Memorial Day weekend at the lake

Our friends Tommy and Sarah had access to this wonderful lake house for the Memorial Day weekend. So, we got the invite and probably over-stayed our welcome but they kept saying it was fine. We went on Saturday and didn't come back into Cleveland until Tuesday morning. It was great fun and I've got lots of pics to post from that event. Our days pretty much went the same way each day we were there. Sarah and I usually cooked breakfast and we attempted to eat, just the 4 of us, but that didn't happen with 7 children in the house. Then by 10:00 we were mostly all down on the dock, hanging out listening to music and just sitting around. The jet ski didn't stop most days, there was always someone on it. Even Graham and Tucker rode and they LOVED it. Snacks were had about 10:30 and then lunch came about 12 or 12:30 each day. After lunch we did much of the same, hang out on the dock, ride the jet ski and swim in the lake water (not me but the kids did). After lunch is when we'd start thinking about what we were going to do for dinner and then we all pitched in to eat pretty well while we were out there. We grilled a few times and had a roast one night and of course dessert was involved, I mean, I was there right? Matt and April came out during the day on 2 days and Eric and Missy got to come one day/evening as well. Emmy was getting over strep throat so they didn't spend the night, just came to hang out. It was great fun! By the time night came, the adults were toast and pretty much just laid around watching stupid NBA games (can't you tell I love those). However, we did not start laying around until we had a fire in the fire pit every single night making smores.



This was one of those staple activities that the kids looked forward to all 3 nights we were there!! The kids however caught a second wind and would play card games or hide and seek outside - they had a blast!!





Matt and April were such troopers with the kids. Since they don't have any of their own yet, they basically have adopted ours and Tommy and Sarahs as their own. They are super sweet!










This is Graham and April jet skiing, cuties!!











We had some friends come over one day with their boat and they took people out tubing and boat riding. The kids enjoyed this part too.
































Graham and Tucker loved playing on this float thing. It entertained them for quite awhile!








There are 2 really funny things that happened that must be put on record so no one forgets them. First one involves me, unfortunately. Okay, so I'm not an avid water skiier or boater or jet skiier for that matter, I like it but I'd rather let someone else drive while I ride (stop it with the "that's what she said" - i can hear you all saying it). Anyhow, so at first I went with Emma Kate all the time b/c she needed an adult to ride with her. I can't remember if this was Sat. or Sun, that part has slipped my mind. But anyhow, we get done riding and EK pulls it up onto the ramp successfully - we think - and she hops off and heads up the ladder. Well that leaves me by myself and the jet ski sliding off the back of the dock thing and into the water. So, I crank her up and pull around and try not once, twice but 3 times to get it where its supposed to be on the dock. Okay, Tommy enters story. He comes over there to help me or so he thinks to help me. He stands on the dock, full body weight, while I floor the gas and almost drive the jet ski up under the ramp. Well it did go under the ramp and actually even got jammed up and it took an act of Congress to get it out. So when you're using someone else's jet ski, be careful to not floor it with someone's body weight on the dock or you will wreck, as I did. We laughed later about it but I felt TERRIBLE and still do a little bit.

Funny story #2 involves Eric and I have a pic to go along with it.
This is how this story begins. Tommy takes Emmy on the jet ski b/c E&M don't have swimsuits with them. When they get back, Tommy pulls close to the dock so we can grab Emmy and get her back up on the dock. So Eric goes over to get her and I'm not sure really what happened but below is how it ended up.
Yes, that is Eric, on the jet ski, facing the wrong direction and really hanging on for dear life to the side of it. What happened was as he was grabbing Emmy, the jet ski floated away leaving him with a decision to make so he just kind of fell onto the jet ski as shown above. We all laughed pretty hard. Good times.

So, that's about it. Sorry it took so long to post this but at least I got it done!!

Thanks to the Browns for a very fun 3 days!! We'll repay in July.

Knoxville Zoo Trip w/80 first graders

The 1st grade end of year trip was to the Knoxville zoo and Blake had asked a long time ago that I join them. So I did. I planned to take Brett too since I knew he'd enjoy it.


