Whew....a busy week

We had a rather busy week last week.....hence, no posting from me! Sunday, the 20th, our "baby" turned toddler...now he's entered the "terribly exciting" twos! It was such a gorgeous day that we stopped by a park downtown for a quick photo session. The kids cooperated very well, but the camera lens apparently had a smudge on it. ugh! Anyway....

here are my two favorite little boys

my three favorite kids!

a couple mounted police were clip-cloping by on the street and decided to let the kids meet the horses

after I showed Caleb how to "smell" the flowers for the pictures, he proceeded to snort at many of the flowers! It was hilarious!

Happiest....with my family around me!

My four favorite people on the planet!

Lauren takes a turn with the camera....not bad for 7!

After Sunday dinner. it was time for presents. Once he opened his "baskie" no other presents mattered!

And yes...it's half as big as he is, but he lugs it all over the house anyway.

The older brother and sister each bought and wrapped a box of orange Tic Tacs...bought with their own allowance $$

Trying my hand at cake decorating! He was thrilled!

Tuesday, the 22nd, I had a little morning play date party for Caleb. He had fun playing with Katrin, Elliot, and Elizabeth. I, of course, had fun chatting with the Moms.

Waiting for cake......

Katrin E. and Elizabeth M.

The 22nd was also Chris's birthday too. He had the fun of assembling his own birthday present from me.....a new grill.

Thursday evening, was the Aldersgate Academy's Spring Program. Lauren and Michael were both in the Grades 1-4 choir. They sang a cute song called "Nursery Rhyme Nonsense". The kids were encouraged to pick a character from the song and dress up.

One guy decided the Enquirer was more interesting I guess. He read it the whole time. I never did decide which kid he was there to see....he never put the paper down. He even remembered to bring a bottle of Pepsi to quench his thirst periodically.

Lauren dressed up like little Polly Flinders.....the song said she put her cat in the well......so here she is with the cat

Michael wanted to be the cow that jumped over the moon.

Friday night, we joined friends Jenn and Katrin for a fun time at the park near their house.

3 kids having a grand time!

Saturday evening our churches' Young Adult class had a cookout. We are SO blessed to be part of such an awesome group of young people/married couples. It's always so fun to sit and chat, play games, share a devotional, and of course....eat!

Sunday evening, the grill was finally ready for a "test drive"! Chris grilled delicious hamburgers. I'm so glad I got him that grill......lol!

So, that's the news from Lake Wobegon! We hope to finish homeschooling this week, so I might be able to do a little better at blogging. Although I have LOTS of plans for my free time!!!

We escaped to the Great Smoky Mountains last week! We had been planning this vacation since Christmas. The trip was a birthday surprise for my Dad. He had been wanting to go to the Smokies for years. We left Tuesday morning and came back Friday afternoon.



One of the welcome centers that the kids love...they offer free popcorn and sodas.

Our cabin in Pigeon Forge. It had three king size suites with jacuzzis. My parents took the top floor and sitting loft, the kids took the main floor, and Chris and I had the bottom floor and game room.

A view of the loft. The cabin had a spacious airy feel...very nice.

The kids were thrilled to see the pool table.....

The first day, my parents were still getting over their colds, so they stayed at the cabin with Caleb while Chris and I took Lauren and Michael to "Wild Woodys"....a three-story go-cart track. It's hard to say who had the most fun...us or the kids!!

Michael at the wheel....look out!

Lauren coming around the bend

Michael right behind her....

Lauren LOVED this airplane ride.....made me almost dizzy to watch her!

Ready and waiting for the Dixie Stampede.

Thursday we went in Gatlinburg for a little shopping. On a whim, we decided to stop by an indoor Putt Putt course and had a great time playing guys against the gals!

Lauren was thrilled she got a hole in one. Just as notable....it was my Mom's first time to play putt putt ever!

Caleb LOVED the game of course! We kept him busy with a hole just ahead or behind us! Even if the hole was on a slope, he wouldn't give up until he had gotten his ball in the hole! It was so fun to watch him!

When he finally succeeded, he would have the biggest grin on his face as he annonced to everybody "I got it!"

Thursday, we also spent some time driving through some of the National Park. It was just beautiful.....in spite of the cloudy sky!

As I mentioned, my parents were battling colds when we left. By the time we came home, my Mom was very sick. Saturday she finally went to the Dr. and found out she had pneumonia. Caleb was sick the whole vacation with the flu, but he too got worse when we got home. Over the weekend, Chris and I both got VERY sick. Monday, Caleb, Michael and I all went to the Dr. I have Bronchitus, Caleb has an ear infection and horrible cough, Michael just has a cough. Chris is on the mend and Lauren apperently is the healthiest of all....she never got sick. She was the family nurse...getting tissues, drinks, pills, you name it!

Now I have piles of laundry that have been accumulating for a week, so I better run! Hope everyone has gotten some of the beautiful weather we've been enjoying the past couple days. It has been so nice to have the windows open and fresh air blowing in.