BUSY, BUSY Day

This week was a busy one. Lots going on. Appointments, activities, work, over-time, you know, the typical stuff of a very active family.

Well, today was NO different. Even though I ran 2,000+ miles and unloaded 3 trucks of snack cakes, I needed to mow the lawn today, visit the dr, stop by the bank, get the oil changed in the pick-up and study to teach SS tomorrow.

Doreen, meanwhile was cleaning the house on the inside, folding laundry, running to the store, stop by the bank, write a thank you note, wrangling 2 girls make 3 meals, plan for some friends coming by and study to teach SS tomorrow.

Lots going on as I say. So we're glad to have a moment to rest.

Boy, we are thankful for the weekend! Gotta run to KY tomorrow night, but tomorrow is truly a day of rest! Oh yeah!!!

As I was mowing, I had my 'little' 64mb mp3 player along listening to some tunes to help the time pass. Just for kicks here's what I was listening too...

B-52's - Love Shack
Jimmy Buffett - Another Saturday Night
Captain & Tenille - Love will Keep Us Together
Cheap Trick - I Want You to Want Me
Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4
Kelly Clarkson - Go
Christopher Cross - Arthurs Theme
El DeBarge - Who's Johnny
Teddy Geiger - For You I Will
Holu - Perfect Day
Huey Lewis & The News - Power of Love
Journey - Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin
Six Pence None the Richer - Kiss Me
Starship - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
Weird Al Yankovic - I Love Rocky Road

Artsy Fartsy Video Pt 2

Went to Burger King this week and my kid got this toy - thought it would be fun to video - just for kicks! By the way its Optimus Prime of the Transformer. Awesome! Loved those robots as a kid! Can't WAIT to see the movie.

Enjoy this... for now!

Check out this video: Toy Playing



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Butterfly Whisperers

At the Tennessee Aquarium they have a Butterfly room. It's just a humongous room where they have all stages of life of a butterfly for everyone to see. We enjoy going in there early in the day because it's pretty easy to 'hold' a butterfly. This week when we were there, their were a ton of people.

We were just getting ready to walk out when my daughter's friend, Jannah, got a butterfly - so they all passed it around. Each had a chance to hold it and this butterfly seemed to be comfy with them all. It was very cute!

Cute enough I took video of each holding the critter. Enjoy!

Jannah



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Joelle



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Natalie



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Round & Round & Round & Round

Today we went to the TN aquarium - it was HOT outside and we spent some time at the local fountain frolicking (Watch for posts later) then went into the Aquarium to be cool and enjoy the view.

Having fun, I took some video of the girls and wife going through one of them rotary doors. :)

NOTICE: The kids really enjoyed it, but look at the glance from Doreen. He, he, he!

Revolving Door



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36 OR 1st Purse as an Adult

Doreen just got an updated cell phone. We had to upgrade cuz she is starting school soon and we've got to get two phones the same to be able to put a schedule on them and keep us organized with everthing going on.

The phone is a bit bigger and she decided its time to get a purse to keep everthing together - so after 36 years Doreen's got her 1st purse.

Wow! :)

Jumpin' In

Last Friday was the last day of swimming class for Joelle & Natalie. They both passed Level 2 swimming. That's pretty good after having no lessons at all before.

So, next year, level 3 for both of them.

On the last day, Natalie got a chance to jump off the starting blocks. Here's a quick little vid of it for y'all to enjoy.

(BTW, although I didn't record it, the boy that went before she did did a MASSIVE belly flop and ptobably really stung. Everyone could hear it throughout the pool area! :)

Jumpin' In



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Locked Down!

So about a week or so, I walked in from the garage over to our desk. We'd just come back from some errands and I see our wireless router lights flashing. That doesn't usually happen unless someone's online.

I was in teh basement, Doreen and the girls were headed upstairs so I knew someone in our house wasn't online.

I checked the router and found a 'foreign' system using our wireless.

Lately, it seems our high-speed has been slowing down a bit. Obviously it was cuz more than just Doreen and I were using the signal.

Thought I had it locked down when I put the system together - boy was I wrong.

So, I asked a friend for a idea of what I may have done wrong, got the correct instructions and boom - now we're locked down tighter than Fort Knox. Ok - maybe that's a bit of an exageration, but we are now LOCKED DOWN!!! :)

Artsy Fartsy Video

Ok - I've done some things for pics and what-not, now that I've 'learned' to embed video - had to do one of these in video.

