NC weekend camping

We woke up "the morning after" our trip and Jeb said, "Can we go to Sliding Rock today?" Even though he only went down once apparently he has some regrets about not going back up for another plunge into the icy cold 48 degree water once more. He added, "Next time, I'm going down the slow side." So, that is good news..I hope there is a next time again next summer. We had so much fun. When I asked Jeb what his favorite thing we did was he started listing just about everything we did so I guess he liked it all...He said, my words added to his but his order, hiking and the kids seeing a snake first, roasting marshmallows, riding int the back of daddy's truck with all the kids, climbing the mountain, riding bikes in the mud, going to the huge toy store, getting ice cream.

BTW--Jeb actually tired and ate a "Mexican hamburger" at a rather authentic restaurant we went to--menu all in Espanol and no chicken fingers here folks--who knew? It was good!

Some kids snuggle with teddy bears and blankies...

Some kids snuggle with teddy bears and blankies...


mine snuggles with a cellular device! The past few months Cay had become literally obsessed with having a cell phone. He spends his time in the car, around the house, and even sleeping with one nearby (see pics). If he sees you with one--BEWARE--a fit will happen and he will want the phone. I don't know what pressing matters he is working out but I tell you if he is not happy food/snacks, music, and a cell phone will do the trick. His favorite is an old flip phone that we had. He thinks he is cool stuff when he has that one!


If you are planning to recycle a phone in one of those boxes, consider donating it to our toy bin. It will bring him so much joy. Hee hee! Seriously, the kids wants a Razor!! Ha!



He loves an ice cream sandwich too!

Jeb is into dressing himself...it is driving me CRAZY. He is changing clothes AT LEAST 4 times a day. The other day I did a full load of laundry and as I folded them I noticed that it was camo attire (down to the socks), John Deer clothes, various boxers,and pink shirts--his favorites. None of these clothes were even worn out in public. He also fancies some denim shorts because that is what "cowboys wear when it is hot and they can't wear jeans." He keeps me hoppin' washing all his wardrobe changes and sticking stuff back in drawers that are so messed up I won't even get started. It is funny b/c when you see him again around the house you just never know what he'll be costumed in!

August Memories

We recently had the great pleasure of keeping two little girl-friends of ours...
As you can see the babies TRIED to take the Jeep over and then the big kids had to finish their "date" and then Cay decided that if he couldn't beat um' he'd join them by pushing!

We had fun at Nikki's house seeing some folks we did not get to see this summer as much as we would have liked to! I loved Cay's mohawk in the baby pool and I love that babies can have so much fun in a simple bucket of water!

Jeb recently discovered the joys of V8. As it comes time for winter and all the germs and illnesses that go with it, I thought I would try to "sneak" in some more antioxidants and IT WORKED. I bought the V8 fusion Tropical Orange and set is down in a big boy cup with a straw and he said, "ooohhh, Kool-Aid treat for lunch today." I didn't say a word back.

Caleb has mastered the steps ...or so we think. He latest antics are that he can load Jeb's shotgun (FAKE, of course) alone which takes some serious, fine motor skills. He is so proud when he gets it! Also, he has been on top of tables, stuck under beds, and generally tearing the house apart. I think he is going to be more mischievous than Jeb ever was. He is giving kisses now complete with an audible pucker and some tangible spittle, which is fabulous. He is also riding his Power Wheel now alone. He can't turn yet so I have to assist, but he can use that 2 cm thumb to drive it.

Jeb has mastered biking with "barely" any training wheels. J has them bent up for a security blanket, but he is all over the yard on his bike now and wants to bike at least by 9 each morning. The pic is Jeb on Bobo's Harley. IN THE YARD, of course.

Camping trip to NC is coming up soon! We are excited to get back out there and do some hiking, biking and having fun in the river with friends.

OOOPS>>>> I have fewer pics to post from our trip to NC with J because I WASHED my camera when I was there. I don't mean wiped it down. I mean put my new $500 camcorder and my 9 mos. old Kodak point and shoot in a complete washing machine cycle. I am sending the Kodak to the trash and the camcorder to be refurbished (I hope.) It has been quite a sad thing for me to possibly lose every video I've made since Christmas (that is the last time I backed them up). I have shed some tears over this DUMB, DUMB mistake. I know most moms have done something like this while multi-tasking and talking/reprimanding children. I suppose mine was just more costly emotionally and physically. The good news is what really matters--my own memories and our safety are in tact from the week of camping at the Hilton.

Classes start today for me, so I gotta go "virtually" meet my new crop of students. Tomorrow I meet the others face-to-face. Oh boy! There are always some characters...some good, some bad.

Gone for 2 weeks...Happy to be HOME!

WHEWWEEEEE we have had some fun and we have had some great adventures (one in particular was not fun though--another blog coming on that)!

I have a new sister-in-law! Jacob and Kristen were actually married in Jamaica in July, but their reception was just before we left! It was a great outdoor affair at an old, Southern plantation like estate...I have 2 great Crooks sister in laws! I had fun dancing and being silly with some family gals that have a wild hair like me!














We went back to SandDestin for another great week. My aunt is the bomb for sharing her beautiful house in this unbelievable resort. I have serious thoughts of leaving the farm for this place...it is that good...it is fun and ideallic...but I won't ever leave this place.

Caleb was amazed to see "Taylor" the bird and get some gatorade...the pic says it all.


We hardly leave the resort. We love the golf cart living!



Jeb has no trouble relaxing in the pool.



Jeb learned to dive while we were there. Oddly enough, I showed him one time and it took no coaxing...he just dove right in!


The 8 hour drive gave Jeb plenty of downtime to watch movies. He did not complain once.


It was a blessing to go to the beach with all the leading ladies in my life...my mom, my mother-in-law, and my granny. How many kids get to go to the beach with their GREAT grandmother? What a blessing. She is tough and fun. It is quite a great memory to have a margarita and dance with your grandmother. What a good time.



We enjoyed our new bike trailer. Caleb liked it the least; he didn't even like suckers..what is wrong with him? About 45 mins to and hour is all he could stand.



This shot is of Jeb at the outlet mall playground peeking out of the lighthouse!


In Raleigh, the boys spent any time we had in the hotel wrestling of course.

We visited the museum of natural sciences and this is Jeb with the great white. He had fun identifying scat (he was quite good since we have a book on it), and seeing all the animals--real and fake alike.


Cay snuggling in our room with Polar.