In Georgia right now the weather is just right for a picnic, not to hot not to cold.  We do a lot of camping and grilling out places other than home.  What I like to do is keep as many of our supplies as possible, packed and ready.  It really makes life a LOT easier. So I compiled a list of things you may want or need for your picnic:
*Somewhere to sit, if no table is available, like an old bedspread or tablecloth--- to spread out on the ground
* A knife, spoons, eating utensils (I like to preslice anything I can and use plastic utensils)
* Plates, and cups (throw away is always easier on cleanup)
* Bottle opener,or corkscrew if needed
* Small salt and pepper shakers
* Garbage bags (always pack out what you packed in)
* Food storage bags for leftovers, or just serve your food from food storage bowls
* Paper towels, napkins, or wet wipes

If you think I have missed something or think I should add something, I would love to hear from you!

On our recent adventure trip to the mountains the kids all got to choose something they have never done before to try. Zane, Will and Kayla all tried bull riding on the mechanical bull in Cherokee, NC. The operator was great he was gentle on Kayla and Zane, but tried a little harder to throw Will.

Ansley wanted to try the Haunted Mineshaft, because she has never been in a haunted house before. Mattlyn went with her even though she goes to the haunted houses every October with me and Billy. There was one guy that worked it everything else was animated but I guess that guy was good at his job because she came out crying and swearing that she would never go to another one.

Melanie didn’t want to ride the bull or go to the haunted house, but she did try something new along with all the other kids. There were these giant beach balls that the kids got inside and were rolled into a pool. Standing was apparently very hard because none of them were good at it. If they could maneuver their ball enough they could bump into each other. They had a lot of fun and we really enjoyed watching them fall all over the place.

During this trip Melanie and Ansley also got to go up and rain dance with the Indians that perform in the middle of town. They had a ball! Thanks to their rain dance we found ourselves making new friends with all the motorcycle groups that also found themselves parked under the hotel and gas station awnings trying to avoid drowning. You meet some very nice people on the road sometimes.

Helpful Sites For Scrappers

 http://www.4shared.com/u/pggzmmtt/8b0a89d7/Skrapbuk.html

http://www.clubscrapcommunity.com/main-inspiration/library/tutorials/tv-weekly
http://www.strongstamps.com/
http://www.judikins.com/

http://tvweekly.blogspot.com/

Scrapbooking video...

Learn about patterned paper for scrapbooking and record memories in this free video on arts and crafts. Get scrapbooking and journaling ideas.
http://www.ehow.com/video_4438457_patterned-paper-scrapbooking.html




Read more: Patterned Paper for Scrapbooking
eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/video_4438457_patterned-paper-scrapbooking.html#ixzz1V7UG6uk0

How to make envelopes...

This blog has a lot of useful instructions.  Check it out out...     


http://melstampz.blogspot.com/2008/07/5-12-inch-square-envelope-template-lots.html

Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is beautiful all year round.  We took this trip in June.

 Here are all the kids lined up for one of many photo ops.

 

Sisters!

 Loading up!  

 The Parkway is incredible, our pics don't do it justice.

                                                 On the road again!

 

I recommend a visit to http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/index.php#

Stumphouse Tunnel Park and Issaqueena Falls

Whenever we can we take the kids and a couple Jeeps and head toward adventure.  On this trip we set a goal for the kids to all try something they had never done before.  This part of the trip was at the Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls, near Walhalla, SC.

Walhalla is beautiful.  It is in the mountains, there are a number of water falls,and parks, it is just a great place to take the kids.

Zane

Ansley and Melanie

Kayla, Mattlyn, Melanie, Ansley, Will, and Zane



If you live anywhere near Walhalla, SC pack a picnic and go visit.



For information on Stumphouse Tunnel Park and Issaqueena Falls visit http://www.oconeecountry.com/stumphouse.html

First Day of School Pictures

This was last year(l to r)

Melanie 12- 6th grade

Kayla 15- 9th grade

Ansley 12, 7th grade

and Mattlyn 14-9th grade.

Now this year-Ansley 13- 7th grade

Mattlyn 15- 10th grade

Melanie 13- 7th grade

Kayla 16- 10th grade

They all have changed so much.


P.S. Thanks to Matti for making sure I got first day pictures even though I slept in.

The first day of school

Wow! Summer flew by, it feels like just yesterday last school year ended and now it is time to start all over.  So here we are all full of hopes and expectations for the coming year.  Making vows and setting goals-this year will be different.  This will be the year when everyone does their work and we don't get phone calls from angry teachers.  This is the year I am not screaming "BUS!!!!" at the top of my lungs.  This is the year that the kids actually use the brains that the good Lord gave them for good, not evil.  This isthe year everyone is in bed on time and up on time. This is the year I don't have one story about how stupid my kids school is!  I can feel it, and I can't wait!  Happy school year people!

For anyone that has not seen this blog, you really need to check it out.  These parents thougt it would be funny to embarrase their son by waving at the bus ad like all great ideas it just grew from there. 
http://waveatthebus.blogspot.com/
Here are all his costumes in a youtube montage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH_2h8rtfdU

Progreso, Mexico

Our first stop was in Progreso.



Our bus driver said this road was wiped out in a hurricane a few years back.



Progreso has a super long pier, so you have to get on a bus to ride to the end. On the bus they played American songs but with a Spanish accent.  It tripped me out. 

Once we got off the pier the town was small and kind of rundown, but you could see that it was once a beautiful place.

We did the most fun thing and probably a little of the dangerous side, we took a double-decker bus tour.  That is where most of these pics were taken.





We were very close when we passed cars, trucks or people.  It was a little scary.





The power and phone lines are pretty low in the town so while we were riding along on top of the bus, the tour guide would yell "DUCK!"  The lines were really only inches over the top of the bus.  It was crazy!

That is a school behind our tour guide.  He said it was an elementary school in the mornings and a high school in the afternoon.

I just love this pic.

The rest are just some sights from our tour around Progresso. 

Kayla the fearless

Well if you look closely at her face you can see she wasn't exactly fearless, but she got on that bull and she rode it!

These were taken in Cherokee, NC on our weekend Jeep trip.

Happy 16th baby, we are proud of you!