This is just a goofy little toy my girls have, a frisbee the 'pops' into a ball.

Joelle put it down once and it popped. Cool I thought - gotta catch that on video for 'just this purpose.'

Here it 'tis...


Ball Poppin



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Little Miss 4 Eyes OR Sprinkler Runnin!

My little girl is growing up and these new glasses sure make her look a bit older.

They were supposed to be here a week ago, but the frames were back ordered - which they failed to mention at the time.





So they finally came in and thankfully they really help her see clearer. At some friends, she pointed out some details on a center-piece they have on their table that she never noticed before. I'm sure glad they help. (They better for the price we paid! GRIN)




Had to take a shot of little Natalie enjoying her ice-cream cone as well. They're both precious! Just wish they'd stop growing up SO fast!



As Scott mentioned in a previous post - yeah, better watch out. Now that I know how to embed video into this thing - you might see a whole lot more!




Here's the kids (J&N in the black outfits) running through the sprinkler on a HOT Tennesse day with some friends.

Sprinkler Run



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Back to 3 Trips a Week

My week, busy, busy, busy!

After running only my normal 2 trips a week for the last few weeks because of vacation and activities we had going on after vacation - I'm back to running 3 a week to help us get the cash together to pay for the kids school, some medical stuff we've had done, some vehicle work and a vacation trip coming up in July/Aug.

So I had a run out Sat night, back Sun at 2p. Trip out Mon a noon back today (Wed) at 2p. Leaving out tomorrow at 8a and back Friday around lunch. So the only day my family doesn't see me is Tuesday. That is awesome. Feel wore out though cuz my long one was long! Another thing with the long trip, I was in an new '07 truck. It should right smoothly right? I mean all the '07's we have do. No this one, it 'rode like a bucking bull.' We couldn't figure out why. Yeah - all you drivers know right. Sure enough - some team in this truck slid the 5th wheel all the way back! Argh - it sure made a rough ride. When did we brilliant guys figure this out? After we finished the trip at home. AAARRRGGGHHHHHH!!! I'll be prepared from now on - don't want another ride like that!!!

While I was on trips though I did make sure to take a chance to take a couple 'artsy fartsy' pics and a video - just for kicks.

Enjoy!

Truck Backing



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Took this backing into the warehouse where I picked up some stuff to bring back home. 40,000 lbs worth of stuff! :) I LOVE backing up a truck. It is a challenge, but now that I don't have a 53' trailer or have to worry about apartment complexes or moving furniture - back up a truck is a blast!



Just outside Chicago, IL in the suburb of Melrose Park, where I was at the warehouse I video'd backing into, the Metra train came blasting by 3 times before I decided to pull out my camera and snap this shot. I really like how it turned out.






Heading into Chicago from Michigan, I was driving into the light and decided to take this just for the fun of it!

A GREAT Father's Day

I just want to say "Thanks" to my precious wife and wonderful daughters for a great father's day!

Last night, I had to leave home on a trip to 4 stops around Nashville. A 350+ mile run.

The cool thing about the run, is even though we left at 11p and stopped to sleep 4 hours, we still got the truck empty and I was home by 4 o'clock.

Got home and was given some awesome cards made by my precious little girls. Natalie made about 6 for me, and had to explain each one. CUTE!!!

Then we all changed and headed to the rec facility to go swimming. We swam quite a while, then home for a quick dinner and then yummy ice cream. They got my favorite, Mint Chocolate Chip - heavenly!

After that, we hit the beddy bye routine, read a story, and then the Bible story. A few moments of play then to sleep for the kiddos.

Doreen and I did a few last minute things, then got a 'real' bowl of ice-cream and went downstairs to watch a movie we picked up at a use DVD place, the Shadow Riders. It's based on a Louis L'Amour book. Pretty good!

Now I'm spending a few moments checking stuff on the computer and got to hit the sack for an early, 6am trip to Northern Michigan.

Very, VERY Cool day!

Happy Father's Day!!!

Special Music

Joelle & Natalie (in the red dresses) and their friends, Nathan, Jannah & Daniel had special music for church this Sabbath. They did an awesome job.

It's called 'Jesus Sees' and here it is for you to enjoy!

