Thursday, August 18, 2011

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.



Tuesday, August 16, 2011

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

Monday, August 15, 2011

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

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

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#

Monday, August 8, 2011

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

Saturday, August 6, 2011

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.