Problem was, that morning Tucker woke up running a fever and throwing up. So, do I say I can't go and just let Blake go or do I just take the 3 of them and leave Graham behind at Parents Day Out.

I had my mind made up until I realized how important it was to Blake that I go, so I decided to make the trek in the car to the zoo with 3 of my 4 children. It was a great day and they got to see lots of things. Luckily, I have a 19 year old cousin who offered to meet me there and help manage my crew, boy am I glad I did. He was lots of help!!





Tucker was okay, he was pretty puney and tired but he managed to do okay and have a good time.



Below is my boys and me, Tucker would not cooperate for this picture but whatever.









It was a good trip and I'm glad I made the decision I made. BUT I am good on the zoo thing for at least a couple of years!

One quick thing to say

Okay, I need to just put this up because to me it's hilarious.

Setting: Saturday morning in the living room.

Brett (looking at my new Fitness magazine): "Blake look at this girl, she has her underwear on!"
In his total middle child snickering voice.

Blake: "Brett that is inappropriate for you to be looking at those pictures" In his total first born, rule following voice.

Seriously?!? Hilarious - I laughed pretty hard and just knew that would make a very cute and funny blog post.

Don't worry, I've got more coming this weekend. Stay tuned for a zoo trip with 2 well children and 1 sick one. And also 3 days at the lake jet skiing. You're in for a treat!

Kentucky Derby - partay!!

We have some good friends from Kentucky and they like to celebrate and have a shin-dig when it's derby time. One condition - you must wear a dress and a hat; as if you were at the actual derby. We went last year and it was a blast so we got re-invited to celebrate this ole Kentucky tradition (including standing to sing My Old Kentucky Home song - is that the right name??).

I DID have a hat on but I took it off right before this picture was taken. Plus the brims really get in the way of a really good picture. :)




This is our very dear sunday school teacher and his wife. Scott had on his jockey style cap, it was great fun.









Tommy and Sarah were there as well and Sarah couldn't get much closer without close-lining Tommy's face with the bill of her cute black hat.










Will played in the rainiest Brainerd Invitational ever known to man this weekend. I bet he spent 5 hours in the pro shop on 2 different rain delays. Oh well, he still finished 9th in the 1st flight and won a $75 gift cert. to the pro shop there. Nice!



















Tuck and Graham cheesing it up. They had a good time at the derby party too. They played with all their friends and just toddled around seeing what everyone was doing.




Graham is taking a turn with the hat right here. He likes hats, actually they both do - kind of funny. Mostly ball caps but this one did the trick for Graham on this night.







This is Blake and his buddy Joseph or Jophis as Brett calls him. Blake and Joseph are pretty much inseparable. I think they'd move in together if they thought they could get away with it. Right here, being as goofy as they always are, wrestling away in the wet grass.






Missy and Emmy posing the for the cam.
















If 2 1/2 year olds could truly have best friends, I believe that Tucker's best friend - if asked - would be Tommy. I mean Tommy and Graham might be tied for #1 but they'd both be up there.









And this is classic Will ruining a perfectly good picture by sticking out his tongue and acting like he hasn't any sense. These are the 3 musketeers, pretty good friends.





And this might be one of the sweetest pictures taken all night long. Sarah is teaching her son, in 6th grade, how to slow dance. This one is for the scrap books so when we're old and 60 we can look back at this one and realize how precious time is!!




Oh yea, the derby - can't you tell I was totally into it? I was busy taking pictures the whole night, but that's what I love to do.

Dead or alive?

This is what I had to ask myself after finishing my 2nd 1/2 marathon ever on Saturday. It was the Nashville Country Music Half Marathon, mind you, and I hate country music. But, this has become a Lee event through and through and one I'll probably participate in until I just can't possibly do it anymore. However, this year compared to last year, was ridiculously much harder. This year I decided to run a mile, then walk a mile and that is exactly how I trained. Last year, I walked 12 miles and ran the last one to the finish line. My time last year, you might ask, was 3:03 and 19 seconds. So, surely I could shave off those 3 measly minutes since I'm running half of it, RIGHT? Nope, my time this year, you might ask, was 3:03 and 17 seconds. 2 seconds faster than last year and my body actually did half running/half walking.