Special Music



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This week - Basically - in Pics

We got to the pool one morning and while we were waiting for the lessons to start, Natalie was just patiently waiting. What a cutie!


Joelle swimming along.


Natalie doing her swimming thing.


Checking out the #43 Cheerios Dodge of Bobby Labonte at Wal-Mart. Awsome dude!




Yeah - we had a pretty good group attending Ooltewah's Avalanche Ranch! Course - that means lots of work for the 'Ranch Hands!' :)

Artsy Fartsy v 2

A bit of history on the title, for you new-comers. My brother-in-law, after I got my digital camera and began snapping all sorts of pics, once reminded (repremanded) me on how nice it is to just take pictures of things around. I don't always have to have a 'person' as the focus of a photo. You know what, he was right. I'd forgotten that over the years of having a 'film' camera and working at a ministry - you are 'careful' with your shot. But with the freedom of the digital format - one can go crazy. And I do - mostly with people, but I do make sure to find 'artsy fartsy' pics occassionally to be creative - see what I can see and to appease my brother in law! He, he, he!

So enjoy these next few photos!

At the Avalanche Ranch VBS at our church, our musicians lined their guitars up on this little 'fence' that was built for decoration. I couldn't help but think of the western frontier with horses at a hitching rail - and this kinda reminded me of that! :)




One of the nights, the snack included an Oreo cookie on a plate. Don't know what the rest included cuz I was out playing games the whole night, but when I walked through the kitchen - I couldn't pass this up. Kinda cool!
















Between swimming, lunch and VBS, we had to stop by Wal-mart to pick up a few necessary things. We try to go only once a week, but sometimes we forget something, or plans change - anyway - as we walked in, we saw the NASCAR, Bobby Labonte #43 car parked in front. I had to see it - so we walked over and checked it out. Thankfully cuz of swimming and VBS I had our camera with me - took some shots with the girls then tried an AF Pic!


These are kickboards. They use them to help kids learn how to swim - without drowning. :) After the kids got out and hit the showers, the staff stacked these and I thought it'd be a cool pic! :)
What do you think?












Looking down into the pool, I saw the typical lane markers. Wondered how it'd look in a pic. The first one I took the water was too calm, nothing different really. Then someone jumped in and as the ripples came by, I snapped this photo with this unique perspective on it. Fun fun!

All right! Enjoy!

What a week!

We enjoy VBS - helping put one on that is - but we're always thankful to have it done and over with too!

And what is with so many other things going on while VBS is in session? It always seems like we've got 6 things to do while we're helping out at VBS.

This year as I mentioned the girls were in swimming lessons.

So lession in the morning, errands, home lunch, activities at home, then VBS in the evening. Seemed like it was non-stop!

It was good though - I hope those kids were blessed.

Anyway, through the 'magic' of the internet and using myspace page to get videos to show up here.
Something else cool to see etc!

So enjoy these shots of the girls at their swimming lessons.

Here's Joelle learning at level 3...

JP Swimmin



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Here's Natalie learning at level 2...

NP Swimming



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Video Blog Test #1

Hope this works! :)

NASCAR 21 Car Engine



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VBS = Pain!

This week is VBS at our church. We're doing the Avalanche Ranch theme. Doreen's helping the Prairie Dog Preschoolers, and I'm helping with the games.

Thing is, the guy leading the games is not following the games provided, he's doing something completely else.

Well, Sunday, the start of VBS we were playing a game where we had to run back and forth chasing kids, being chased - all with a 'spiritual' theme mind you.

Each group came through our section every twenty minutes, and we have 4 groups. So every twenty minutes I'd get a five minute break, but other than that, I was running, running, running.

Yesterday I was kinda sore. Today, I am SORE!!!!

Oh how I hurt right now.

So VBS equals PAIN! :)

PS The kids seem to be enjoying it and are learning from it, and that's what matters.

PSS Today I have a trip for work, so I get a break from VBS - a welcome break, so I can get over being sore! :)

Swimming Class or Fishies

Today began the first of 10 days of swimming classes for Joelle & Natalie. They had a ball. They've been swimming enough to have Natalie in Level 2 and Joelle in Level 3. I think they're both gonna learn lots and I think they'll learn more than when we were trying to teach them. :(

Well - my little fishies are growing up!

Precious!

