Catchin' Up in Nashville

After we had our fun Kentucky weekend, we headed back to Nashville for a week of Vacation Bible School. I did not get any pictures, as I did not serve as a volunteer this year. Instead, I sent them two of my best girls to do the job! Firstborn and Twinkle Toes both signed up to help and were placed with the "little ones" tribes. Separately, they both came to me after the first day describing a little person in their group that was shy, crying, unhappy to be there. Both girls took them under their wing and by the second day, they were happy campers. I told them that is exactly why God called them to be volunteers this week. The main leaders needed to focus on the big group, but they were able to help with the little stragglers and love on them!

Our days were busy with watching American cartoons (!), fun with the cousins, sliding on a slip-and-slide, and picking the garden. Our evenings consisted of big country dinners and winding down without any big agendas! We also had a visit from old friends from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and CC's college roommate and his wife. One night we went down to my brother's house to celebrate his firstborn's 14th birthday. I failed to get pictures of so many of these events, but I guess I was busy having fun. That night my son left his camo crocs to his cousin. Big Ben was outgrowing them, so we donated them to cousin and his brothers to come from the Congo. The crocs turned up missing later, then were found...out by the trampoline...with a black garden snake curled up in them! I guess camouflaged little boy crocs would make a good snake bed!

Here are my kids enjoying country air. I know, I know...it's illegal. It was also just a house or two down the road, and at 15 miles per hour! I spent many summers at my Granny's riding to the Taste-E-Freeze in the back of a truck. I guess I just think every kid should at some point!

And the highlight of Sweet Cheeks' summer has been getting to dogsit! My parents, sis-in-law, and in-laws all have little doggies. Since we can't feasibly have a dog in Turkey, she gets to play dogsitter here. In this photo, she is riding my old tricycle (returned to us by our Fort Wayne friends after about 30 years in their attic) as Santa Claus with Waldo in front as the reindeer.

After a fun week up there, we headed down for Memphis time. The middle girls went to camp this week. Here they are in their cabin. I'll admit to lingering a bit, making up their beds, wanting some extra goodbye hugs. What did I get from them? "Ok, mom, we are ok. You can go now." Sigh. It's going too fast.

Creation Museum in Kentucky

My dad treated us all to a family weekend up to Kentucky to see the famous Creation Museum. I highly recommend it! On the way up, we stopped for a bathroom break. Just after this photo, my brother (at the back) jumped out like an ape and scared the kids! The gas station honestly could have been a field trip in itself. The magnets, shot glasses, keychains, hats, t-shirts had the Turkey kids mesmerized.

I was really interested to see the different people groups visiting the museum that day...African-American churches, homeschool groups, senior citizen groups, and even an Amish group. As much as I am discouraged to see the way our country is going, I was encouraged to see these different faith groups touring this museum that gives such honor to God. (Incidentally, these gals below looked like maybe they were in line for the zip line attraction, but I didn't get to stay in this spot long enough to see if they actually did it!)

The wax figures were amazing! Some of them even moved!

 

 This walk through what the Garden of Eden might have looked like was breath-taking!

In this portrayal, Adam had a beard, and Eve had long, dark hair. Just right!

 

This dinosaur moved!

All but 2 grandkids! And the 2 we're praying into this country!

 

 The dino exhibit was amazing! I'm so glad God put dinosaurs in the Bible, and that we can know they walked with man. That's just a lot cooler (and a lot true-er) than the currently taught version.

 

 The outdoor grounds were beautiful.

They also had a petting zoo.

Here are the grandkids offering a big thank you to Grandaddy for the fun weekend!

We went to the Golden Corral for dinner. It's an all-you-can-eat buffet. What did Big Ben ask? "Mama, do they have peanut-butter-and-chips?" Sweet Cheeks asked for a big bowl of Middle Eastern black olives. Of course. They even had cotton candy. Why not?

It was a great weekend, and we are so glad to see faith-based places like this succeed!

Swim Lessons 2013

In spite of our extra day at the Chicago airport, we made it in time for Day 2 of our swim lessons. We were pleased to find these beautiful girls in our class again. I became friends with their mom two years ago while our kids had swim lessons together. She is a precious believer and gave me some cd's from a Christian conference she recently attended.

Big Ben had perfect diving stance for his jumps into the pool!

On the last day, his Papa got to get in the pool with him to learn a few techniques to help him. Big Ben never lost his grin and never took his eyes off his dad.

Again, perfect stance...

 ...for this!

I somehow deleted my photos of Sweet Cheeks, but she really took off in swimming this year, as did her cousin buddy. Maybe we're done with swim lessons for her? As for Big Ben, he sealed his fate for more swim lessons in the future last Friday night. He stood on the diving board with a big float around his tummy. His dad said, "Let's take that off, jump off the diving board, and swim to Papa!" His reply was, "If I take the float off, it makes me kinda sink."

Lake Fun

These two Spring Chicks went to my dad's high school reunion in Murfreesboro. We told them not to be out too late!

 And we took the kids out on the lake. Miss Middler wanted to try the wakeboard.

 She needed balance to ride this. I really think a lot of her playing around with gymnastics helped her. She popped right up and was able to start crossing the wakes.

 Twinkle Toes wanted to try it too. I am so happy they have learned these water sports (and are confident to try them) at such a young age.

Though this is the most exhausting for the driver of the boat, it's the favorite.

 And we finished the day out with kneeboards. Firstborn loves to do this with her cousin.

 It was a fun day on the lake, and we are thankful to get to have these fun memories with family!

Lake Snapshots

We really do hit the ground running. It's easy to get kids over jetlag when there is sun, water, and cousins involved. We took a trip up to the lake for some family fun. We were missing CC, it's always more fun with Papa, but we had a good time. Here are a few snapshots from our first day.