Blake rides his bike with NO training wheels!

So while I was at a birthday party with Grant today, Blake decided he wanted to ride his bike without his training wheels. He's been asking for awhile now, but I didn't really think he WANTED to do it. So after bugging daddy a few times today, he finally decided to do it - check out the short video clips below! WAY TO GO BLAKE!!!

Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge 2009

It's been a beautiful and awesome vacation the past 8 days. As I sit here looking out at the view from our cabin's living room - I'm eternally grateful and in awe of God's goodness. I really don't want to leave here tomorrow, but I guess back to reality we must go...

We look forward to many more vacations with our best friends (the Cassidy's) and their girls - another life long friendship totally orchestrated and built by God! We love you guys!!!

The majestic mountain view from our cabin - yep, this is the one I'm looking at right now!

We have 2 hot tubs here at the cabin, this one was deemed the "kiddie pool" - they loved it!

Just like last year, the kids were dying to go to the Nascar Speedpark. Not sure who had more fun - the kids, or Shawn and Kevin!!!

Me and my BFF Linda in our matching Tommy Hilfiger sweatshirts!

A few days after arriving (and after having 70+ degree weather, it snowed for 2 days. I'm actually glad it did, because it was beautiful!!! The hot tub was awesome during this time too! Here are a few view shots from the cabin after the snow had fallen.

Another cool snow shot.

The kids in downtown Gatlinburg.

Our cabin is situated on a cul-de-sac, which is GREAT for the kids to play. They ran around endlessly, played with bubbles and loved playing with the landscaping rocks right in front of our cabin.

The front of our cabin provided a great photo spot - this one is of Grant and Blake.

Here's one of all the kids (minus Megan, who was taking a nap).

We went on a hike to Laural Falls in the Great Smokey Mountain Nat'l Park, and on the 1.3 mile trek, we ran across this sign - pretty funny if you saw our Christmas card from a few years ago!

Also along the hike, there were cool picture opportunities like this one.

At the end of the trail, there was this beautiful waterfall, so we had to get a family shot of it.

We have a cool firepit area by our cabin too - so one night after the kids went to bed, it was cigars for the boys and some yummy drinks for us girls!

The 4 BFF's! Thank goodness we figured out how to use the timer on our camera!

Shawn and I by the fire.

Exterior House Painting

So we bit the bullet and paid the big bucks to finally get the trim, gutters, moldings and garage doors painted. We decided to go darker to try and set the house apart from the others on the street and I'm pretty pleased with the color we chose. See if you agree...

The before shot (actually taken when we moved into the house back in 2000)
The after shot, taken today.

Just some random pics from the past few weeks - I haven't had the chance to download everything off my camera until recently, so I finally did that and organized them into their respective folders! Enjoy & have a fabulous weekend!

We love hanging out with the Combs' - and the kids have now formed their very own "Rock Band". They really are precious to watch! Look out Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers, this group is the next big thing!!!

After a very rough day of playing, Evan and Blake take a snooze - so cute!

Blake is armed and ready for attack. Playing gun wars is a favorite around here.
A few weeks ago, Blake and I went on a field trip with his school to bowl. Not quite as easy as the Wii, but Blake actually got very good at it.

Just a family Sunday...

Today was just a day to spend with the family. Shawn had heard of this indoor amusement type place in Lafayette Square's mall - so we decided to head over and see what it was like.

Now let me tell you - if you want a fairly inexpensive place (and I mean cheaper than a day at Kings Island or Carribbean Cove or Dave & Buster's) to have a ton of fun for hours and hours - this is the place. It's called XScape and for $4.99/child and only $8.49/adult - it was worth it.

Now granted, you can spend a lot more b/c the attractions (mini-bowling, putt putt golf, rides, 4-D theatre, go-karts, bumper cars, etc... are all extra (yet still not bad - go-karts were $5 and bumper cars, mini bowling and putt putt $3), as are the arcade games. But included in the price is an all-you-can-eat buffet, drink and dessert station - and it was good - pizza, pastas, salad bar, cookies, cakes and ice cream sundae station, soda, etc... They also have 3 places to eat. You can choose from a Sports Bar, Cartoonland and Movie Theatre (yes, both playing either cartoons or movies with HUGE screens like in the cinemas - we watched part of Journey to the Center of the Earth). You can also play in one of those jumpy things and a climbing thing which is included. We got a card and loaded it up with some cash and it lasted us hours. Oh - and check their specials - if you go on Sunday when they open at 11am, they have 1/2 price attractions until 2pm - so we really made out by riding the rides and stuff before going on to the arcade.

So, as you can see below - it made for a great, rainy Sunday afternoon!

