Blueberries!

We finally had some time to go pick blueberries!

We were going to go Monday night for FHE, but it just doesn't cool down that early. So, we got up early this morning to pick before the heat of the day. Natalie's friend, who was spending the day gave us an extra pair of hands.I've been wanting to go for two weeks and should have gone earlier. There were slimmer pickings, but still plenty for the taking. Usually there are just gobs all together, where now we had to look a bit harder for the ripe ones.It seemed to take forever to even fill one bucket, but when I check the time it had only been 1/2 hour. Time enough to pick a second bucket!There will definitely be another blueberry picking trip - can't miss the late season varieties. And, I need my year supply!
Our blueberry bushes need a few more years before they are producing well enough, until then we are happy to go to the berry farm!

Birthday Boy Again

Today we had Jake's friend party. It was so hard to keep guests to a number I could handle, especially with school friends added this year to the people Jake wanted to invite. He had a really hard time making his list - he always wants to include everyone!

The river has gotten lower and it was perfect for playing in. And, can you believe it, I had the camera in my pocket the whole time we were at the river and didn't take one shot!
After an hour in the water, we came back up for cake, ice cream, and gifts.
Jake wanted a Lego cake. With such bold frosting colors and red or blue Kool-Aid to drink, we checked to see how colored everyone's mouths got.I think Natalie was the winner - imagine that! :)
I love how excited Jake, and all of his friends, got when opening presents. It great to see such enjoyment out of little things.
Have a great year Jake! We love you!

The Winner

When Jake and I got for walks around the neighborhood, we usually race around each of the cul-de-sacs. He usually "wins." Yesterday he rode the scooter on our walk and we raced. The third cul-de-sac (there are four - one we do twice) I beat him. I whooped it up and cheered. He laughed. He had slowed down after half way through because he thought he was beating me by a lot, but then had to go up hill at the end and I passed him by.

When we got to the last cul-de-sac on our walk, and were getting ready to race, looked confused and said "we didn't go down Nicholas' street" (a friend who lives on the road of the race I won). I said "yes we did, remember, I won the race." Then he said "oh yeah. I just don't remember the races I don't win."

Now THAT is a great winner's attitude!(He "won" the race around the last cul-de-sac.)

How Tall Is Logan?

Logan is almost three. How much has he grown?

Not as tall as Alyssa.Not as tall as the rocking horse. (That is one big rocking horse!)Not as tall as the tomatoes.

But at least he is taller than the zucchini and basil!

Maybe by his birthday in August those will be taller than him as well.

Storm's A Comin'

. . . we hope.
(photo by Alyssa)

Happy 6th Birthday, Jake!

We made it back from vacation in time for Jake's birthday.

He picked French Breakfast Puffs for breakfast.
I took him to lunch (of chips and queso) at Barberitos. He had gotten a coupon, at school, for a free cheese dip (it's what they call queso in GA) and has been excited to use it.
While we were gone, the girls surprised him by decorated his bedroom door with "balloons". They even helped Logan make a couple.He wanted hamburgers for dinner and a chocolate cake with a white smiley face on it.Jake is all into building and wanted a Lego birthday this year (that will be the cake at the friend party).
The family got him a big container of Legos and a castle. The castle required "some assembly," and an hour later (maybe more, I lost track of time) it was done!
Happy Birthday, Jake!

On The Road Again!

Our vacation finally came to an end. We left early in the morning for our 12 hour drive home - yes, 12 hours.

To keep Logan happy, we sometime let him look through the pictures on the camera. He has also learned to take pictures. After deleting about 20 of them (love the digital camera), I did keep this one he took out the window.I thought the signs for the bridges in Arkansas (and a couple of other states) were funny: "bridge may ice in cold weather" (not specifically "winter"). In Georgia we have some signs that say: "bridge may be ice in winter" (that has never made sense to me - being to much the literal chemist - the bridge may be icy, it may have ice on it, but it is not ice. You'd think they could change one letter. Or the sign in Houston: "nature preserve pending development"- but I digress).

