Awesome Weekend

My parents came up our way this weekend and brought their pontoon boat with them. My dad wanted to go camping with the boys and about 15 min from our house is a huge lake with many parks to pitch a tent. So I made some reservations and they met up with us.

We set up the tent. A BIG GIANT thank you to my dad who showed me the easy way to set up a tent! I had no idea the little pegs went INSIDE the tent poles! All this time I was trying to stick the poles into the ground - no wonder our tent never looked right!

Tony and Ryan ended up in the tent while my dad and Sage slept by the campfire and well, the girls went back to the house : ) My mom has had her share of camping in her younger days and much prefers a bed and a roof - so we made sure she had a comfy spot at the house. At least I hope it was comfy.

The site was perfect, we had a little ditch complete with log bridge, a path down to the beachy area of the lake where dad could park the boat. That made it easy for us to hop in and off.

We hung out and Adeline loved it! Hiking anyone??
We covered up Ryan's cast in plastic and he could enjoy the lake
Not to mention the little one who has to do what her big brothers do.

We really enjoyed the boat rides! Thank you Grandpa for bringing the boat all the way up to us!



The boys got in a little casting practice. Sage Loves to fish!! Ryan just likes casting. He is a friend to the fish and does not want to catch them or eat them.
Biggest big Brother
Big Brother
And of course little A wants a turn!
So grandpa showed her how - that's what Grandpa's are for!
This is what Sage caught - tee hee - we brought it home and cooked it IN the fire!
A little sibling love
And some water sport fun!
At the end of the day we had a blast and really enjoyed their visit! Thanks for taking us camping!!!
Till next time!

Dear Mom

Dear Mom -

I know you check the blog regularly - so I am hoping that you are having your Mothers day coffee and reading this. I have a card - a have a gift, but they just did not get to the post office in time, and since I will see you next weekend I will hand deliver them to you then.

Happy Mother's Day!! I am thankful that you are my mom and that you are always there for me. Thank you for being a great Grandmom - the kids love you !!!

We are looking forward to seeing you next weekend.!!

A May Faire

Here we go round the May Pole high....


We headed down to Florida for the weekend to participate in the May Faire with the Seaside Playgarden Waldorf school and to Celebrate my Dad's birthday. I dropped Ryan off at the school at the school and then headed over to the little park at the beach around the corner.


The kids paraded to the park after making May birds

Ryan seemed to be enjoying himself. I know he was happy to see some of his Florida friends

Adeline enjoyed walking around exploring. (Sage was off with Grandpa helping him fix their boat). I enjoyed talking with moms I have not seen in awhile.

Some of the kids made May day crowns and bell bracelets. Ryan was not interested in the crown, but we did make one for sweet miss Adeline.

Then it was time for the Maypole dance.

It was a beautiful morning at the beach and I loved seeing all the kids in their maypole crowns. I have to say this is one of my favorite festivals. So simple and sweet.

We hung out for most of the morning and really made the most of it.!

A cast will not stop our Ryan from climbing on a cool statue or playing all kinds of games with the other kids. I saw him come in first in the foot race - way to go Ryan.

my super sweet barefoot hippie flower girl. : )

The boys are out at the movies with Grandpa and then out for a Birthday dinner and then some pie - yummm.

Serenity in the Mountains

We headed into the mountains on Saturday morning with my mom who is taking a watercolor painting workshop in Boone, NC. She rented a cabin/house with my Aunt for the weeks and we were lucky enough to go with her for a few days. For an added bonus Tony was able to take a couple days off and come too - yeah! The only thing missing was Grandpa, but we will see him this weekend in Florida.

The cabin was awesome! I think I want to live there ! (well maybe not in the middle of winter)

there was a beautiful view from the porch.

THe inside was cozy
The boys discovered some games
Adeline loved this guy
On Sunday we went for a walk on the Greenway in Boone. It is a paved walkway that goes around the park. It turned out to be a pretty day despite some ugly rain clouds lingering overhead.

yes I made the kids sit and have their picture taken. Not too bad - not great , but it will do.
We picked Dandelions. That is Adeline's favorite right now.
played with the most adorable puppies
walked along a stream
crossed a covered bridge
then after hiking up the side of the mountain, took a much needed rest!
Except for the teenager who did what teenagers do - talk on the phone. shh dont tell anyone he was talking to his grandpa .
silly girl
Then on Monday while my mom and aunt were at their workshop we headed to the Foggy Mountain gem mine. The boys were given a bucket prefilled with rocks and gems. They had to sort out the rocks from the gems.
And yes we did find gems!!! Lots of them - rubies, emeralds,tiger's eye, quartz, topaz, labadorite, garnet, moonstone, and a few more. The gems in the plastic round dishes are what the gems look like after they have been cut. Our gems are the ones next to the dishes. We took ours home in the rough. Maybe we will get a rock tumbler and shine them up a bit.
Then we headed to Linville Falls for lunch and a hike. Adeline ate her lunch on the go : )
The view was great from here
but amazing from here!!!
such handsome guys


An awesome vacation in the mountains!!

MOM - if you read this before you leave there - the best place to take your trash is behind the realtors office! hope you are having fun