This kinda reminded me a little bit of duckpin bowling - the boys (and even myself) had a good time playing this. We probably played 5-6 games. The boys did really well.

Evan and Daddy wanted to go onto bigger and better things (go-karts), so Grant, Blake and I stayed to play a few more rounds.

Playing on the Pirates of the Carribbean Adventure. Kind-of like a McDonald's Playland type thing.

Blake loved the bouncy house - he spent quite a bit of time jumping around in here!

Daddy, Grant and Evan were lovin' the bumper cars. Here you can see Daddy and Evan pretty good, but I only got Grant's leg in between the two of them as he was turning his around as I took this shot.

The older boys in their element - the go-karts!

Grant's 7th Birthday - Valentine's Day

I'm a little behind on posting these pics - but this past Saturday (Valentine's Day) was Grant's 7th Birthday. I was a little worried about having his party on his actual birthday - fearing that many of his friends might not be able to come due to the "holiday", but he had 15 friends show up to his laser tag party, so he couldn't have been more excited! Here are a few shots from the day...

Getting his VIP armband at the laser tag counter.

Grant with some of his party guests in the party area.

What little boy doesn't like opening presents?!?!

After the laser tag party we headed to church, then went to the RAM for dinner (if you're interested, kids eat for $1 the entire month of February!!!). We've known the manager there for years, so she gave Grant this huge dessert called the Mile High Pie for his birthday - all 5 of us ate it and we still couldn't finish it!!!

Friday the 13th Cycle-A-Thon at the YMCA

Every year the YMCA hosts a fundraising campaign to raise money for kids who can't afford their programs. It's called the Strong Kids Campaign - because the YMCA will NEVER turn away someone because of their inability to pay.

Part of this campaign is the Cycle-A-Thon. Shawn has been a Spinning instructor practically since the day I met him. He's been working as an instructor at the Y for about 7 or 8 years now, and since it's tough economically for everyone this year - he wanted to step up the sponsorship goals of those who take his classes. He said that IF the people who took his classes raised $2000 by the time his session took place on Friday the 13th at 5:30 pm, he would shave his head immediately following the class. Well, we did it (thanks Bruce and John - they definitely upped the stakes and pushed us all to make it happen)! The Strong Kids have everyone who contributed to thank!!! And honey - you look really cute bald!!!

Bruce, Shawn and John - the "before" look!

Denise thanking everyone before Shawn's session started.

Yep, we love you and taking your class Shawn - and we can't wait to see you get your head shaved!!!

The crowd begins to gather - and our kids get a front row seat to see daddy lose his hair!

Our friend Travis gets to do the honors - he's a baldy by choice too, so he had all the proper tools! Evan doesn't look too sure in the background - but he thought dad did a good thing! Blake was just enjoying the free pizza!

First line going, going, gone...

We figure this is what Shawn will look like in 20 years when just the top part of his head is without hair! hahaha!

The finished product!!!

Sandra made this awesome cookie cake - we both came up with the concept of making the cookie the shape of his head (with his blond highlights) and having it say "No More Hair 'Cuz You Care!" It was all for the Y kids!!!

You look great babe!!! Everyone at the Y appreciates what you did for them!!!

Valentine's Day Party at Preschool

Today I went in to help out at Blake's preschool - he was pretty excited about their Valentine's Day party - so here are a few shots of him and his classmates having a good time!

Blake - ready to party!
"Fishing" for hearts.
Look at those cute little hands folded in prayer before he ate his cupcake!!!
Blake's table of friends.
Gotta love the games!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVAN!!!

In addition to my "old lady" aches and sprains - I have one more reason to feel quite old today! My very first baby is 11!!!

It's been a busy day so far - we've been to laser tag, had a pizza party when we came back, a little tag and guns, then Evan's requested chocolate chip cookie cake! I think I'm holding up pretty well for 4 hours of chaos (and some of them are still going strong as I type). But overall, it's been a pretty good day for Evan.

As for me, I'm taking it all in pretty slow. I wasn't even in labor with him yet this time 11 years ago (well, I kinda was, I just didn't know it at the time). So, until 10:46pm, he's still 10 to me (and even that is too old for my liking)!!!

So how did he go from this cute little baby . . .

To this giant human being???

Evan and his friends in the briefing room at Xsite Laser Tag.

Evan's friends raise a toast to him - it was pretty cute actually. Some said "to the best friend ever" and another said "to the best party ever".

Opening gifts. Bakugan and gift cards, he couldn't have been any happier!!!

The group from L to R: Justin, Evan, Ryan, Max, Joe & Ben

As if they weren't jacked up enough from sugar soda and pizza - it was time to actually eat the frosted giant cookie!