Well, actually they are practicing karate. Whatever it is...it's cute! (And tough!)
Chop~
Laurie
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
And the story continues....
To finish up our summer adventure, I take you back to Lake Burton. After Deedee and Tony headed back to Alabama, our next visitor was my longtime friend, Nicole. She came up for a couple of days to soak up some fun and sun. But something that ALWAYS happens when she visits is...rain! We laugh, because it never fails that we get a rain shower when she decides to spend a few days at the lake.
Well, we did have one nice day while she and her girls visited,so we headed back to Helen for a day of tubing. Unfortunately, the river level was a bit low, so we kept getting stuck on rocks and the flow was sloooowwwww, but the kids had a blast and have asked when we can do it again.
After the girls left (much to Sam's dismay) John finally made it up and helped us finish out the summer break! We had a lot of tubing!
Some more hiking.... (Lily was sporting the new hike/flotation look!)
Lily happened upon this "lil buddy" on our hike in to the river. She couldn't just walk by....
And a lot of boat sitting!
Not much more to say than "Ahhhhhhh........"
Blessed~
Laurie
Well, we did have one nice day while she and her girls visited,so we headed back to Helen for a day of tubing. Unfortunately, the river level was a bit low, so we kept getting stuck on rocks and the flow was sloooowwwww, but the kids had a blast and have asked when we can do it again.
Some more hiking.... (Lily was sporting the new hike/flotation look!)
Lily happened upon this "lil buddy" on our hike in to the river. She couldn't just walk by....
And a lot of boat sitting!
Not much more to say than "Ahhhhhhh........"
Blessed~
Laurie
Monday, August 13, 2012
Breaking News...
Sam and Lily Clare started back to school today and were soooo excited!
My handsome fifth grader!
My beautiful first grader!
Zac was not about to be left out of the action...even though it
was 6:45 in the MORNING!!!!
Feeling the love!
It's gonna be a great year~
Laurie
Living the lake life...
As the summer started coming to a close (well, on the school calendar anyway), we knew that we needed to get up to the lake house and spend some quality time on the water. So, the kids and I headed up and pretty much installed a rotating door for all of the guests we had!
We started our two week stint with my mom joining us for a few days. We had some great time to relax together and journeyed into the neighboring town of Helen. This is an alpine themed village that has a lot of things for the family to do. We started our day in Helen with a picnic in the local park.
Then, the kids tried their hands at a fun game of mini-golf.
On our way back to the cabin, we stopped and tested our luck at panning for gold and gems.
Unfortunately, we did not become millionaires...but the kids had a blast and found some pretty rocks and stones!
On our last day together, we spent some time at the FAMOUS...."Goats on the Roof"! Just kidding; I wouldn't expect anyone to have ever heard of this crazy place! But, the name says it all; there are goats on the roof.
The next day brought a whole new group of visitors -- Deedee, Tony, Madison and Chandler! This was their first visit up and we had lots of fun! From shopping, to hiking, to swimming and boating; the kids really loved having their cousins around!
After a little picture taking and lingering on the rocks, we came across this little fella! Needless to say, we stayed away from his "home" from that point on!
O.k., so this is the blog post that is never ending! I'll give y'all a break and fill you in on our last few days in the next post.
To be continued~
Laurie
We started our two week stint with my mom joining us for a few days. We had some great time to relax together and journeyed into the neighboring town of Helen. This is an alpine themed village that has a lot of things for the family to do. We started our day in Helen with a picnic in the local park.
Then, the kids tried their hands at a fun game of mini-golf.
On our way back to the cabin, we stopped and tested our luck at panning for gold and gems.
On our last day together, we spent some time at the FAMOUS...."Goats on the Roof"! Just kidding; I wouldn't expect anyone to have ever heard of this crazy place! But, the name says it all; there are goats on the roof.
After feeding the goats and snacking on some yummy ice cream, Nana and Poppy went on their way back to the big city! (Where you will not find goats on a roof! Ha!)
