Playing catch up!

Wow!  I'm so far behind, I don't know where to begin!  Let's see...

August:
We went to Heather's for a get together complete with swimming and birthday cake for Britney :)

We watched the Crawfords in their awesome performance of Alice in Wonderland!

We spent a day with our friends at Rhodes Ferry Park.

Britney and I hiked Walls of Jericho with the Crawfords.  We also stopped to watch the bats at Sauta Cave on the way home.

We found out about a movie that was being filmed and were in need of extras.  Britney, Cody and I spent a VERY LONG day in Birmingham.  We got home at 2 am, but it was an awesome experience!  We were in key scenes with James Denton,   AJ Michalka,  Chris Ellis and Jamie Grace. Jamie Grace even did a little performance for us :)  Grace Unplugged is due to be released summer 2013!

September:
We went to Oka Kapassa with a lot of our friends!  We all really enjoyed this and plan on returning!

We spent a day visiting Lake Guntersville State Park and High Falls Park.  I can't say enough bad things about the trail at Lake Guntersville...worst trail we've ever hiked and we've hiked A LOT.  I also can't say enough good things about High Falls.  I think I could go there every single day.

We spent a couple days at Tishomingo State Park to celebrate my 31st birthday!  We had the best time and will definitely be back.

We went to Steele Orchard on a field trip with one of the homeschool groups.  We enjoyed it a learned a few new things, but overall felt it was geared more toward younger kids.

October:
Britney was in her 13th...or 14th (I need to count that up) play, Give My Regards to Broadway.  She did an amazing job as Connie! 

Bobby and I walked part of the Flint Creek Trail.  LOVE fall :)

I hiked Rainbow Mountain with a friend!  I can't wait to go back with my family!

There was a film being shot here in town.  We know several people who are in it, and they needed extras for a couple scenes.  Brit and I spent several hours doing that one day.  Cody had NO interest in going.  I'm actually glad he didn't.  It was quite cold and he would have been miserable.   The movie is called Little Josephine and it will be shown at local film festivals.

Bobby and I celebrated our 13th anniversary on the 26th!  We spent the whole day together.  We grabbed some delicious food from Earth Fare for a picnic and hiked Wade Mountain.  Thanks for the recommendation, Esther!  We loved it!

Every single year, we want to go the Alabama Renaissance Faire and every single year something has prevented us from going.  We were determined to make it this year, but it was SO cold!  Bobby and Cody stayed home.  I hate that they missed it and really hope it's nice weather next year.  Several friends came and we really did have an awesome time.  Britney has been wanting a cloak for years.  She had been saving up and FINALLY bought herself one.  I wish I had a picture of her face when she showed it to me.  She was SO happy!

Esther scheduled a tour at the Golden Flake factory in Birmingham.  Most of our friends have been there several times, but we've never made it before.  Oh my goodness!  We had a blast!  It's a FREE tour and we learned a lot about the process.  Plus the guide gives you hot, off the conveyer belt goodies! Not to mention lots of bags to take home!

Britney had an upcoming performance of Little Women.  She is playing Sally Gardiner and I'm really looking forward to this play!

Of course, there was a pumpkin carving day and trick or treating with friends!

November:
November 1st marked the beginning of NaNoWriMo!  Britney has participated and has exceeded her goals for the last two years.  This year is the final book in her trilogy and at November 6th, she has written over 17,000 words!  Her goal is 100,000 words!  Good luck, kiddo!


Okay, I know this isn't EVERYTHING, but it's a start.  I was overwhelmed and at least now, I can see it lined up and I can start going through and getting some pictures up!

Knoxville

This is my 500th post.  I feel like that's important and should be celebrated so...YAY!  GO ME!

I went to Knoxville this weekend to visit with Beth and Richard.  I haven't seen them since their wedding...a year ago!

It was odd to go by myself.  I'm never really alone for four hours straight, especially not in The Beast.  If we're driving that far, we're going camping.

The drive was uneventful, except for the traffic in Chattanooga.  Ya gotta love traffic in a big city on Friday afternoons...

I arrived at their house just minutes after Beth got home from work.  We hung out for a bit and then Richard got home.  It was decided we would go out to eat for dinner at Lakeside Tavern.  I had the chicken pasta with broccoli, mushrooms, spinach and and sun dried tomatoes.  It was quite good!

That night, Beth took me out on their Can-Am.  HOLY COW!  That may be the best invention EVER!  Then Beth and I chatted until the middle of the night and eventually headed off to bed.  I slept in a king size bed by myself.  No one snoring, kicking, sleeping on my head...I may be ruined.

The next morning, Richard made breakfast and then we headed out to Norris Lake to hang out with some of their friends.

They had rented this huge, older house boat for the weekend, plus they own a pontoon boat and two jet skis.  Tons of people were coming and going.  Good times.

Al took us out on their pontoon with Beth following us in one of the jet skis so we could ride.

Jet skis are my second favorite invention.  I had SO much fun!  I was laughing like a little kid!  The last and only other time I was on a jet ski, I was 17.

The Very Artistic Boat

It's a two story houseboat.  Is it called two story?  Double Decker?  Whatever.  Anyway, people were jumping off the very top and I decided I would be brave and give it a try.  I had to go over the railing to jump.  It was scary, but I have to admit I'm pretty proud of myself for doing it considering my aversion to heights...and lake/river water.  I needed a beer afterward.

We floated around for a while before heading back to their house, ate a delicious snack of hummus, cucumbers, pita bread cheese and olives.  Yum.  Then Beth and I fell asleep.  Being out in the sun all day is hard work.  :)  That night we went out for a quick bite to eat, came back and watched a little TV and then hit the hay.

We got up Sunday and took Beth's Great Dane, Gunner, to the park before I had to head home.

And then my weekend in Knoxville was over.  It went by too quickly.  I had an awesome time and really appreciate them having me.  The drive back was great.  Traffic in Chattanooga wasn't a problem at all.  I rocked out to Queen's Greatest Hits, called and talked to Dad and Rosie and before I knew it, I was in Hollywood.  I decided to stop and see Grandma and Grandpa. 

And Uncle James and Aunt Callie buried right next to them.

And then I was in Decatur, in time to head straight to Epic for an awesome service.  I was very happy to see my kiddos.  One of them was more happy to see me than the other, but I'm not going to say which was which :)