My Joy!

2011-10-31T08:56:00.000-07:00

Drop Box

2011-10-29T06:24:00.000-07:00

2011-10-29T06:23:00.000-07:00

last post......

2009-08-30T13:57:00.000-07:00

If anyone is visiting this blog I am sorry to say I will not be posting anymore on blogspot. Facebook is easier. Also- I was posting this blog for my Mom, but now she can see the kids in the flesh.
I will be deleting soon... look me up on facebook!

Spontaneous Camping

2009-07-16T08:03:00.001-07:00

We were invited to spend the day at my Aunt and Uncle's land for the 4th of July on Saturday. Randy came home early from work on Friday with a wild hair. No- not the gray one, the one that wanted to pack up and go camping Friday night. We spontaneously got all our camping stuff together and headed off to NC. We arrived only to find the temperature dropped tremendously. In our spur of the moment packing- we didn't think to check the weather. We had to make a pit stop at Wal-Mart for some warm clothes. With not much dough I grabbed clearance stuff while the family sat in the car. Everyone made out well, except for Randy. It's the middle of the summer. There were no warm clothes. It was 60 degrees in the woods. I had to get something for my husband. Well, he ended up with a pair of woman's yoga pants. I tell ya- when he put them on in the tent I never laughed so hard. Guess you had to be there... Obviously it was hard to get a picture of him in the pants... I did the best I could.

Who you spittin' at?

2009-07-16T07:59:00.001-07:00

MVI_1470
Originally uploaded by destiny_ramsey

A cute moment with my little peanut! This is what a 2 year old does to entertain himself on a long car ride.

Randy being a total [cute] dork!

2009-07-16T07:55:00.001-07:00

MVI_1467
Originally uploaded by destiny_ramsey

Hope you can understand this! I always take pictures of Randy while he's driving on a trip. He is usually a dork and makes these weird faces. I decided to change things up a bit and film him instead. Only- he thought I was still taking a picture. So while he's working on the perfect dork face for the shot I am filming the entire process. All in all it makes for a wonderfully hilarious moment and a sneak peak at just the right amount of laughter that I married!

Organic Child

2009-07-16T07:50:00.000-07:00

All Natural and No chemicals were used in the production of this child!

July 4th in North Carolina

2009-07-16T07:31:00.001-07:00

We spent the 4th of July at my Uncle Ralph and Aunt Loralee's land in Crawford Creek NC. It's always beautiful up there and we had a wonderful time.
Go to "My Flickr Collection" in the top right-hand column of this blog and click on '4th of July' for more photos of this trip!

Early Birthday Present...

2009-06-12T06:35:00.000-07:00

Trampoline Mania

2009-06-12T06:29:00.000-07:00

Yes, we got a trampoline for the kids. It's a combo present for Hannah and Graham (their Birthdays are 2 weeks apart). But really the whole family is reaping the fun. I must say my little peanut is the only one adjusting. He is so light that he just gets flung about when we jump. So, we give "Jordan jumping time" and he likes that. Daddy is the master jumper and can easily clear the top of the trampoline. We jump several times a day and it is great exercise. I am left sweaty and out of breath. Daddy even rigged up a hose and sprayer along a tree and the kids jump while water sprays on them in the hot of the day. They are out there for hours... Praise the Lord for some quiet time!!! I love it! It wears them out and they pass out around 8 pm most nights... just exhausted!

Mud Mania

2009-06-02T05:32:00.000-07:00

Even though this event is old school here in Columbia, we were rookies to it. This was our first experience with Mud Mania. The kids had a blast (except for Jordan). Even Hannah showed her dirty side and jumped in. There was an obstacle coarse for big kids, a mini coarse for little ones, and a giant mud pit. The day was full of "Oh my Gosh!" and "Look at you!" What a great idea letting kids get muddy (and not on my own property either). We had to really figure out how to get them clean and in the car. Hannah stepped on a bee, Jordan screamed the whole time we were there, and Graham ate enough dirty to where he wasn't hungry for lunch.
Check out all the dirty pictures in "My Flickr Collection" located in the top right-hand column of this blog labeled "MUD Mania 09"

BEFORE

AFTER

Military Mud Training

2009-06-02T05:21:00.001-07:00

Florida Trip

2009-05-29T13:40:00.000-07:00

Fighting For Their Life...

