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.

Country Music Thoughts

I am embarrassed to confess that both Jonas and I have come to the realization that we really, truly enjoy Taylor Swift's music! You would not want to see me in the kitchen rockin' out to "You Belong with Me"--it is entertaining even for the one dancing around saying every word. Jonas has even admitted to liking “Love Story”!

The boys and I also are enjoying other redneck songs like "Sideways" by Dierks. Also, I had a good laugh this week when a new song on country radio came over—“She's Rocking the Beer Gut”. Only in country music...so funny...if you have not heard it and you need to laugh...you should hear it. If you have ever been to Wal-Mart in Seneca when it is over 90 degrees you should be able to identify with the song! This is classy stuff…not really, but it is good for remembering to not take everything so seriously in life!

On a more serious note, the song “I Thought I Loved You Then” really makes me think about how love grows over/through all of life’s changes, ups, downs, & seasons.

The pics...Caleb is into dressing up...it is cute and funny.
We had a blast going down the Chattooga with the Rays. They are some tough city slickers. I was amazed that Cay actually enjoyed the ride. He wanted to walk/swim/ and drag behind the tube and the frigid water did not bother him one bit. He giggled and sat with me or J all the way down. It was sweet time with him except that my back was KILLING ME when all was said and done! The river was down in places but the big kids still enjoyed tubing and swimming and throwing lots of rocks. Jonas can really skip um! The pic is the kids getting ready to claim their tubes. Then we had a fun "dinner" at the Dirty Queen aka Dairy Queen.

We had fun slip and sliding recently. The Ball kids and Jeb really were flying after about 1/2 container of dish soap...the Bonzai was MOVIN'! Caleb enjoyed the pool at the bottom mostly. That kind of thing is just not fun with a baby brother so it was nice to do that with some big kid friends!

Caleb is really doing a good job feeding himself these days (despite what is in the pic)...he can do a bowl of cereal, fruit, spaghetti, and yes, pudding and yogurt really well!

Jeb and I have enjoyed our sunflowers that came and now are quickly going. They were pretty while they lasted. Now the goats will get to enjoy their scrumptious taste...and they will make their white coats sparkle.

Parental Abuse Can Start Early!!

Last night, when I was shaving the thought occurred to me that I had multiple bruises and lacerations this week from 2 toddlers?? If you have boys you know that rarely a day goes by that you are not hit by a moving car/truck/jeep/power wheel, decapitated by a thrown ball, a mis-swung bat/golf club/ tennis racket, or walloped on some body part with a pipe, stick, some object that should be stationary or yes, the proverbial rock that just must be launched as hard as he can. Then there is the “wrestling” and chasing that happens most days. I have had boobies busted up, noses almost broken, my head stepped on, my gut punched out, and knee caps out of place just by “play fighting.” As if they don’t cause enough trouble WITH your help and assistance, then they have to start doing everything alone and “helping you” by doing things that really you’d rather do yourself. Cay has already tripped into and out of the dog lot trying to feed them himself. Someone always gets hurt around here everyday. It seems inevitable. This week a friend hit Cay with a bat, Jeb hit me with a rock, then Cay dropped a pipe on my foot, Jeb hit a door running wide open with Daddy chasing, Cay fell down some steps and busted his lip since now he can officially open any lever handle in the house, and Jonas generally stays sore from all the “free licks” and wrestling that goes on around here.

One pic is of me and my cuz Lane. She is one cool chick. I have been blessed to have her closer this summer/past year and not she is back in Alabama!

We have just started a HUGE landscaping project. Jeb has staked his claim to part of it. He has set up a chair in a great overlook spot and he calls it "his house." He has eaten a few meals out there and just likes to sit there and play eye spy and chat. It is amusing to me that he connected with this spot of dirt surrounded by rocks.

Let the Tantrums Begin!

Cay pretty much wants me to hold him all the time…...when I don’t…the tantrums ensue (see pic). If you take anything like a remote, phone or cell phone you can expect a major battle. If you take him off of anything that moves he is livid. He is doing the limp fish act..if you are a parent you know what that is. He adds a thrown head though so you really must watch your face when it starts. He is a pretty ruthless persuader—even at 2 am. Man, I am tired.

We had another great trip to Lake Joc. We have had the best times there my whole life. Honestly, some of my fondest childhood memories are there and it is pure joy to take my own children back there to relax on beaches, play in the water, and yes, jump off rocks that look like whales in the water (see pic of Jeb on rock). We also like to go see all the waterfalls around the lake. AND Jeb and Jonas were thrilled that this trip we saw a big snake!

My best childhood friend came by to see us this week. What a joy! She brought her 2 girls and Jeb really relished holding and loving on sweet little Addison.

Cay is now saying “outside” and he starts to put on shoes—any shoes…even our shoes (see pic).
The boys have enjoyed our very own home grown melons this week (see pic)! They were yummy! We can eat a gallon of berries, 2 containers of strawberries, at least a few apples, a couple bananas, some grapes, a head of romaine lettuce, and a ½ gallon of OJ a week. My produce bill is not cheap so I am grateful for a few FREE melons!

I have had the great joy of keeping some friends' kids this week when they had new babies or things they needed to do. I don't like making folks meals, but I will keep kids with a happy heart. It is a nice way to serve friends without cooking! I wish I liked cooking since it is so necessary and something I do often...but the fact it...I JUST DON'T.

We have also had a ton of fun swimming with Mrs. Jill and at Mrs. Kim's this summer. See Caleb in Mrs. Kim's baby pool. He has taken a few naps there while Jeb and I play and chat with Kim and the girls.