Hey, those goats look familiar!!
One day we hiked down to the Chattooga River.
One of my favorite places! It is beautiful!
After a little picture taking and lingering on the rocks, we came across this little fella! Needless to say, we stayed away from his "home" from that point on!
Me and my swim buddy!
Cousin time!
This picture cracks me up!!! Zac loves playing in the river and jumping from rock to rock -- but here, he lost his footing and couldn't make it over in one jump. The look on his face is priceless! **He did make it across and went back and forth about 100 more times!
To be continued~
Laurie
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
A giving heart is a happy heart!
Is that a saying or did I just make that up? Anyway, I somehow got out of order on my bloggings and failed to include this fun thing!
If you recall, in June, the news was full of sad stories about the Florida flooding and the Colorado wildfires. Well, one of my neighbors sent a message on Facebook saying that her nephew is a firefighter in Colorado Springs and they were in need of thick socks. I thought about this need, thought about how guilty I felt about watching the devastation on the t.v. and decided to try to do something to help. So, after talking with the kiddos, we decided to set up a donation "drop off" in our driveway and solicited help from our family, friends and neighbors.
Well guess what?!?!? Sam and Lily Clare collected 90 pairs of socks and $116 to be split between the Tampa and Colorado Springs Red Cross! Way to go guys!!!
This is our neighbor, Valerie, whose nephew is the Colorado Springs firefighter, making her donation!
Some happy kids (Sam's friend, Ian, came over to help) with their donations!
What a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
If you recall, in June, the news was full of sad stories about the Florida flooding and the Colorado wildfires. Well, one of my neighbors sent a message on Facebook saying that her nephew is a firefighter in Colorado Springs and they were in need of thick socks. I thought about this need, thought about how guilty I felt about watching the devastation on the t.v. and decided to try to do something to help. So, after talking with the kiddos, we decided to set up a donation "drop off" in our driveway and solicited help from our family, friends and neighbors.
Well guess what?!?!? Sam and Lily Clare collected 90 pairs of socks and $116 to be split between the Tampa and Colorado Springs Red Cross! Way to go guys!!!
This is our neighbor, Valerie, whose nephew is the Colorado Springs firefighter, making her donation!
Some happy kids (Sam's friend, Ian, came over to help) with their donations!
What a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
“It's not how much we give but how much love
we put into giving.”
And the kids loved their donation booth so much that they stayed at the curb for an extra 30 minutes!
Hoping to grow some giving hearts~
Laurie
July
We kicked off this month with a visit to Chattanooga! The kids and I headed up to spend a few days with "Grandma and Grandpa", then on up to Lookout Mountain to visit with Aunt Janet! But two of the best highlights of the week was getting to spend some time with my newest great niece (wh-what??? Am I old enough for a great niece?!?!?) and seeing our nephew Lil' Roger!
Lily and Sam bonding with Anna Marie!
Roger is currently undergoing an extreme chemotherapy regime for cancer. He must go through four week-long sessions of chemo. When we visited, he had completed two sessions...now he has finished the third and only has ONE MORE to go! Amazingly, he has not had too many bad effects from the chemo and has been in good spirits. We are constantly praying for his recovery and would love for you to join in on the prayers!!!!
On the Fourth of July, we traveled up to Lookout Mtn and met up with John (who we left in Atlanta because of work). Always up for an adventure, Janet suggested that we head down the mountain and tour Sequoyah Caverns. What a neat little excursion!
Peace, love and God Bless America!!!!
The family who caves together stays together!
My heart is still tied to Chattanooga, so when I saw this barn leaving the caverns (which are in Valley Head, AL), I had to stop and get a picture! I think it's beautiful!
God Bless the USA~
Laurie
Lily and Sam bonding with Anna Marie!
Roger is currently undergoing an extreme chemotherapy regime for cancer. He must go through four week-long sessions of chemo. When we visited, he had completed two sessions...now he has finished the third and only has ONE MORE to go! Amazingly, he has not had too many bad effects from the chemo and has been in good spirits. We are constantly praying for his recovery and would love for you to join in on the prayers!!!!