This year Will decided to not train much therefore he committed to stay with me the entire race. Well, I knew I was in for some persuasion since I have been married to him 10 years and I know his personality. So about 1/2 mile in, here comes the persuasion. Surely we can make it to the first water stand running right Andrea? Sure thing honey. Well that was before the marathon committee decided to change the course this year and add 1 million more hills! Needless to say, I almost had to cuss Will to get him to let me walk in the beginning when the hills felt like they'd never end. I gave him the ole, "honey, I told you it would be annoying for you to try to push me beyond what I've trained for." So, he backed off and with his sweet laid back-ness, he stayed with me walking and running the entire rest of the race.

Around mile 12, my legs had so many cramps in them, I'm pretty sure I looked handicapped hobbling into the final mile. At one point, I had to stop and stretch out my legs just to get some relief. This coming after I almost chuked my "Gu" twice and had to hold it back for fear of embarrassment.

In the end, I was so happy to cross the finish line and see familiar faces who also had just finished up. Friday night at Bucca was a blast, food and company was a lot of fun. The whole atmosphere in the morning (even though we missed the group picture b/c the buses were moving slowly) is quite exciting. 33,000 people dressed and ready to complete the same goal, it's a lot of hype but well worth it.

So, all in all, great experience. We'll see about #3 for 2010, my guess is I'll get roped in again and experience all of this same stuff for a 3rd time.

Here we are below in our bright orange Lee University shirts.

Jump rope and outside toys

Blake is into to jumping rope these days. They must do it at the YMCA after school program or in gym class at school. So, we all decided we'd take a turn. Theses are funny pics.














First Eric tries it.














Then Will tries it.























Missy is pretty good at it but she complained it hurt her feet too bad.











I was pretty much terrible at it. I had a serious allergy attack at their house. The pollen got to me at the baseball park and by the time I got there, I was one big mess. Watery, itchy eyes, sneezing my head off, nose stuffed up - couldn't smell a thing unless it was one of the twins poopy diapers. Can't help but smell those rotten things.








Let's be honest, my boys love playing outside. They'll do whatever outside; run around, bikes, cars, dirt, swings, trucks, you name it, they will play it outside.








Even if it's pink and has princesses all over it - doesn't matter. Tucker is shown here riding the girly scooter complete with the basket for fresh flowers on the front.
















It was a fun weekend besides the pollen. The rain will help that we are getting today. I can't wait for more weather like Saturday, it rocked!

The baseball park, our second home

We are spending quite a lot of time at the baseball park these days. Only Blake is playing right now so I feel like it is going to get a lot worse! Anyhow, we like it and we make it a family affair. I took some cute shots this weekend. It was gorgeous weather and it wasn't too hot or too cool, it was just right.




This is Blake on first base and here he is running the bases.


He's a good little athlete at 7 years old and he enjoys doing it.











Here's all the fans as they run around in the dirt around the bleechers. They get nasty, I mean nasty at the ballpark. They sit in the dirt and build things and pick up rocks and "make dinner" with them. It's cute and they do have fun. Usually we come straight home to the bath tub.






Here's Spiderman Brett. That's what I call him when he scales the fence like this. He loves to do this and pretty good at it.








This might be one of my new favorite pics. I took this one of Blake looking through the fence and the corner of the dugout. I'm pretty sure he wanted me to stop taking pics but it was enjoyable to me. Teeth at this age are a dead give-away. They come in so big and so unproportional (is that a word?) to the size of their face. Anytime I see a child with this look, you just know, they must be 6 or 7. Cute! :)


















And one more. Blake's not usually a poser but for this one he had hand on hip and ready to go. Mr. GQ. He looks 14 to me in this pic. He's really only 7.