Doing some Tractor Ridin'

The Many Faces of Blair

The children and I traveled on to east Tennessee after our visit to Chattanooga. We spent the week at mamaw and papaw's. Blair is ready to go with papaw on a walk in the woods in one picture and pretty as a princess n the other. Unfortunately, Blake came down with a little virus so he spent most of his time on Mamaw's lap or on the couch.

Tennessee Aquarium

Uncle David and Aunt Harumi took us to the aquarium in Chattanooga for Blake and Blair's birthday. We had a lot of fun! Thanks Uncle David and Aunt Harumi!

They had a beautiful butterfly garden at the aquarium. Both of the children got to hold a friendly little Monarch. They thought that was particularly neat.

Sunday we decided to go to Rock City. We wanted to go to the Children's Museum but it didn't open until noon. Had a nice time. Glad we went.

"Seeing 7 States"

Blake and Daddy at "Lover's Leap" at Rock City.

Happy 4th of July

We've had a relaxing but fun weekend. Spent a lot of time at the pool. They had games and fun stuff for the kids to do today. Headed out to watch some fireworks.

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.

Hollywood Take II

Blair LOVES sunglasses!

Summer Fun has Begun

We met our friends the Websters at the zoo yesterday. Had fun playing and being together.

Included are some pictures of our babies over the past few years.

Last Day of School

When did he get to be so big? Blair doesn't love her big brother a bit!! I think Blake going to Kindergarten is going to be hardest for Blair. She's been telling me for a month that I am going to miss "them" when "they" go to Kindergarten. We visited his school on Wednesday and had lunch with a friend. He was a little overwhelmed. On the way home from church the other night Scott said that Blake was trying to get Blair to say the name of his new school. She was having some trouble and he said, "Don't worry Blair you will be able to say it when your big enough to go to school, but you're not big enough now. It's a little scary."