Guntersville

The kids wanted to go hiking, so we headed to Guntersville yesterday.

On the way there, the tail light cover fell off the van, so we had to make a run to buy some red tape for the light.  The check engine light came on briefly, but has stayed off since.  That thing just likes getting my stomach acid up.  We had the code checked while at the car parts place and it was 'multiple cylinder misfire'.  That was a new one!  O'Reiley's and Auto Zone will both do a diagnostic free and they both have different interpretations for the same code.  I am going with air hose leaking again and will check it later this week.  Jake thought it might have gone off because of the tail light cover.  : D

Morning Glories

 

Fajita Ninja SlipNSlide Birthday Bash

Only someone with a serious prior commitment would be able to turn down an invitation like THAT one! 

We all headed to Suzette's for the evening for the big party to celebrate Zachary's 9th birthday.  We had a blast, food and playing and being wet and running around, even the occasional fire ant attack did not deter the fun!

Instead of posting 100 of the 700 pictures I took, I am just posting some collages I made from the other 600 pictures I had leftover after I resized my favorites.  I went a little nuts, but it was so much fun, I could not resist getting a little shutter happy!

Pool!

Today the kids and I headed out to the pool for several hours.  We were the only ones in the pool area though there were some mommy-toddlers in the kiddie pool for a little while. 

We had a great time, I really enjoy hanging out with the kids, they are so funny and so smart, it's been a true pleasure to see them growing up and to be a big part of their lives.  There are days when I can't wait to see what the next phase brings and there are days when I panic about how quickly time is passing.  Then there are days, like today, when I just want to be where they are for a while.

They jumped off the diving board, we swam, we played all kinds of games, we talked and talked and talked, I bounced and kicked and jogged the whole time we were in the water, we all lined up and kicked our legs a while.  I can't do that for long!  The water was perfect, about 85 degrees, cool enough that you could not just stand still.  The sun was warm, but not really baking like it has been.  We still made it home with pink faces, though!

classic looking-right-at-the-camera Chan pic!  ; )

Ben phsaws goggles and uses his bare eyes to look around underwater. 
Then they turn glowy red and scare people.

create movement to rebel against staying longer, he was ready to go.