Watercolors

Morning art project

Mobile blogging!

Test pic to try and post from my phone!

First camping adventure!

Mike ran in the Barbarian Challenge this past weekend at Noccalula Falls. We decided to make it a family trip. We borrowed a camper from a friend, loaded up the kid and dogs and off we went! ME was so excited about our adventure, but when we arrived Fri. evening the excited quickly turned to frustration when nothing seemed to happen fast enough for her! She was very impatient waiting for the camper to get setup and the dogs to get settled so that she could go swimming. We finally made it to the pool and enjoyed some water time, but when the pool closed at 9 pm, ME wanted none of it! I had to carry her 1/2 way to the camper pulling the wagon with all of our stuff. I managed to get her back and settled in bed watching a movie. We arrived later than planned so dinner consisted of sandwiches and crackers (burgers would have to wait!). We were finally all in bed and asleep by 11. I was hoping for a better start to the next day! At some point in the night the air conditioner froze up so the night was rather warm! The next morning we were all up and ready to go by 6. Once the dogs were walked and fed, I headed to Jack's to pick up breakfast. Yes, I had food to cook, but after the previous night I wanted a big diet Coke on ice. Once we had eaten it was time to head to the race. As it turned out the race was at Noccalula but it was about 2 miles away. We walked about 1/2 a mile to a shuttle stop and rode the rest of the way. ME was a trooper! She carried her camp chair and was all about starting the adventure. Mike did really well in his race. It was about 4.5 miles of adventure race through the woods. He carried sandbags, climbed ropes and walls, and ran creekbeds, just to start. He finished 95th out of 1,000 with a time of 69 minutes. We couldn't see much of the race and it was hot, but ME was pretty patient,especially once we got a strawberry shaved ice for a treat! We weren't quite as lucky in the shuttle department on our trip back to the camper. Every shuttle that we found was full or going the wrong way and didn't stop. We managed to grab a ride for about 1/2 a mile, but walked the rest of the way. ME was a star though, she didn't complain and just hiked on. A mile and a half walk for a four year old at noon in 90 plus degree heat could have been a disaster but it wasn't. Once we returned to the camper ME settled in for a rest, snack and a movie while I took the dogs out. Mike and the rest of the race "crew" (race buddy Chris and his family) showed up about 30 minutes later. We all enjoyed hanging out and hearing their stories from the course. Once Chris and his family left we went to the swimming pool to cool off. ME has not been a fan of going under the water. My sister Scottie suggested getting her some goggles and this was their "test run"! ME loved the goggles! She went under time and again. I think we might have a swimmer this summer. We finally got to grill burgers and brats for dinner and just "hang out" and enjoy the campground atmosphere Saturday night. Sitting back watching everything was quite an experience. There was a group who set up classic country karaoke, our new neighbors had lived in their camper for the past 20 years and had a 4 year old son,lots of families with kids and dogs, retired couples enjoying card games, a family with a golf cart that they were just cruising around in, as well as many others. Part of the weekend entertainment was just watching and visiting with all of the other families. The weekend had its ups and downs, but I can say that camping as a family allows a lot of time to enjoy one another without the distractions of the outside world. Now back to the real world and the PILES of laundry!

Vacation Bible School

Last week was our community VBS. I think a total of 4 churches and the Boys and Girls Club took part, so it made for a fun week. It was Mary Elizabeth's first year at VBS and she loved it! Every day she enjoyed telling me about her day of crafts, recess, storytime and science. I was the leader for the second and third graders. Our biggest day was 40 kids in my group! It was great to see so many kids excited to come to church, make new friends and learn new things. So many volunteers worked to make it a great VBS and I think the kids really appreciated it!

Spring Break

We had a good spring break this year. It all started with a trip to Build a Bear workshop. ME had a blast and got her Lolly bunny who is a constant companion these days. Scottie also came to see us for a few days which was really fun!

Races

Mike is hooked on running and working out. I'm only hooked on the running! Since starting this crazy new "hobby" about a year and a half ago we have competed in quite a few races. Mike has run in trail runs, mud/obstacle course runs and road races. I stick to the road races! In Feb. we completed the Mercedes marathon relay with a team of 5 which was really fun (cold, but fun). I ran a 5k leg and Mike ran the 8 mile leg. Millie is Mike's running buddy. She has completed a 10k road race with him. We took both dogs to the Mutt Strutt race in B'ham this spring. Millie ran the 5k and Max ran the 1 mile. I don't want to run too far with him until he is a year old. It seems starnge that when this all started I just wanted to be able to run a mile and now I regularly do 3.5 miles and sometimes 4. I am also looking at doing a 10k in November of this year. Mike's next race is the Barbarian Challenge in Gadsden June 23rd. I'll post pics when we get home! Mike and Millie at the Mutt Strutt

ME turns 4!

We had a fun but low key birthday this year. ME took her best friends Addison and Bella to lunch at Chick-fil-a and to see Beauty and the Beast at the movie theater. ME and her great grandmother Pat shared a family birthday party as well.