On da boat!

Lake James is a beautiful lake! David and Jason went skiing earlier in the day and then we all went for a ride later on. Ty did great on the boat and we all thought he was really enjoying the ride, the water and the scenery but we tried two other days and he wouldn't have it. Kicking, screaming, and crying were all involved and of course we didn't make him but we just couldn't figure out what had scared him off. There were plenty of other things to do, but I think Dada, was especially sad because he's the boat/lake lover!!! There's always next year!

Jason's up

Fancy move from David!

Our brave captain!

Anything with a steering wheel!

Co-captain, Ty

The gang in the rear....

The girls in front - Aunt Mims, me and GeeGee

Ty and his Nana

Mama Spider

Each day outside Uncle Dick and Aunt Mary's house was like watching the Discovery Channel especially when we noticed the wonder of new life happenings outside the breakfast nook. Amy and I were excited to see what Mama was doing each day. I normally do not like spiders and the thought of them gives me heebeegeebees, but when we noticed that this paticular spider wasn't going anywhere we figured she was setting up shop for babies (probably thousands and thousands of them). We were fasinated to see her intricate web weaving abilities and wondered why she was doing what she was. Her plain web turned into a zigzac web then we watched her (we think) lay eggs and roll them up into a portion of the web and then tuck them somewhere on her body. Fascinating to say the least! We were unable to see what happened after all this, but I felt like I had to share since we watched her closely for the whole eight days!!! Here she is, yellow and beautiful - if you can call spiders that (and as long as they don't enter my house!)

It's whole other world in this backyard!

Each day provided a new and exciting world outside Uncle Dick and Aunt Mary's house. The woods...Each time Ty found a pinecone, a stick, a toad, a leaf, a lizard or a rock was an exciting moment to say the least (lots of WOW's where always heard). The site I loved the most was in the mornings before just before the sun rose, to see the fog lifting up off the lake and that wonderful brand new day smell. Amazing and so relaxing!!!

We're Back!

Hello everyone!

Well, we're back from North Carolina and what a wonderful time we had. Thank you Uncle Dick and Aunt Mary for having us all in your home for eight glorious days! I think I know where I want to retire - in the mountains and on a lake! What beautiful country surrounds you and it truly makes you realize that this is something only God could create.

I have many pictures and stories to share with you and I'm already behind. I'll try and post a few every couple of days or so. These are some from our journey to North Carolina on the plane. Ty did a fantastic job traveling, or as well as can be expected for a two-year old. Especially, on the flight home (that story to come a little later). We had extra airline miles to upgrade us to first class, which really was a treat!

I can buckle my own belt, thank you!

A little boy in a very big seat!

Ahhh, room to stretch !

Ty loved seeing all that was going on out the windows!

Thank goodness for Bob the Builder!

Ty and his GeeGee!

Cupcakes and kids!

Alexa has six baby kitties at her house and we had to go visit. Ty did okay at first until he stepped on a small baby paw. Which, from the kitty, let out very loud, shril squeal. He enjoyed watching them play around and even petted a few, but all in all he wanted to play with Alexa. Melanie and I were the ones loving all over the kitties. Soon after, Ty started sneezing, then soon came some red blotches on his face and then some very red eyes. We are hoping that this was just a lot of kitties in one room together and he's not allergic - jut bothered. Needless, to say we didn't go back and play with the kitties. The morning was filled with little voices saying "mine" and "Mama", they both had a hard time sharing. Since its hard to learn when you're not in the moment - Melanie and I are using the times as teaching tools, plus they're TWO and I'm positive they'll get it - but probably not today! But, I think we took it all in stride and they both enjoyed being with each other!

It wasn't until he really started rubbing his eyes that we called it a day and came home to some Benadryl! Since it never appeared life threatening they enjoyed a special treat before we packed it in - Ty devoured his and wore some too and Alexa took a couple of clean danty bites. Difference between girls and boys, I guess! You'd be proud Grammy, he didn't leave any frosting!

Yes, that is my child taking the toy away

She got it back and we're still happy!

Evening with "Pap-Pap"

Pappy, Nana B and Gabe came over last night for dinner and to visit before we left on our big trip. They had great fun outside together! Ty was all excited acting so goofy, running around the backyard making all kinds of noises and then started plopping himself in the grass. He definitely had us in stiches. Ty didn't want Pappy to go home but before he did he first, emptied the "jingle" in his pocket, put him in his jammies and read him some books!

Looks like a serious talk!


No fort too tall!

Up with the lawnmower!

Gotta turn it around!

Ready or not!

Here it comes!

Yeah!

Monkey'in

Must be parked together

First plop!

Your turn Pappy!

Love those expressions!

Hummmmm, what now?

Big Birthday Fun!

Saturday we celebrated Larry's birthday at Grumpy and Minnie's house. Ashlee, Alice, Bella and Ty really got to cut loose and have some fun! Ashlee and Alice are quite the swimmers while Ty enjoying watching them from a distance. He mostly loved Ashlee jumping in and doing all her tricks, he belly laughed each time she made a splash! Alice's swimming lessons sure have paid off, she too was having a lot of fun along with an awful attack of the goosebumps, which didn't stop her much. The minute Ashlee jumped off the divingboard Ty wanted to jump too, but after standing there a while, he decided against the jump! After swimming the kids decided to make a fort in the play room which was a great photo opportunity. Bella and Ty found their own hidy hole behind a chair when there wasn't room in the big fort with the girls. Auntie Amy grilled up some awesome hamburgers and hotdogs and had all the fixins to go along. Larry was nice enough to let us sneak in a song and a few candles, but I think the kids did most of the celebrating for him!