Picture of the Week

This is my Gracie girl.  One of her favorite things to do is take pictures.  For this one, she set it up and asked me to take her picture with her babies.  Gracie has spent the last 3 weeks as an only child while Logan has been in Salyersville, and I think she will have a difficult time adjusting to sharing my time with him once he's home. 

Makin' a Splash

On the first official day of our vacation we went to SomerSplash Water Park in Somerset.  This was added long after I left Somerset, and the only time I've seen it was in the building stage.  I thought we'd have fun and I knew the kids would enjoy it.

I wasn't sure if Logan would do any of the slides.  He has been known to be timid sometimes when trying new things, but Logan, Jessica, Dalton, and I walked up all the steps (all...the...steps) and stood at the top of a set of three slides trying to figure out which slide to go down.  I suggested Logan take the yellow slide, since it seemed to be the level one stage.  He surprised me my going right on down.  I could watch him from the top and saw his huge grin as he came around the first time and heard him talking and laughing the second time I saw him.  I followed him down and remembered how much fun it was.

At the bottom, both he and Dalton were eager to go again so we walked back up all the steps (all...the...steps).  Logan took the red one this time, which was level two of three and loved it again.  I was so surprised, but so delighted!  We rejoined the group after this and spent some time in the wave pool, which I didn't care for.  Personally, I like it fine - trying to make sure my kids aren't drowning, I didn't like it at all.  I convinced Grace and Breanna that we should go to the kiddie pool/play area.  There were three little slides (which were actually pretty fun for adults too) and a lot of water shooting things surrounded by a pretty shallow pool.  The girls, and even the boys, had a blast.

This is where Grace surprised me, though.  Jessica and I were sitting in the water watching the kids play and Grace ducks her head right under and swims over to me.  What?!  And she did it over and over again.  I was so proud of her.  I have no idea where she learned it since it wasn't something they covered in the swim class, but she has done it since in deeper water, so I know it's for real.  What a fish!

Jessica and I then went around the lazy river a couple of times.  While we were there we saw Becky, Dalton, Kaleb, and Logan in line for the slide where you swirl around in the bowl before shooting out the bottom.  We decided to go there next, but as we're walking up the steps we can't find Logan and the gang so we assumed we'd missed them.  Not so!  All of a sudden Becky and Kaleb shoot into the bowl on a double tube, followed next by Logan and Dalton.  We got to watch them swirl around and see their big grins, which is funny since that's the only way we could've seen them.

We finished the day with more play time in the kiddie area and went home tired and hungry.  It was a great day. 

Top Five Favorite Meals

The following are some meals that I'm always happy to see:

1. Hibachi style Japanese with steak and sometimes shrimp - when I used to go to Myrtle Beach with Julia's family over summer break, we always ate at this delicious Japanese place.  I've long since forgotten what it's called, but it started my love affair.  Joey and I found a little place between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg that is also entertaining and delicious that we stop at every time we're there.  And nowadays, I eat it at least once a month because across the street from my building in downtown Charlotte is Tin Tin, a to go Hibachi style restaurant. 
2. Mom's Beef Stew - I have no idea where her recipe originated, but I love it.  When I was growing up we got to choose what dinner to have for our birthday.  This was my regular choice, along with sweet corn muffins.  Closely following mom's beef stew is her pot roast, but they're both beef, carrots, and potatoes, so they're stuck together in the number two slot.
3. Grilled hot dogs, Joey's moms baked beans, and my homemade potato salad - if we're grilling, I'm going to choose the hot dog over the hamburger.  I love them burnt and kind of puffy.  And for a side you must have Joey's moms baked beans.  I've recently learned how to make them and they turn out pretty well, but it always tastes better from her kitchen.  The perfect accompaniment is my own potato salad, with potatoes, eggs, and bacon.  Yum.
4. Stouffer's Lasagna with Meat & Sauce - I've heard a rumor that people actually make their own lasagna.  I can't imagine why when this is so delicious, and it doesn't get easier to make than taking it out of the freezer and putting it in the oven.  This has a perfect amount of cheese and gets nice and crispy on top.  If I buy the party size, then there are leftovers too.  Win win, right?
5. Tacos - I love them from Taco Bell or made at home with a kit from Old El Paso.  I like them crunchy with ground beef, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, and a good dollop of sour cream and with a side of refried beans.  Grace has followed in my tastes in this area and will eat 2 or 3 when I make them, but no tomatoes for her.  While she'll eat them off a vine, she doesn't want them on her taco.