2009-05-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

My Mom and Uncle Randy continue to battle unrelenting doctor's visits, chemo, radiation, tests, and medication, but... their faith remains strong. These two, brother & sister, keep their prayers up and bad news down. As they press on, please pray for total healing and restoration in their young bodies.
GOD CAN DO ANYTHING! Luke 18:27

Florida wildlife

2009-05-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

Florida Wildlife... and yes that does include the Iglesias Family!

Don't kiss the frog!

2009-05-29T13:12:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful, unexpected turn of events... Everyone in the family was able to drop what they were doing and head to Florida to visit with Uncle Randy. For us that also meant seeing Nana G & Grandpa Dan. They were able to turn on their roles as cool grandparents right away. As always, the trip was too short.

Blizzard Beach Florida

2009-05-29T13:01:00.000-07:00

Family Time

2009-05-29T12:53:00.001-07:00

Family Reunion at Tomoka State Park

2009-05-29T12:39:00.000-07:00

The Iglesias family was long over due for a reunion. Everyone was able to take off from work and other duties to get together. We laughed over old memories and gave a big round applause to our two champion fighters Uncle Randy and my Mom.
Remember to keep them in your prayers as the continue to battle cancer!

Daytona Beach

2009-05-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

Pizza Party after game

2009-05-22T06:22:00.001-07:00

Graham's Last Game

2009-05-22T05:43:00.000-07:00

Create a Free Slideshow

???

2009-05-21T18:30:00.000-07:00

I'm not really going to explain this picture. If you have never done this... you might be saying "what the heck?" If you have done this well, this won't seem so strange! I love the smoke coming out of Graham's ear.

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

Here are my beautiful children forced to take a picture with me on Mother's Day. I did make them pose and smile and Jordan would have nothing to do with that! He is upset cause he already got one spanking and did not want to be cooperative. Aren't children suppose to be total angels on these special days??? The only thing I would change is seeing my own Mother on Mother's Day... or any day for that matter. She is still on chemo so please pray for her. Hope every Mother had a wonderful day.

A shout out to Joe

2009-05-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

As I do my afternoon surfing I just wanted to give a shout out to Joe. Randy is my main squeeze, but Joe is my afternoon pick-me-up. It's hot and delish and I feel so motivated drinking it and when I'm done. I remember as a kid, feeling confused as to why grown ups would just go and 'have coffee'. Oh- I so understand now. I love to just go and 'have coffee'. I don't think I go and 'have coffee' enough. Randy does not share my passion on this, but I am not a closet drinker. I have married a sweet tea/Gatorade man and that's the way it shall forever be. So as I sit here sipping my vanilla flavored joe with truvia and fat free creamer... I am in bliss. I love you Joe!

Playdough and Toothpicks

2009-05-07T12:44:00.001-07:00

We spent a Saturday creating the most awesome aliens. Graham wanted to destroy them. We put up a good fight, but in the end... His 42, 2" long, wooden wall of fierceness was no match for me and Hannah's plastic knife. A rematch is in order... we just have to go to Wal-Mart and enlist some more dough!

REACH Homeschool Field Day

2009-04-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

The homeschool group we are a part of hosted a field day at Seven Oaks. They had everything from face painting, three-legged race, to a pie eating contest. It was hot but they had lots of popsicles. Jordan ate 6. People just kept feeling sorry for his hot little, red cheeks and he scored so many frozen treats. Graham had a blast and I had the hardest time keeping up with him. He went from game to game and field to field. Hannah even got to shake the parachute. This day was fun and ended in lots of water and a looooooong afternoon nap!
Check out all the pictures on "My Flikr Collection" located at the top right-hand column of this page!

Glorious Goop

2009-04-25T06:03:00.000-07:00

This is the highlight of any day for these children. Getting messy! We made goop with cornstarch and water. It is the coolest stuff. And even for yours truly (who hates to dirty hands) can't help but touch it. We have plans to make a BIG tub of it and really get our elbows in it. Stay tuned...