Comfy Home Shorts...

Do you have some clothes that you only wear around the house? Lately, I've been noticing that when I get home, from work, or church, or play or where-ever, the first thing I wanna do is change into my 'home' clothes. Basically I've got a couple pair of shorts and just about any t-shirt I've got.

I like the clothes I wear to work or the other stuff, but they're just not my relaxing at thome clothes! :)

By the way I'm wearing those clothes now! Aaahhhhhh!

Be comfortable! :)

Company Picnic

Every year for the company picnic, they rent out Lake Winnepasaukah. It's a fun amusement park. Yesterday was the company picnic and we had a BALL! Here's Doreen & Natalie on the Ferris Wheel.





Natalie's 'driving' one of the antique cars.





Joelle and I bumpin cars!


Joelle & Natalie, my little bees! :)





The expected artsy pic for my bro-in-law. (I actually enjoy takin' 'em so thanks for giving me a hard time about it! :)


Gotta nap now - wore out! :)

Drought & Answered Prayer

We've not been getting much, I could almost say 'any' rain here in E TN. In fact we're somewhere between 13 & 15 short of what we typically get.

One day this week, we were going to the pool to swim, talking about rain. Spontaniously, both girls said a quick prayer asking for rain.

The next day, we got a 'sprinkling.' They were pretty excited about that.

Today, we got a downpour and they both, but mostly my oldest were excited. Not excited about the rain, well to quote exactly...

"Mommy, Daddy, Jesus answered our prayers. Look at ALL this rain."

Precious!

Family Reunion In Pics. Part 1

The original 'cause' of this reunion. Uncle Russell was going to celebrate his 90th birthday, so we were going to get together. Then other birthdays, anniversaries and family 'high points' were needing to be celebrated, so it was turned into a family reunion! Still 90, that's pretty good! :)







Cousin Dale took this opportunity with most all of us together to fill in some of the blank holes he has in our family genology.








Here's where we stayed, Lake Murray's 'rustic' cabins. Leaky, muddy, racoon visiting cabins! :) Would have been great with NO rain! :)










Had a great (air conditioned) lodge with a kitchen that was perfect for handling the group of us nearly the entire time. It rained so much, we all stayed in 90% of the time! :) Check out the 'puddles' around it. Those were the low ones! He, he, he!








And of course the best part of a famliy reunion is just visiting! We all did LOTS of that!

Family Reunion In Pics. Part 2

Family is KEY at any family reunion. These are the sons and daughters of Harry & Anna Myers, that make a pretty cool family tree!!!











And here are some Myer Branches...












More branches....











More branches...











Still more branches...











And a final branch that was there to get a pic taken. More branches came and went but not all at the same time, so we couldn't get them all! Bummer - but this is still cool!

Family Reunion In Pics. Part 3

All of us kicked in for kitchen duty. Some prepared the meals....










Others served themselves...













Others ate the meal...













Still others...














...and others helped keep things clean and ready for the next meal! Yummy stuff. Not to bad feeding 40+ mouths 3 meals a day. Great food too! :)

Family Reunion In Pics. Part 4

No family reunion can be complete without home-made ice cream churned in an antique ice cream maker by hand. Yummy









Almost all of us had a 'turn' at it! :)














Licking off the paddles, making sure it's okay before washing and prepping the next flavor.










Chocolate - smooth!













Strawberry with FRESH strawberry chunks! Yummy and not pictured, red rasberry. All to die for! :)

Family Reunion In Pics. Part 5

We had the camp naturalist come take us for a 'short' hike (to stay dry) to show us some of the unique features around Lake Murray.










Aunt Jane told us about her trip to Greece and how it was interesting to be in maybe some of the same places the Apostle Paul visited.











Cousin Doug told a story about an Indian Chief searching for his son, "Watch for Falling Rock." :)



















The kids sang about their little lights and how to let them shine!













And because of the rain we watched a movie or two!

Family Reunion In Pics. Part 6

What else do you do at a family reunion - but visit...













...and visit!




















Oh yeah - a game of dominoes is always FUN! :)










Trying to go for a walk, when it wasn't raining, was something each of us tried at somepoint. Of course we had to walk around a 'river running through it!'








Some didn't make it back before the next wave of rain hit and got absolutely soaked and dried off in front of stoves cooking baked potatoes! :)