So those are some of my faves.  Excuse me while I go wipe the drool off my chin...

Walk Down Memory Lane

On the last day of my recent vacation in Bronston, KY I decided it was time to do some exploring of my old stomping grounds.  I took Logan, Grace, and my niece Breanna along for the ride.

Our first stop was at Haney's Appledale Farm.  It's an apple farm (obviously) that has been around probably longer than me.  We used to take field trips there to pick apples when I was little.  I really wanted some apples, but apparently peaches are in season now.  So I got a bag of those and some apple butter (which Joey has eaten almost all of).

First we went to my dad's grave site.  He's buried in Mill Springs National Cemetery in Nancy, KY since he fought in Vietnam.  Although I think fought isn't really the right word.  To the best of my knowledge (and it's not too great in the first place) I don't think he did any actual fighting.  I could be wrong though. 

Anywho, I took pictures of the headstone and the kids and then we wandered around the cemetery a bit.  Logan thought it was pretty cool to look at the old headstones, some of which even had pictures on them.

I also found a registry that lists all the people buried.  And found dad on it.

After we were done looking around (and thankfully avoided the coming rain) we headed to McDonald's for a quick lunch and some playtime in the Play Place.  After that we stopped by Wildcat Warehouse because I have wanted something UK to go on the back of my car.  We left with a UK magnet and a t-shirt for Logan.  As soon as we got in the car it began pouring rain.  And pouring doesn't even do it justice.  You couldn't even see to drive...but I did anyway. 

Our next stop was at the house I grew up in.

A lot has changed since I lived there - we didn't have a garage or a fenced in back yard (although we didn't need a fenced in back yard, either).  There used to be bigger bushes in front of the house and one is now missing.  We also used to have a rhododendron to the right of the garage.  And you'll have to excuse the minor blurriness of the picture - it was still raining.

Then we went to my friend Robyn's new salon.  I didn't take any pictures, but it was super cute.  Very clean and fresh feeling.  Robyn offers pedicures and manicures, as well as spray tanning.  I'm so proud of her.

This concluded our day out in Somerset.  It's so strange to go back to the place where you spent 20 something years of your life and see the changes.  But I guess I've changed too, so it's only fair.

Quote of the Week

There is only one way to happiness, and that is to cease worrying things which are beyond the power of our will.

Epictetus

Picture of the Week

This is me and my momma.  One of the fifth grade teachers, Mrs. Barnett (?), led a hike up Mt. LeConte each year.  We went along with Robyn and her mom, Joey Wilson, and I don't remember who else.  Funny enough, Joey (my husband) and I stayed in a cabin in Gatlinburg after graduating from college and our view was of Mt. LeConte.

No pros here...

While we were on vacation at Woodsen Bend Resort in Bronston, KY Joey wanted to do some golfing.  Not playing 18 holes or anything, but hitting a bucket of balls on the driving range.  We finally got it together and Joey, Kelly, Dalton, and I drove down the road to the pro shop where I got 2 buckets of balls and the privilege of borrowing a cart to get Joey to the driving range (it was more of a walk than we expected).  The following are some pictures of their fun.

Joey taking a swing.

Kelly's about to shoot into the trees on the right.

Dalton trying it out.

Showing Dalton how it's done.

All the men (don't ask what Kelly's up to - I don't know).

The wild turkeys we saw on the way to the driving range...

and the deer that walked right in front of my car as I was leaving.