Date Night

2009-04-24T05:35:00.000-07:00

The Hubby and I have not had a date night in quite awhile. Once, on my Birthday last year, but he wore out quickly cause my birthday wish was to ride bikes to the restaurant. No- not kidding. So, we planned a day in Charleston and enjoyed each others company. We walked around Williams-Sonoma and talked about our dream kitchen and all the "stuff" we would have in it. We ate Godiva chocolate... sharing every piece. And see the awesome bracelet on my wrist? My darling took me shopping at Brighton's!!! And just when I thought he couldn't get anymore dreamy and wonderful, he surprised me with a dinner booking at a fabulous little Italian restaurant. The food was heaven. We wished we could have stayed longer, but it was a 2 hour drive home. We asked a hostess to take our picture capturing the moment of two lovebirds... children-free.

Photo Slideshow

2009-04-14T14:11:00.001-07:00

Easter 2009

2009-04-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter. We did egg hunt galore. This was our first Easter as family. We had a wonderful holiday celebrating the resurrection of Christ!
He has risen! Hallelujah!
See all the Easter photos my Flikr collection, top right-hand column of this blog.

Another Sunday Fellowship

2009-04-12T14:57:00.001-07:00

Graham's First Game

2009-04-06T11:12:00.001-07:00

I am just loving being a baseball mom. Graham is doing so great. He hits the ball just about every time. He got to run all the bases, too. We have had a lot of rainy days, so we haven't been practicing lately. After Spring Break, we are geared up for some great games!

Jordan turns 2!

2009-04-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

Wow! My baby is no longer a baby. It was the hardest Birthday so far. Randy and I are just devastated, almost, that we no longer have a 'baby'! He had a blast at his party. We did a truck theme. Graham helped me make cool signs for decoration and we also put up caution tape. The food was served in buckets labeled cement for salsa, nut's n bolts for trail mix and so on! Jordan got lots of cool stuff including a big, yellow Tonka truck. We were blessed with beautiful weather and wonderful company. Go to "My Flickr Collection" in the top right-hand column of this blog, to see all the wonderful pictures from this party!

Artist or Picky Eater?

2009-04-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

"Momma, Jordan is painting the table with his food again!" I'm not kidding... these are the words I hear almost daily. I have already banned Jordan from anymore peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He, immediately, opens the sandwich and places them faces down on my glass top table. He then smears them all over, as far as he can reach. Oatmeal, not cleaned up in time acts as cement. Oh- Oatmeal has been put on the "banned" list as well. I'm running out of things that he will eat that AREN'T smearable!

The Fort

2009-04-05T18:55:00.000-07:00

A long time ago I promised to post the finishing touches on Graham's fort. Never did. Well, here ya go. Not only is this a picture of Graham's fort finished, it's full of kids loving it and it already has a "wear and tear" on it! The fort is complete with a ladder, sandbox, loft and a hideout inside. It has been awesome to have this past weekend, as I have had at least 15 kids at my house. Randy, you did good!

Swan Lake

2009-04-04T13:54:00.000-07:00

We took a field trip to Swan Lake in Sumter, last week. Oh- the swans were magnificent. The kids learned so much on the tour (I did too) We ate wild mustard and fennel. We learned that behavior of swans... very fascinating. They had a playground and so we picnicked, too. Check out ALL the pictures in "My Flickr Collection", top right-hand column of this blog.

The Hippo has arrived!

2009-03-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

Last week, Randy drove to Ohio to pick up our infamous Hippo. If I haven't told you about it then you're in for a real treat to watch this story unfold. As we embark on another business journey this one should include the whole family and lots of fun. We have purchased The Hippo. It is the world's largest inflatable slide. The road to getting it was frustrating. Now, it's here. That's half the battle. The other half is finding a resort that will let us run it on their beach front property during the summer. Hippo owners are pulling a half a million a summer, on average! We are praying for the right resort and spot. Your input is definitely needed. Sea Turtles and the dunes are our biggest concerns! For more Hippo pictures go to the top right- hand column and under "My Flickr Collection" click on "Hippo part 1". If you want to see what the whole thing will look like go to: http://freestyleslides.com/index.html

Sunday Fellowship

2009-03-15T16:27:00.000-07:00

Our Sunday Fellowship is back and it's more joyful than ever.
Praise God For That!!!

