An update

No pictures to post just yet but here's what we've been up to.

We've had VBS this week. We've gone on a "Galactic Blast" so our church has space stuff everywhere. There are cutouts of astronauts in our foyer and we put our pastor's pictures on them. The other evening I said to Blair to tell Pastor Brian good night. She did and as we walked by the cut outs she said, "Look, a "pastornaut." How's that for wit from a three year old?

Scott and I ran a 5K last Saturday. I have been running for a couple of months now. I am training to run in the Women's half-marathon in September. Scott has bought a bike and has really found that he enjoys biking. Who would have thought!?

Blake and Blair have been taking swimming lessons this week. Blake is doing great and seems to be building his confidence in the water. Blair, well, she was basically swimming last summer. We decided to get lessons for her and she is definitely swimming. She is even diving to get objects from the bottom of the shallow end.

Blake started taking piano lessons. He is really excited and it doesn't hurt that he has a little crush on his teacher!

A Trip to the Grandparents

After our trip to Gatlinburg, mom and dad took the children home with them for TWO WEEKS. That's right! They got to spend time with Nana too. It was really nice to spend some time getting things done around here and having time for just Scott and me. We are so blessed to have willing and capable parents to provide us with a break every now and then. Blake and Blair had such a good time. They went to the Barter theater to see a children's play, the Hands On Museum, worked in the garden, played in the pool, went to the park and got spoiled!

Great Clips at the Sounds Game

We took Blake and Blair to see the sounds game. The Great Clips car was there and "Suds". Blair HATES things in costume and immediately wrapped herself around my leg.

The hike to Laurel Falls is two miles round trip. Blake and Blair discovered lots of interesting things along the way and there are several good views.

Blair decided she had heard enough from the ranger and set out to decorating her paper.

Is your sense of smell better than a bears?

It was getting close to nap time. In case you couldn't tell!

We decided to take a little trip to the mountains a couple of weeks ago. We took the kids to Splash Country. They had a ball! Didn't take any pictures there. Just decided to enjoy the day without the camera. The next day my parents joined us and we decided to get away from the "jukeboxes and jugglers" of Gatlinburg. We hiked to Laurel Falls (a very kid friendly little trek). We went early as it can get super crowded there. Then we headed to Cades Cove. Drove the loop and stopped at the visitors center. We picked up a Junior Ranger booklet for Blake and participated in the "Junior Ranger" ranger led program-Animal Olympics. Blair lost interest quickly as it was a bit over her head, but Blake hung with it. We can complete the book at our own pace and the next time we're there they will swear him in as a Junior Ranger. A bit cheesy, I know! Steve, Christy and Scott would tell you that I am the one that needs to be getting her Junior Ranger badge as I serve as narrator on our trips! The Farmstead was interesting and in all of the times I have been there I haven't ever stopped. The highlight of the trip was of course a mama black bear. Caught a glimpse of the cub but didn't get a picture.