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. :)

Signs...

So...My sister and I have always been fans of funny church signs. Now we have texting, we like to text them to one another. For the two of us corny=funny, so these types of signs are the best. Did you know there is a whole book of them. I always wonder if the Pastors have special idea books, or if they just come up with them on their own. Beth recently found on that said; "God answers Kneemail". HeeHee, I love it!!!!

Good clean fun

The girls and I went to see this musical yesterday at the Old Spring Hill High School. It was so refreshing to see a show that was clean, fun, and enjoyed by all, we didn't even have to sit through questionable previews. FYI-They still run for one more weekend, see it if you can.

Promise Fulfilled

Ricks College Days...Pics of my best buds (Tanya, Jeni, Johnny, Annissa, and my bro Brian). Notice the cool glasses we found in JB'S lost and found.

How did we ever study/move/sleep in this room? CRAZY...but FUN!!!!

Me looking goofy as usual...

Johnny drawing (with permanent marker!!!) a picture of me and Tanya fencing. We took that class together, but if I recall correctly it was really me stabbing Tanya. I think Johnny felt bad for Tanya and switched us in the drawing. :)

Camping at Bear lake. The lake was frozen and so were we. Luckily someone left the door to this campsite lodge open so we could go in and freshen up. Hee Hee.


Ah...the good old days of looking cute and having fun in a very crazy way.

Best insult ever on film.

I totally forgot this classic line until watching the movie recently. I always thought Karate Kid had some good lines, but come on...this one is brillant!!!

can WEIRD be a family trait?

Google eye Scott

Bucky teeth Rebekah...Big nostril Rachel

appoved picture of Beth...forehead only...

Good thing I married someone who fit right into the family...

confessions of a Terrible Mom

Well, today I told my kids after dinner I was running next door to see how my neighbor's move was going. Everyone heard (or so I thought), and the 2 youngest went over with me and the oldest followed after a few minutes. Well, my middle one was so into getting her job of dish washing done she didn't hear me or her older sister say where we were going. When her chores were done she did not know where we all had gone. Luckily, she went to our backyard friend's house who saved the day and calmed her down. I was right outside but she couldn't see me when she looked. Thank you Mia for saving the day.

I am grateful for good friends and neighbors. :)

She's BACK...

Yippee!! I will laugh every time I see this.

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

What is this?

Do you TWITTER? Um...What exactly does that mean? Please someone explain this and if it what I think it is, will someone explain one more thing...WHY?

Too Bad...

Too bad my kids have my sense of humor. Too bad my girls think pulling their pants up too high is funny. Too bad I got a picture of it. Too bad they will someday hate me for putting it on my blog. I love these wild and crazy girls.

Learning Style

I recently took a learning style quiz from a link I received from a homeschooler. I thought this was interesting (but who knows how accurate). See what your learning style is at:

http://www.homeschoolviews.com/quiz/quiz.html

Her are my results-