Friends

2009-03-15T16:26:00.001-07:00

Stuck in a chair

2009-03-12T06:48:00.000-07:00

This picture reminds me of the time Hannah climbed down out of her highchair and got her skirt stuck on the crouch part of the chair. As she hung there helpless, I (after wiping tears from laughing so hard) ran and got the camera and then helped her. Once again, I have another child stuck in a chair. So, of coarse, instead of helping him, my very first thought is to capture it on digital film.

Hair Twins

2009-03-12T06:43:00.000-07:00

This is our friend Rachel. I call her and Jordan "hair twins". These two were visited by the golden hair fairy. Jordan loves her to pieces.

Our Spring has turned to summer... Instantly!

2009-03-12T06:41:00.001-07:00

Boy, we had some beautiful weather this weekend. Our spring suddenly turned to summer and we were enjoying a warm 80 degree evening. We went to a lake by our house for some adventure. We had great family fun. Even Nova got in on the action!

Those are mine... all mine!

2009-03-12T06:36:00.000-07:00

Forget perfect poses. This is real life in the making. I stopped trying to get them all to smile and look at the camera years ago. What better way to capture the moment by capturing the 'real' moment.

The world looks so big...

2009-03-12T06:31:00.000-07:00

for such a little guy, I'm sure! Good thing he conquers it one tantrum at a time. And can you believe these beautiful golden locks? He it starting to get called "a cute little girl" by old ladies in the grocery store. I don't care. He's into this spiderman baseball cap (cause big brother wears one) so that may help. Randy and I call him our hippie baby and we are nowhere near ready for a haircut.

This little guy melts my heart!

2009-03-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

Nova gets the stick

2009-03-12T06:05:00.000-07:00

We had to teach Nova to retrieve the stick. It took her a few tries. Once she figured it out, there was no stopping her. She did this close to 50 times. By nightfall, this wild beast was a sack of potatoes.
(yes it's sideways- I know...oops)

Cooking Class Friday

2009-03-12T05:05:00.001-07:00

Pizza that's a giant cookie. Yum! They had fun with this one. Go to "My Flikr Collection" in the top right-hand column and click on "fruit pizza" for the pictures.

Bodies of Water: Jell-O style

2009-03-05T11:16:00.000-08:00

As a homeschool Mom, I am fully convinced that I can make anything out of Jell-O. And the great thing, from a health nut point of view, is my kids hate it. We can make it, learn from it and they don't ingest the sugar and dye. This week we have some new bodies of water to learn, so we made them out of blue Jell-O.

Scooby Dooby Doooooo

2009-03-05T11:05:00.000-08:00

Here we have a seven year old stuffed dog. Graham has had this since a baby. Nova, in her younger years, thought it was competition and chewed the tail and ears off. Now all you Mommas with children please don't leave me hangin... do you play vet with your kids? Hope I'm not the only one that puts Neosporin and band aids on stuffed toys. We also check temps and hospitalize if we have to. Graham has gotten so advanced with this imaginary play that he makes money to pay the bill and asks about insurance. One particular day band-aids and a cardboard box gurney just wasn't going to cut it. I was asked to participate in surgery. I had to fabricate a new tail and ears. (oh goodness, I should have paid attention when my Mother taught me to sew when I was 12) I found some brown felt and started the process of new extremities (with imaginary anesthesia of coarse). Hannah, then, brought me all the animals and dolls... and shirts in her room that has holes, tears and rips. Needless to say all wounds are fixed and I am out of black thread.

Our New Church

2009-02-23T10:58:00.000-08:00

Here we are at our new church. We have been going to CLA for about 3 months now! We love it. This picture was taken at Christian Life's Family Night. At the beginning of each month, CLA invites all the families to come and have pizza, jump in jumpy things (it's like an indoor fair) and just have a good time. They prepare a skit and teach all the parents what the virtue of the month is. Then we can be informed what our kids will be learning for the month and how to carry it out at home. WHAT A NEAT IDEA! We had a wonderful time and have met lots of new, exciting, loving people. The kids had a BLAST! They count down the days until each Wednesday and Sunday. They are repeating bible verses left and right and having such fun with it!