On the Fourth of July, we traveled up to Lookout Mtn and met up with John (who we left in Atlanta because of work). Always up for an adventure, Janet suggested that we head down the mountain and tour Sequoyah Caverns. What a neat little excursion!
Peace, love and God Bless America!!!!
The family who caves together stays together!
God Bless the USA~
Laurie
Friday, July 13, 2012
Across the pond!
One thing that I love about not scheduling out our summer is the ability to make spur of the moment plans! And my latest spur of the moment decision allowed me to join John on a business trip to London! With the help of some frequent flier points and my wonderful family to take care of the kiddos...John and I had a great visit across the pond!
Originally, John was to be in meetings everyday, so I had plotted out my sightseeing path as a lone tourist. But, his meetings were cut short and we were able to tour the city together!
We flew out late Monday night (10:30pm) and arrived in London at 12:30 on Tuesday afternoon. After checking in and John making a few work calls, we headed out....
Buckingham Palace:
Big Ben (with the Goodyear blimp flying by!):
This handy little reminder saved us many times! (They drive on the opposite side of the road.)
Parliament Building:
Double Decker!:
Trafalgar Square:
Well, John had to work on Wednesday, so I was on my own. After breakfast, I braved "the Tube" (aka: subway) and headed out to St. Paul's Cathedral.
St. Paul's was beautiful! Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take pictures inside, so my photos are limited. I was surprised to find that it is still a "working" church. So, I felt so fortunate to be able to take part in the 12:00 pm Communion Service! Then I did my self-guided tour and soaked in the beauty!
Yep, had to ask a passerby to take my picture from one of the galleries! Did I mention that I climbed 500+ stairs to get to the top?!?!? Oh, it was sooo worth it!
After my cathedral tour, I went to a deli and got a yummy pesto and tomato panini and ate in a park; then headed over to the Tate Modern Art Museum. I was excited to see an original Picasso:
But my interest kinda faded when I started seeing art made of "sheep excrement"...yep, sheep poop!
Since John was working, I took the afternoon to do a little shopping then headed back to the hotel to rest my feet and decide on dinner. Unfortunately, after I sat for a few minutes, my "puppies" did not want to walk very far for dinner. So, I went a couple doors down from the hotel and had a delicious dinner - while I did some people watching! What else are you supposed to do when you're alone?!?
The next morning I was able to catch the changing on the guards. (Actually, our hotel was only about 1 minute from Buckingham Palace, so I was able to see the ceremony several times! But it was so amazing every time!)
I ventured over to Westminster Abbey and was in awe!!!!! I couldn't take pictures and that killed me, but I got a call from John around noon (I had forgotten to silence my phone and I was viewing a crypt when my phone rang---felt very bad!!!!) and he said that his meetings had been cut short and that he was going back to the hotel to work. My bad influence had him meet me at W.A. and tour together!! The history around us was...I don't know how to explain it....something that you couldn't imagine! Handel, Kipling, Newton, Tennyson, Chaucer, Dickens -- all buried and memorialized in beautiful statues, carvings and monuments!
This inscription is on the exterior of Westminster Abbey. I love it!
The next day, John and I took the subway and toured the British Library...
and the British Museum....
In awe of the Rosetta Stone
Mummies from 800 BC, with details on how they were preserved. (kinda gross, but interesting!)
Me posing in the "tele" booth!
Piccadilly Square at night
After dinner, John and I tried to deliver pizza to the Queen, but no one answered... RUDE!!!!
Earlier, when we had passed through Piccadilly Square, we saw Mtv filming a video...quite interesting. John wouldn't jump in the background.
Pretty street showing their English love!
This is John standing in front of his UK office...not happy with me taking his picture!!!
On our last day, we went to the Imperial War Museum. Soooooo incredible! Pictures were allowed, but they just couldn't do it justice! The collections within these walls were unbelievable! Uniforms, weapons, documents -- from almost every war, under one roof---amazing! However, I can't find words to describe the Holocaust exhibit...really, I can't. So sad and unbelievable -- sickening!
