Camping - June 25-28, 2009

We took the kids and the dogs camping in Brevard, NC at the Davidson River for 4 days. Thank God my In-Laws and Mike's BIL and sister were there to help! We are still exhausted.


Noah is 17 months now and saying a bunch of words, chicken, airplane, Nikki, Elsie, All done, Daddy, shakes his head yes and no (alot), but still won't say mommy! Stinker. He is busy, busy, busy! He loves dirt, mud, water, outside, climbing, running, cleaning - vacuum, mopping, wiping things off, Daddy, and the dogs. I think Emily is even above me on the totum pole! Noah latched on to Mike's brother in-law, Shannon, a bunch while we were camping so Mike got a little bit of a break. We are working on Noah's beginning trantrums and his whining.


Emily is growing up so fast. She reasons a bunch of stuff out now (annoying, but impressive to me in her development), can write her name and all other letters. She writes "sentences" as well like BBRRRIILY = Happy Birthday Mommy, I love you! We are working on Emily listening, following directions, and doing what she is told - the first time! She is one determined kid!

Here are some pics from the trip - well, one day of it. We didn't take very many pictures.


This was Friday - we took a hike up to the top of Devil's Courhouse.






My Beautiful family



Emily and Daddy fishing - they didn't catch anything though.



Here's a pretty scary one of me - after the hike.



We are doing well, just busy like everyone else. Mike and the kids are working hard in the garden and we now have chickens - 6 of them. I know, who knew I was marrying farmer Ted! The kids love to check the chickens, feed them, and get the eggs (wonderful, BTW) after school. Emily even asked me one day when I brought them home because Mike was stuck at work, "mom, do you know how to feed the chickens?" Actually, yes!

We plan to put the kids in swimming lessons this summer, but we are still waiting on the pool to get the schedule out so we can sign up. I guess things are really slower here in the south than I thought. Yes, I'm very annoyed about it! Emily wants to start soccer and T-Ball so hopefully, she will be able to do soccer in the fall. I'm not sure what the age limit is for our community center that hosts it. T-ball is five and start in May so she will be good for next spring. We have gone to a couple of minor league baseball games, which the kids love, and we will probably go to a few more. No other big plans except the beach in Sept.

We hope this finds you well and pray that God continues to watch over all of our friends and family.

God Bless -
Gretchen, Mike, Emily, Noah, Nikki, and Elsie