PUMP it out!

2009-02-23T10:49:00.000-08:00

So--- I have been very diligent on my BowFlex! And loving it! Thank goodness our winter has been very wimpy. As you can see my workout room is practically outside. My kids constantly talk about fitness and muscles. And now, Graham wants to become a bodybuilder first and then go into the military when he grows up. I still can't seem to beat Randy in an arm wrestling contest... but I'm working on it!

A Moon in the Morning

2009-02-17T06:32:00.000-08:00

So this may be common with others, but definitely a first for me. Jordan undressed himself in the bed this morning. He had such a look of pride on his face I couldn't do anything but laugh. I was thankful that this particular morning was just a 'wet' diaper. If he does this with a poo-poo diaper I WON'T be laughing!!!

Happy President's Day!

2009-02-16T15:25:00.000-08:00

The kids made patriotic windsocks in art class today. We are doing a month of recycled art. The cylinders used for the windsocks are a oatmeal, yogurt and dog treat container! Hope your day was full of stars and stripes!

Jesus Loves Me

2009-02-16T15:24:00.001-08:00

And you think you have neck problems...

2009-02-16T15:20:00.000-08:00

I should give this to my chiropractor and he can post it on his wall with a warning on how NOT to let your children sleep!

20 months apart in age... years in getting along!

2009-02-16T15:13:00.000-08:00

The real question here, in this picture, is... how long before she strangled him? I had to threaten Hannah to give Jordan a hug for this pose. It's a love/hate relationship. Hannah can be dominating and Jordan is... well... almost two. Doesn't that spell annoying? The more Jordan talks the better it gets! I'm glad I have proof of them touching without screaming and hitting! (pray for my nerves)

Art Class

2009-01-28T12:43:00.001-08:00

Hannah writes her name

2009-01-28T10:30:00.000-08:00

I'm always bragging on Graham and now here is Hannah's chance to shine. She is writing her name at 3! Hurray! She does so well and I have recently discovered she knows the sounds of all the letters, too. Not to go on for too long about my extremely smart child, but she can also label all the systems of the body, recite history sentences about the colonist and speak in Spanish. You go GIRL!

Diorama of the Battle of Gettysburg

2009-01-26T15:58:00.001-08:00

MVI_0610
Originally uploaded by destiny_ramsey

Graham made a battle scene of Gettysburg for history. He designed almost all of it by himself. (yes that's cotton for smoke) That's General Grant on one side and General Lee on the other. Enjoy... I do, everyday!

Sugar High

2009-01-26T12:41:00.001-08:00

Graham and Hannah made mountains out of Rice Krispies! We are studying mountains in Geography. I assume after all the sugar these two had during this cooking class, this is how they saw the world the rest of the afternoon. To see all the Krispy Mountain pictures go to "My Flickr Collection" at the top right-hand column and click "Rice Krispy Mountains".

You look marvelous

2009-01-26T12:17:00.000-08:00

Okay, okay... before you say anything, can I just say Orlando Bloom! I mean, hello, if it can work for him then it can work for Jordan. Nah, actually this is the persuasion of Jordan's sister, Hannah. She wanted me to put a ponytail in Jordan's hair and change his name to Jessica. So I did and they held hands and had tea. It was wonderful in imagination land until Daddy came home. Daddy wasn't seeing the whole Hannah-having-a-sister-imagination-thing very well!

These are NOT cookies

2009-01-26T12:11:00.000-08:00

Yes- they look cookies and we mistakingly made them around Christmas time. This was a science project. We were studing systems of the body. Can you find digestion?

It Snowed Today!!!

2009-01-20T10:10:00.000-08:00

Like teenagers again...

2009-01-20T07:53:00.000-08:00

It was family night at the Skate USA. We rolled in with high hopes of not busting our booties on the floor. Everyone did really well. Hannah even cried to put her skates back on once we took them off. Randy and I got to skate around a few times holding hands. It was like I was 16 again, skating with the cutest boy in the school. He said I was the only girl he ever skated with. Was that a cheap line? I felt young again. The next morning... not so young! (oh my legs)

Skate USA

2009-01-20T06:17:00.000-08:00

Jordan skating

2009-01-20T06:15:00.001-08:00

MVI_0572
Originally uploaded by destiny_ramsey

This went over much better than the ice skates back in November in Gatlinburg! He never fussed and really tried to get the hang of it!

