Lake Winne

Lake Winnie...one of those great amusement parks that parents can get in cheap if they don't want to go on rides...and a really fun day for the kids

 They love the snacks too...not sure a 'real' meal was had that day.

 Posing on the carousel

 Tanner has waited 4 years to ride these bumper cars...who would have thought you ad to be 48" to ride the bumper cars

 He was tired and not feeling well...

 ...but he could still ride the bumper cars

 I eventually had to carry him to the van, he was getting heat exhaustion. He slept in the van with the AC for about 45 minutes and then he was back to normal and ready to go...on the bumper cars 5 more times

Great friends having a fun time together.

And the bumper cars again...

Early September

Yes, those are sheep on my front lawn. Why, you ask? I would love to say there is a good reason for this...or even a reasonable answer. However it is just because the fence was broken by the steers we have and the sheep can now get out.

 I had been trying to sell the steers for awhile and just work with the smaller animals but I didn't have much luck. Later in September I was chasing them from the neighbors yard and barn every day...sometimes twice. So one day when the neighbor called to tell me they were 'visiting' again he offered to buy them and just keep them. Even though I lost money on it I gained peace of mind...so I jumped on that deal.

 I got a new smartphone in September and needed to put a picture on the front screen. I wanted one of my kids so I asked them to pose. These are just a few of the shots that I got.

 They didn't try very hard here...

 ...actually I think these silly pictures were their goal.

 Sweet sisters making faces...priceless

 Family Home Evening...We have a lesson and sing songs and then a fun activity with a snack. This night we were playing poker for candy. I even got a bonus lesson in on the bad points of gambling...even for candy.

 They really did have a lot of fun though.

Blue Ribbon winner at the county fair. Madison won First place for a painting and a pencil drawing. Morgan won First place for jewelry and chocolate covered macaroons, Second for peanut butter cookies, Third for chocolate chip, pencil drawing and corn muffins

Wednesday night at church

 I know...you're wondering what this is all about. This was an activity we did with the girls at church one wednesday night...Toilet paper wedding dresses.

 One girl is the model and one is the designer.

 There was a lot of creativity going on in the room that night.

All of their efforts were fantastic and everyone had a great time.

A summer hike

 I took the kids hiking one Saturday at Laurel Snow. This is called a 'pocket wilderness' created by the local paper company.

 It was a beautiful day in the shade of the trees and we had a nice hike.

 There are so many huge rock formations.

 There had been a coal mine here at one time. The kids wanted to go inside,but were a little afraid when they heard rustling sounds.

 Aren't they just adorable?

 I took lots of pictures of the stream and the rocks. It just amazes me how huge some of them are.

 We stopped to eat lunch...

 ...and then they swam.

 The water was ice cold. Our feet turned red and were numb within minutes.

 This doesn't happen often...gotta get the picture of it while I can.

Morgan wasn't going to go in because it was so cold.  When she stood up to put her shoes back on she slipped and fell in. She was the only one NOT dressed to swim.

August

 I took Morgan out for a evening in the city early in August when Tanner and Madison were with their dad. We went to dinner at her favorite restaurant then walked to the movie theater. She had a great time going somewhere new even if it was just diner and a movie.

 On our way to Ben & Jerry's after the movie we saw the moon. She had been waiting for the 'blue moon' for months. It didn't look blue really until we took a picture.

 I came across this while preparing this post and thought I would include it. I took pictures of the house to show a friend awhile back and realized that I rarely post what the inside of the house looks like. This picture was taken just outside the foyer with a view of the living room and dining room

 We spent quite a few Friday nights at the Drive-in Movie this summer. The price was good for 2 movies and the kids love the snacks. They have a playground down front for the kids to pay in while you wait for dusk.

 I just love seeing my kids playing together.

 We usually get there 90 minutes before the movie starts...so we can get a good spot. That is a long time to play on the playground. I just wish they would all be able to stay awake for both movies. We all usually miss a portion of the second one.

 This is Sadie. We brought her home from a flea market at the end of June. She is a Basset Hound/Terrier mix. She is absolutely sweet and very smart. I planned to let her in the house, but she has decided she would rather be outside...she lets me know that by peeing on my floor within 5 minutes of being inside. I think she just likes to run around with the big dogs.

 She really is the sweetest dog. Not really sure who won this staring contest.

She really does the 'sad basset hound' look well.  This is the look that makes me want to bring her in.

More July

 I gave up and went back to a smart phone in July and needed a new wall picture so I had these two pose for me

 They looked really cute...

 ...till they decided to make crazy faces.

 We spent a number of days visiting with our friends that moved to Knoxville.

 They live in an apartment complex that has a pool and we enjoyed spending the morning out in the sun at the pool.

 The kids decided to play chicken and the new phone has an a awesome camera that can rapid click. When I click through these on my computer it is like watching an old movie...really cool

 Not really sure who won...but everyone had a great time.

 I got these two pictures on my way home one night. That tree line is along my creek.

 It was so beautiful I just had to get a picture...I am just surprised that the picture came out so well.

Yes, that is mold. It was sort of a science experiment. We made some french toast one morning and Tanner didn't get up right away so I put it on a plate with a deep plate on top. Being July it was warm in the house. I forgot about it and got busy with other things that day. Later in the evening when I saw it again I decided to let it go and see how long it takes to mold and what it would look like and use it for biology. That is two days on the counter...the kids were disgusted and very sorry that I wasted the french toast.