Robert told us we would be passing by Talladega. The movie "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" being a favorite - if only for the prayer and the name of the two boys: Walker and Texas Ranger - warranted pictures.The flags at the race track.
The trip when very smoothly - especially with no video option (the DVD player on the computer broke on our way out to MO from VA). Going into it I had felt ok about driving the 12 hours by myself, with the kids, but it was great that it did all work out.
And so, after 2 1/2 weeks - our driving, starting in Georgia, took us through:
South Carolina
North Carolina
Virginia
West Virginia
Kentucky
Indiana
Illinois
Missouri
Arkansas
Tennessee
Mississippi
and
Alabama
Then we saw this:
It's good to be home!

Arkansas

After spending a week in Missouri, we headed a bit further south to my sister's in Arkansas. Again we brought rain with us - and again, mostly just storming during the night. Although we were only there for a few days. We had a blast.

We spent Monday at a lake. I say "a" lake, because they live in the Ozarks and there are many lakes. During the day we went to the swimming area. There were breaks for snacks. There was also a huge pile of sand (probably to build up the beach area, but they hadn't spread it out yet) and the kids had fun digging in it. We headed back home for dinner and then after went back to the lake again with the boat (Randy had gotten back from work). We went out in two shifts. Randy found a little inlet and stopped to let the kids jump in and swim around. The first day we got there, Logan saw the boat in the garage and was THRILLED to get a ride in it. Once we didn't know where he was and found him in the garage looking at the boat!The next day we went to the Old Spanish Treasure Cave.The treasure is still yet to be found, but you can see cool cave formations and tour through some of the tunnels.Our guide, the owner of the cave, told us a lot about the history, evidence that there is treasure there, and cool stories about experiences he has had exploring tunnels and finding new caverns. On our drive back to Georgia, Jake kept saying how fun it was to go to the cave and that that was the best day.
In between the lake and cave, the cousins played - inside
and out. Logan was really cute with Jaclyn. They were eating popsicles and Logan sat right next to Jaclyn, watching her every move. If she moved, he moved. If she licked, he licked.Every morning the first thing Logan would ask for was the trains. The first thing Jake would talk about was how he had thought of a way to get past parts of Lego Star Wars on the Wii.
Once again we had to leave cousins, when we could have easily stayed longer. Good thing we'll see them again in July as well.

Where was I?

Oh yeah, trying to catch up on my blog posts for our vacation!

I've posted about the beginning of our week in MO, here is the rest:
We brought the rain from Virginia to Missouri - but it held off during the day, for most of the week, only storming at night. And some great storms they were!!We did get to my parent's neighborhood pool almost every day. They filled in the baby pool, this year, putting in a fountain system. It was perfect for Logan.The weather was a bit cooler than we were use to, but that didn't stop the kids from having fun - and warming up in the sun.We had to make a stop into Cabela's. The outdoor adventure began in the parking lot with ducks that almost ate out of the kids' hands (peanuts from the car). We then went inside to look around, play at the shooting gallery, and picking up some fudge and pretzels. Logan was happy to have another one of his addictions satisfied! Since we don't have a Cabela's in Georgia (probably a good thing) we stock up when we can.

We went with my mom to the train museum in Kansas City. It was really cool - and even better that we were the only ones in the exhibit! Most people got to the other museum areas they have in the same building.The kids got to practice driving a train (simulation), walk around an actual train car and engine (they are BIG), and learn a lot about the history of the railroad - very interesting.
Logan was in train heaven! After having lunch, we saw the 3-D "Fly Me To The Moon" movie they had there. Logan kept his glasses on most of the time, but got too nervous. Jake kept reaching out to objects coming in close. It was a cute movie and we all enjoyed our day out with Grandma.
The best thing about being in Missouri was seeing family. We are glad the cousins come over and they all had a great time playing the Wii together (we had brought ours out).
We could have stayed longer - but off to Arkansas. Good thing we'll see them all again in July.