My Life as a Target

2009-01-20T05:34:00.001-08:00

MVI_0549
Originally uploaded by destiny_ramsey

Here's a sneak peek at what it's like to live with boys and guns!

Park Time

2009-01-20T05:14:00.000-08:00

Here are some random park pictures. We sure have been taking advantage of the warm winter weather and going outside a lot. I say that as it snows outside right now... but it will be 60 on Friday. Stupid weather! So, all these were taken at Seven Oaks, our favorite park. It's just down the street. Hopefully Graham will be playing baseball there is the spring. The kids are growing so fast. I love the picture of Jordan imitating Graham on the field. He is starting to look up to his big bro and do what he does... uh-oh! That could be a disaster!

Happy New Year!!!

2009-01-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

We picked Graham up from a long visit with his Grandparents, on New Year's day. He was disappointed that he didn't get to stay up late and party with fireworks on New Year's Eve, so we brought him a little celebration on the way home. Next year, he's with us and we will silly string it up real good... Promise Graham!!!

Christmas Morning

2008-12-30T17:11:00.000-08:00

Graham, Hannah and Jordan had a wonderful Christmas. They got lots of wonderful things. Graham is fully decked out with military weapons, vehicles, uniforms and even a small plastic army. Hannah was blessed with all cooking and dressing up things and Jordan was happy with the paper and boxes(?) I will say I went to a lot of trouble picking out specific gifts for each child and with Hannah and Jordan... their gifts were as different as night and day. By Christmas night Hannah was on the floor fully engrossed with Jordan's roaring dinosaur and Jordan was running around the house pushing Hannah's baby doll stroller... go figure!

*See all Christmas photos in "My Flickr Collection", top righthand colum

Christmas Eve Party

2008-12-28T05:42:00.000-08:00

This was at a 'famous' Christmas Eve party that we have not been a part of for years. Randy is very close with a group of special people... The Boones. They have always treated both of us like family. We haven't been to their Christmas Eve party in 6 years, but we tried to make up for lost time. We had so much fun! We were glad to be back!!!

"This Man Called Jesus"

2008-12-22T06:44:00.000-08:00

We went to a play called "This Man Called Jesus". It is held by a local church and thousands of people attend every year. The church does it free of charge. It is a reenactment of the Birth, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. There is lots of singing and even real animals on stage. Afterwards, we went outside and met the famous camel, Eli... the second star of the show!

Girlie Gifts

2008-12-22T06:42:00.001-08:00

A couple of presents that may not fit under your tree!

Lights at the Zoo

2008-12-22T06:37:00.000-08:00

We went to see the lights at the zoo. Surprisingly, a lot of the animals were awake. The lights were beautiful and festive.

Gettin' frisky with a toy soldier

2008-12-22T06:34:00.000-08:00

Me and Bobbi checking out the toy soldiers!

Lights at the Zoo

2008-12-21T19:16:00.000-08:00

It's snoaping

2008-12-21T19:03:00.000-08:00

Now that was my kind of snow! It was wasn't cold! Probably because it wasn't snow, it was soap. At the entrance into the zoo, they had two bubbly-snow machine blowing full swing. The kids loved it until the looked up with there mouths open to catch a 'flake'... ug, ug, choke, cough! Blaaaa!

Bring home the Ramsey Christmas Tree...

2008-12-16T10:54:00.000-08:00

This is our first tree in 10 years (long, sad story). We were so excited to pick one out. The kids had so much fun running through the trees. Randy about had a heart attack when he was hit with the price. You see, the last time we bought a tree they were 20 bucks. So, needless to say, we were not used to coming home with a tree strapped to roof of the suburban. And well....

Our Thanksgiving Trip to Gatlinburg, TN

2008-12-06T12:57:00.001-08:00

We piled all the kids into the car and bunked in a beautiful cabin in Gatlinburg Tennessee for Thanksgiving. We had so much fun and it went by way too fast. It was a much needed mini vacation and we even saw snow.

