I promised the boys they would get to see a waterfall -- we stopped at The Sinks ... There was no hike involved.

We decided to try the Laurel Fall's trail.  Even though it is uphill almost the entire 1.5 miles, it is paved.  Constance didn't make it very far before she decided she needed to go back to the van.  Grandma Cook went with her and the rest of us headed to the falls.

The colors were BREATHTAKING!  I love seeing the Fall colors.

Nic would have run the entire way if I would have let him.  As it was, he was holding my hand and climbing on and jumping off of rocks.

My boys enjoyed seeing the waterfall.  Unfortunately they both found a slick spot and fell.  After Jordan followed after Nic we decided we were done.  

Absolutely beautiful.  I wish we would have ha more time to spend hiking and enjoying the colors.  I told Mike I wish we could have gotten a cabin.  It was definitely a fun day!

Lightening display

While running errands the other night we were treated to a beautiful lightening display.  

I had fun trying to actually capture the lightening.

My cell phone camera doesn't have the rapid shutter option ...

Needless to say there were numerous pictures that didn't show anything.

I was thrilled with the few pictures that actually turned out.

Fairness

I had a little boy complain and throwing a fit about how it wasn't fair that sissy got to stay up later and watch a movie and on and on.  Then this morning the grumpiness continued.  I finally had enough and said "Fine, you want things to be fair you will get fair.  I have work to do today and it's not fair for me to work and you to play so you all will work right along side me and not stop until I do.  You'll eat lunch when I do, etc.". After cousins left we went to work.

They all quickly realized that they don't really want things to be fair and that it isn't going to be "fair".  In the process of teaching a lesson I got all the windows cleaned, 1 roll of paper towels was used and about 1/2 - 3/4 of the window cleaner -- hopefully a lesson learned and not forgotten!

Praying Mantis

We were out at the farm enjoying a day on the pond when we saw this ...

The kids were excited.  

When we got home they were even more excited when they found this on our door ... 

They each took a turn letting it crawl on them and quickly learned they are FAST.  

I wish I had caught their reactions on video as the praying mantis ran up their arms and onto their heads.  It was so funny!

Little boys

Jordan has decided he knows more than me ... He decided to show me how much  smarter her is today.  We had picked jalapeños from the garden and Jordan informed me they were not hot.  I told them they were and to put the jalapeño back and he decided he would prove me wrong and took a bite.  

It wasn't long before he was spitting the pepper out and scrambling for an ice cube to suck on and anything else he could get a hold of.  Maybe next time he will believe me -- or not.  Right now it seems I don't know too much.

Evidently someone along the way has decided to graciously show Jordan how to do armpit farts and this morning Jordan graciously gave me a demonstration.  Needless to say he has been doing it A LOT.  So much fun.

After returning home from getting the boys from school, I stopped to pick he ripe cherry tomatoes and sent Nic on ahead to unlock and open the front door.  While I was picking Nic started to do the pee pee dance and I told him to go potty. Next thing I see is Nic standing in front of the tree.  Then I turn around to see Jordan doing the same thing by another tree.  The door is open boys!!   REALLY?!

While following daddy outside, Nic tripped and fell in the driveway and came in the house with this

Which he asked "am I going to die?"  Um, no, you won't.

Kindergarten

His first day and he was so excited.  I walked him in and he grudgingly gave me a hug bye.  When I picked him up after school he was still so excited.  He made 3 new friends and he really likes his teacher.  

When he didn't get to go the next day he was disappointed, until he got to go play with cousins.

This morning he was back to school and I asked him if he wanted me to walk him in.  I was informed he could do it himself.  Jordan being the big brother he is tried to help but Nic was determined to do it on his own.  It continued this afternoon in the car rider line when Jordan tried to hold Nic's hand and Nic refused.  Independence reached -- to a point.  My baby still has hugs and kisses for me :)

Good and timely reminder

Last "hurrah" of summer

We decided to surprise the kids on Monday and took them to Chattanooga ... With school starting Wednesday.

Mike and I were talking ... It was funny because last time we came -- Jordan was pushing us thru.  This time it was Nic pulling us along ... Or trying to.  Constance would have loved to stay and see the animals and critters they bring out.  The boys just wouldn't sit still that long.

The butterflies and sting days are always a big hit.  Nic was so excited when the butterflies landed on him.  Constance found one that had only 2 legs ...

You really can't go wrong with the sharks either.  I loved the many faces of my boys in the shark cage.

The kids were go, go, go ... Until we got here.  They decided to take up residence.  Constance volunteered to move in -- she thought this would be a perfect room.  I really can't say that I disagree with that.  We had to push them out -- they really enjoyed just relaxing there.

Between the sharks and now jellyfish ... I don't know if Jordan will ever have a desire to get in the ocean.  I was telling the kids about how jellyfish can sting you and told them Sister Carico got stung by one just last week.  That might have been a mistake.

With the nice warm weather we let the kids wade in the little stream before we decided to head over to the pedestrian bridge.

On the way to the bridge mike and I were talking about how we wished we knew where to find the stairs with water going down .  We'd seen it on a commercial for Chattanooga.  We were getting ready to cross the street when I saw a cool looking bridge and wanted to get a picture of it.

I was so glad I did -- we found the stairs.  Our kids decided they would much rather play in the water for a bit rather then cross the bridge.  They had a blast!

A simple truth -- a timely reminder

Sometimes a little reminder is needed and perspective is gained ... 

Lately there have been some struggles and issues that have been really frustrating and just leave me shaking my head and at a loss as to what to do and questioning why.  I have prayed and prayed for for guidance as to what to do and how to handle things and for a softening of hearts ... When I saw this today ... It brought a peace and a confirmation that we are on the right path.  Not that the struggles will simply go away or that we won't have them but that no matter what, when you stand up for what you feel is right, when you have integrity, you will piss some people off (for lack of a better term) ... The most important thing is making sure you are right with Heavenly Father -- he is ultimately the one you have to answer to and his opinion is the only one that matters.

A little mouse ... Named Nic

This is what happens when you don't get the bread sliced as quickly as a 5-yr-old would like.  Nic decided he had waited long enough and helped himself to he bread.

Future American Ninja Warriors

My boys were quite pleased with themselves and eager to share their latest accomplishment.

Of course the fun comes in when they are all the way up to he ceiling and have to get down.  

The floor seems a bit far away and dropping to the ground is a bit intimidating, but they manage.

Crime scene

Carisa called me when she found a wet spot on her carpet.  I went over to her house to help.  We had to cut the Sheetrock to find the leak -- if the plumber did it it would have been expensive.

We found it, but the carpet was damaged so we had to take it out too.

It's not very often you have a blank slate -- I told Carisa we should do a crime scene on her floor.  

We were laughing so hard.

I don't think Brian appreciated it as much as we did.