A portion from the Berlin Wall.
A sweet family who asked me to take their photo offered to take our pic. So, we jumped on the chance to have a couples pic! Very bad hair day (no flat iron and misty rain), but I wouldn't trade this pic for anything! An unbelievable trip of a lifetime with the love of my life!
Another dream comes true~
Laurie
Originally, John was to be in meetings everyday, so I had plotted out my sightseeing path as a lone tourist. But, his meetings were cut short and we were able to tour the city together!
We flew out late Monday night (10:30pm) and arrived in London at 12:30 on Tuesday afternoon. After checking in and John making a few work calls, we headed out....
Buckingham Palace:
Big Ben (with the Goodyear blimp flying by!):
This handy little reminder saved us many times! (They drive on the opposite side of the road.)
Parliament Building:
Double Decker!:
Trafalgar Square:
Well, John had to work on Wednesday, so I was on my own. After breakfast, I braved "the Tube" (aka: subway) and headed out to St. Paul's Cathedral.
St. Paul's was beautiful! Unfortunately, you are not allowed to take pictures inside, so my photos are limited. I was surprised to find that it is still a "working" church. So, I felt so fortunate to be able to take part in the 12:00 pm Communion Service! Then I did my self-guided tour and soaked in the beauty!
After my cathedral tour, I went to a deli and got a yummy pesto and tomato panini and ate in a park; then headed over to the Tate Modern Art Museum. I was excited to see an original Picasso:
But my interest kinda faded when I started seeing art made of "sheep excrement"...yep, sheep poop!
Since John was working, I took the afternoon to do a little shopping then headed back to the hotel to rest my feet and decide on dinner. Unfortunately, after I sat for a few minutes, my "puppies" did not want to walk very far for dinner. So, I went a couple doors down from the hotel and had a delicious dinner - while I did some people watching! What else are you supposed to do when you're alone?!?
The next morning I was able to catch the changing on the guards. (Actually, our hotel was only about 1 minute from Buckingham Palace, so I was able to see the ceremony several times! But it was so amazing every time!)
I ventured over to Westminster Abbey and was in awe!!!!! I couldn't take pictures and that killed me, but I got a call from John around noon (I had forgotten to silence my phone and I was viewing a crypt when my phone rang---felt very bad!!!!) and he said that his meetings had been cut short and that he was going back to the hotel to work. My bad influence had him meet me at W.A. and tour together!! The history around us was...I don't know how to explain it....something that you couldn't imagine! Handel, Kipling, Newton, Tennyson, Chaucer, Dickens -- all buried and memorialized in beautiful statues, carvings and monuments!
This inscription is on the exterior of Westminster Abbey. I love it!
The next day, John and I took the subway and toured the British Library...
In awe of the Rosetta Stone
The ceiling of the museum amazed me!!!!
Mummies from 800 BC, with details on how they were preserved. (kinda gross, but interesting!)
Me posing in the "tele" booth!
Piccadilly Square at night
After dinner, John and I tried to deliver pizza to the Queen, but no one answered... RUDE!!!!
Earlier, when we had passed through Piccadilly Square, we saw Mtv filming a video...quite interesting. John wouldn't jump in the background.
Pretty street showing their English love!
On our last day, we went to the Imperial War Museum. Soooooo incredible! Pictures were allowed, but they just couldn't do it justice! The collections within these walls were unbelievable! Uniforms, weapons, documents -- from almost every war, under one roof---amazing! However, I can't find words to describe the Holocaust exhibit...really, I can't. So sad and unbelievable -- sickening!
A sweet family who asked me to take their photo offered to take our pic. So, we jumped on the chance to have a couples pic! Very bad hair day (no flat iron and misty rain), but I wouldn't trade this pic for anything! An unbelievable trip of a lifetime with the love of my life!
Another dream comes true~
Laurie
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