Nova hunkers down for a long road trip

2008-12-06T12:38:00.000-08:00

Here you see Nova, our chocolate mutt. She had the option of sprawling on 3/4 of the backseat, but no! She squeezed herself in between the two captains chairs and buried her face in Graham's book bag. She's such a nut. That is where she stayed for the 4 and 1/2 hour car ride up to the mountains!

Our Fabulous Cabin

2008-12-06T12:34:00.000-08:00

A Pioneer Thanksgiving Feast

2008-12-05T20:22:00.001-08:00

The whole reason for going to Gatlinburg was to celebrate Thanksgiving and have dinner in a cabin, in the woods... Pioneer style. This is my second attempt to fix a whole Thanksgiving dinner by myself for my family. Last year was super healthy and vegetarian (I made a Tofurky). This year I did make everything from scratch, just not so whole grainish and tofuey. I made Indian Corn Pudding and homemade cranberry sauce. The kids, of course, hated everything. Randy and I enjoyed our dinner and Thanksgiving fish. Yes, Pioneers had fish at the big feast! Mr. Turkey was happy to not be on this table, deep fried. However, I did buy turkey gravy in the jar, for Randy, to put on his mashed potatoes. (Good Wife points, let me tell ya)

Vegetarian Bear Skinned Rug

2008-12-05T20:11:00.000-08:00

So, this is somewhat of an inside joke. Randy and I have always said that when the children go to bed we would make a fire and feed other strawberries... and so on. Well, Randy would always say "on a bear skinned rug, of coarse!" When we got to our cabin and saw this 'toy' bear skinned rug, we simply had to improvise for a candid shot. Obviously it was not big enough to rest on and gaze into the gas-timed fire. Although, I do prefer the vegetarian version and will have to find a larger one for my home. (No bears were harmed in the making of this picture :)

Eating Snow

2008-12-05T15:20:00.001-08:00

Instructions for making a snowball

2008-12-05T15:17:00.000-08:00

Snow in Gatlinburg

2008-12-05T15:15:00.001-08:00

102 degree hot tub in 33 degree weather!

2008-12-05T14:43:00.000-08:00

He robs from the rich to give to the poor

2008-12-05T14:27:00.000-08:00

Now ladies, don't be jealous because I have my own, personal Robin Hood! It's just something I have truly been blessed with!

Cabin Fun

2008-12-05T13:56:00.001-08:00

Ripley's Museum

2008-12-05T05:55:00.000-08:00

We went to Ripley's Museum to get in from the cold. It was... interesting to say the least. We saw a "real" mermaid and felt how heavy a ball and chain was!

The Whole Fam on Skates!

2008-12-05T05:48:00.000-08:00

This was super fun and a nightmare all at the same time. I didn't know they made skates so small. Jordan acted like he wanted to try it out. When we got out there he would NOT put his feet down. He just curled up in a ball and freaked out. Hannah was majorly tired and it was way past nap time. They actually both ended up passing out on the bench so Randy and I took turns skating with Graham.

Momma and Graham shavin' some ice

2008-12-05T05:35:00.000-08:00

Graham did so good. He went around several times and even by himself. He would have loved to stay and skate all day.

Please can I, Momma...

2008-12-05T05:31:00.000-08:00

We always hit the candy and fudge stores when we go to Gatlinburg. The kids had a hay day and their head literally spun off when the walked in. They suddenly became the sweetest children on the planet and would do whatever we asked if we just let them have some candy!

Graham the pool shark

2008-12-05T05:15:00.000-08:00

We had a pool table in our house. Graham learned how to play. He loved it. Now all we hear is how we need to buy a pool table for our house.

Tree Fort Part 2

2008-12-04T05:15:00.001-08:00

Thankful for LOVE!

2008-11-27T15:57:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T15:56:00.001-08:00

I am thankful for my Hubby and my beautiful children!

Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T15:50:00.000-08:00

We went to Marie's for Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time and I definitely ate way too much. We were blessed with gorgeous weather! Hope everyone a restful, delicious, thankful day!