Not so new obsession

So, I have an ongoing obsession with birds. I love birds. I have multible feeders in my backyard. I try to spot them when driving. I have even pulled over to the side of the road to get a better look. But, I would NEVER keep one as a pet. In my mind, they make for dirty pets, and noisy pets...they are much better in the wild.

Summer Vacation

As some of you know, we were set to spend a week at our favorite beach in Fort Morgan, AL on the beautiful Gulf Coast. Well, BP has managed to cover 1/3 of our Gulf in nasty oil sludge. It is hard to feel too bad about missing our vacation there when others have lost so much more in the oil disaster.

Anyway...needless to say we continued on with our vacation plans but moved them to the beautiful Norris Lake north of Knoxville. Then we went to the Great Smokey Mtns. to Cade's Cove and some hiking. We ended up having a wonderful time and making great memories in the process. Hope you enjoy just a small offering of the hundreds of pictures we took. :)



This is after our 2 hour hike to Laurel Falls in the POURING rain and thunder. It was only a little cloudy when we began the hike, and we were literally soaked by the end. Fun times...


At the Falls...Proof we made it, despite the rain.

Cade's Cove. I loved this picture.

The kids LOVED this tube thing. They had such a great time on it.

Crazy tubers :)

On the boat...

Even Hannah gave it a try.

Hike season is here...

Finding eggs in the pond.



Thought they were tad poles, but now we think they are fish of some sort?



1st order of business on a hike, find a good walking stick.




Our jar of nature...

Posts to practie a little Karate.

Yippee, a walking stick just for my Hannah Bear.

Google Eyes

Everyone has fears and things that make them nervous. Mine is google eyes. I am not afraid of them, but they do make me nervous. I like to look people in the eye when I talk to them, so when I see a google eye, i look at it. Then when I should be listening to that person talk, I start to worry that they see I am looking at their google eye and not the good eye. Then I switch focus to the good eye and worry that the person saw me switch to the good eye and knew I was looking at the google eye...see what I mean. One of my many quirks. Please forgive me.

Well, my family loves to make google eyes, so I have caught some on film...here are the results.

Rebekah and Ethan

Scott...he is so good at this.

Andy just looks drunk :)

One of my personal favsorites.

Another Scootch classic look.

Open letter to the one I love (not Andy)...

Dear Sugar,

Before Christmas you and I broke up. It was tough. I missed you terribly. But, we were apart for 10 whole weeks. But, I took you back during the holidays...big mistake. Since then you and I have struggled back and forth in our relationship. I am writing to tell you it is over. Please listen this time. I really have had enough of you. You make me so tired and fell so gross. You hurt me in so many ways, it is hard to count. You try and make me feel good, but it never lasts. This break-up is so difficult because I know I will continue to love you and desire you, but it has to STOP.

I also wish you could let me go. I am so sick and tired of you hiding all over the place. Even when I feel like I am making a healthy choice, boom, there you are hiding in the fine print. I hate you for it. You think it is okay to show up at every social event I attend? It is NOT OK! Plus, do you think it is okay with me how close you have become to my children? I know they love you too Sugar, but your time with them will be very limited. You are making them sick as well. Bottom line: You are one sick puppy, Sugar. And though I may entertain you on occasion, consider this the END of our long and unhealthy relationship!!!

I mean it!

No longer yours,

Jen

you could be in pictures...according to mom

Just braggin' on my girls. I feel I have every right to do so as their Mom. It is so very awesome and fun to be Mom to four fun and beautiful girls. I love every one of them.

All I want is a room somewhere...

For a long, long time I have wanted an area designated as our school room, but could not figure out how to do it. Well, just after Christmas an idea struck me. I talked to Andy and we got to work and in two long days we transformed our unused dining room into a school room. It is neat and organized, and hopefully it will stay that way. :)