WIlderness at the Smokies

A few months ago, we were presented with the gift of vacation.  Someone (anonymously) gave us a 3-day vacation, we just needed to pick the days.  So, we picked the beginning of Spring Break. 

 

We haven't been anywhere in 3 years, so we were very excited.  Plus, this trip was nothing we'd ever be able to spend money on, so we were very, very excited!  Very much a blessing for our family!

 

We left Sunday Morning and headed to the Smokies - with absolutely, no idea what to expect!

 Of course, we ate at Cracker Barrel on the way there!

 (and Capps played "the game")

We have no DVD in the van anymore, but the kids did great.  We listened to Mumford and Sons the whole way there and the whole way back, plus tried to find as many states as we could on license plates.  We found 26 on the way there, lost count on the way home.

And Mollee gave herself a mustache!

I'm going to post our trip in a few different entries, but this is what our "relax time" looked liked.  Mollee and Daegan coloring:

Mommy on her laptop and Daddy reading (that wooden cabinet next to Jason was the murphy bed Jase and I got to enjoy):

 Tavis, Mac and Capps watching TV:

Sitting in the Lobby on the "tree furniture":

Only 3 days, but lots of luggage.  While packing, I felt slightly schizophrenic.  Bathing suits, towels, sandals, along with sweaters, boots and thick jackets.

The trip was great fun.  A memory our kids will talk about forever. 

We had passes to the indoor waterpark and we got passes to dry park.  And, of course, it wasn't our money, but we wanted to "get our money's worth".  We also bought arcade credits, so that added to our fun.

It snowed the entire time we were there, which was very exciting.  Our room looked out over the outdoor park. 

 There was one loan duck that was in the pool the entire time we were there.

 Absolutely exhausting and extraordinarily fun!  Thank you, friend for this wonderful gift!

What we've learned about having a puppy...

..in the first week.  Good and Bad (in no paticular order)

1) If you can't find your shoes, look in the back of the dog crate.

2) A roll of toilet paper is a lot more fun to shred than you think.  And not so fun to clean up.

3) You can't plan to run errands all day.  The puppy needs to pee.

4) The hardwood floors are always crumb-free!

5) Antique furniture tastes really good.

6) A bark usually means - It is about to thunder or You are about to hear sirens.

7) The kids are getting better about leaving their toys out, because what you leave out will get chewed.

8) Puppies (at least this one), LOVES to snuggle.

9) We picked the perfect age of kids to have a puppy - old enough to take care of him and young enough to keep him tired of playing.

...Drum Roll Please...

10) If you leave the kitchen chairs out (and not pushed in under the table), he can use them to climb onto the kitchen table.  Just like Mac used to do.

Wax Museum - Winston Churchill

Today was the 5th grade Wax Museum.  Each student picked a historical figure and have studied them for awhile.  The main purpose of this process has been to learn to study something and write a paper on it.  Also, learning to write a speech and memorize it.

Each kid had a booth set up in the gym and was available to give their speech to anyone that visited the wax museum. 

 There was a wide variety of historical characters.

 Even Mary Kay made it this year!

Tavis has been sick this week, but made it to school just for this presentation and then he went home. 

Here is a picture I bet you never thought you'd see - Winston Churchill and Harry Houdini.

The kids did great!

Hat Day

Mac is Funny, just ask him!

Mac informed me today that he thinks he is the shortest kid at school, but he is sure he is the funniest!!!

We've got more 'goof' in our future!

5th Grade Chapel

Recorders by the 5th Grade.  "Amazing Grace" and "Ode to Joy".

See my turkey in the back row (the one that looks like he might need to be in the front row?). 

See the stand second from the left - the one that has no one standing at it.  That was Tavis' stand.  What a nut!

Not sure I've ever mentioned it before on my blog, but I love Mrs. Beirne - such a blessing to our school!

Meet Omar Bradley Brown

Yep, we got a dog!

 

We've talked about getting a dog, back and forth over the past few months.  I stated, only if it could be a Boxer. 

 

This is a long story, but I'll make it as short as I can.  This guy came up for adoption, but I didn't know about it until it was too late.  He had a sister, but she didn't entice me as much, because she didn't have the Boxer markings.

I found out late Friday that the people that had adopted him decided they had too much traveling in their future to keep him.  How could I say No?

He is adorable!  He is 11-12 weeks old.  He has had most of his shots and I was going to get a voucher for his neutering.  How could I say No? 

One day (not even a night yet) and he has done well.  Initially, he ran right into the house, somehow found my office, and pooped in the middle of the floor.  That was his only accident so far.  The kids have been following him around and yelling at him if he squats and running him outside.  They'll be able to do that tomorrow too - and then Monday, I'm on my own.

He is adorable.  He has spent a lot of time with Jason on the screened in porch.  You can tell he is a chewer - so, we'll see if we can stay sane while he is in training.

So, does anyone know who Omar Bradley is?