Cousinpalooza 2010

We had a wonderful family reunion in east Tennessee this week of Scott's family. We got together on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and did lots of great eating (Texas brisket, Carnegie Deli pastrami, homegrown tomatoes, green beans, and more!) We visited and watched old movies and did a lot of catching up. It was really wonderful to see everyone and hope it's sooner rather than later when we get together again. Blair is sitting with her sweet Aunt Mary Ellen showing her all that is in her purse.

Tire swinin'

Aunt Becky had a gorgeous new fire pit built for our get together. We put it to good use on Saturday evening and made smores. You can tell that Blair enjoyed hers.

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!