O'Haver Lake

Early Sunday morning we headed up to O'Haver Lake to meet the King and Mema and Papa for a camping trip. It was the first time we had all gone together since '06. The girls were all so cute and little back then. (L to R Marlee, Camie, Midge, Chiggie, and Tea)
It didn't take long to set up camp and then we made some lunch. The kids kicked back and relaxed enjoying the mountain air.

After lunch we headed to the lake for some wading and fishing. Mema taught Boo had to put her worm on the hook.


Chiggie and Camie stayed back in the shade and enjoyed a magazine. You can see in this picture how close our site was to the lake!
In fact we were able to set our tents up on the shore. The last night we were there a bear came down to get a drink and look for fish and circled our tents. Luckily the kids scared it off with their crazy screaming. They didn't even know about the bear until afterwards.

The King caught a fish this time. He fishes all the time, but up until this trip had never caught a fish in this lake.
The scenery was just beautiful. It was so nice to get away for a few days. The weather was pretty nice during the days, with some wind and rain in the evenings.

Midge really wanted to catch a fish. She tried to have patience. Unfortunately her and I got skunked.

Mema on the other hand caught enough for all of us. There for a while she hardly had her pole out each time before she was reeling back in another. She caught one that was over 12" but it got away because we didn't have the net.

Tea caught her first fish ever on this trip. It was a "suicide fish." She left her pole out while she went to swim and play and when she came back and reeled it in, sure enough there was a fish on the end! She was so excited.

Sadly my camera battery died very early on in the trip and I missed a lot of photo opportunities. The kids rigged up a hook less pole and "caught" several chipmunks with cookie bait. We went for several hikes and saw some deer very close up. The meals were delicious, especially breakfast every morning. There was a fire ban so we weren't able to have a fire, but we did make s'mores on the propane. It was a great trip and I'm glad to be making memories with the kids!

Crazy NIght

Thanks to a wonderful friend, yesterday I hooked up a window ac unit upstairs. It was amazing how quickly it cooled down up there. I was so relieved and very much looking forward to the having the main level back to myself that night. I put everybody to bed like normal and took a nice relaxing shower. I was getting ready to go to bed and everyone was sleeping when I heard a loud noise and all the lights went out. It was pitch black and I could hear all of the kids panicking and screaming. I spoke loudly but calmly telling them to stay where they were and I would come to them. I grabbed a flashlight as quickly as I could, it was very dark, and made my way towards the stairs. The girls were wide awake and scared.

I got them downstairs on the couches and turned on some flashlights and lit some candles. I looked outside and there was no light what so ever. It turns out the entire town was without power. It was so weird to see things that dark. The girls couldn't seem to fall back asleep and were very nervous that the power wouldn't come back on. A little after 2 am it finally did. They were still up. I was absolutely exhausted. I had spent the entire day cleaning and had planned on a great nights sleep. We are trying again tonight and hoping for no disasters!

Short Week

Why is that short Holiday week's always feel longer than the normal ones? This week has really drug on and on. We are all exhausted. We haven't even been getting home from play practices until well after 9pm. By the time everyone settles down and goes to bed it's very late. The baby, who still goes right to bed, gets up early so I haven't been able to sleep as late as the other kids. The other kids, who by the way have been sleeping downstairs in the family room due to the fact that the upstairs is an oven. See, we never go the air conditioner fixed last year. We have two window units downstairs and of course heat rises. We can't spare one of the downstairs units because of the layout of the house. At least it's comfortable down here I suppose.

This weekend promises to be pretty boring. I really need to use the free time to get this place cleaned up. I can't seem to figure out how to clone myself and get more done during the week. At least we've been out enjoying summer right?

Celebration

We had gorgeous weather for the 4th this year. It could've been a little less windy, but that seems to be the case a lot lately. The fabulously festive desserts. Yummy! The flag cake is tradition. My mom makes one every year and has for as long as I can remember.

To beat the heat the kids jumped in the sprinklers and played in the hose.

Buster was very interested in the concept of a water balloon. When his would pop he would say "uh oh" and come right over for another one.


Mema lightly showered the kids off.

Then she turned on them and cranked it up!

Then it was back to our house to watch the firework show off the mountain.

The kids danced and played while we waited what seemed like forever for the show to start.




Finally the show started. We only got to see a few though. Unfortunately we are under extreme fire danger right now and just the few fireworks shot off started another fire. It was sad for the kids and not a great ending, but I was glad to hear this morning that the fire had been contained.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July. I am so thankful for the freedom and independence. We will celebrate with bbq, sipping tea, water play, and fireworks show! Without the sacrifices of so many I know we would not have been able to make many of the choices we have for our family. Thanks to those who have made it all possible!

Summer Nights

Why I Should Not Have Electronics

We just don't mix. Technology and I that is. I don't seem capable of protecting elecronic things from harm. Go back a bit through my archives and you will soon know exactly what I mean. Now for possible casualty #687:

Yesterday I casually placed my cell phone on an end table in my room hooked up to the charger. I was reading library books to the little girls when Buster walked over and handed me the charger. Hmmm. I went into my room and the phone was gone. I looked under the bed, on the floor, and all around the end table. No such luck. I looked in the neighboring rooms and when it didn't turn up my heart sank. In a panic I had Chiggie call my phone from her phone. I listened by the vent in our room. Nothing. We walked all through the house and didn't hear a thing. Then, from the bathroom, a buzzing sound. A vibrating, buzzing sound, coming from the toilet. Noooooooooooooo! Sure enough there she was. No idea how long she was under water without air.

I grabbed her out, immediately removed the battery, pumped her little chest and screamed "live!" Now I'm no trauma nurse, but as I've previously mentioned electronic emergencies are no stranger to me. I followed protocol. Into a bowl of rice she went and there she has been since. I can't bear the thought of another casualty. I really hope she makes it!