The Cave

A shot of the cave. Mammoth Cave really is amazing, it is huge and beautiful in its own dark and creepy way.

The bus ride to the cave was just as good as the tour for the kids...



Cave cricket

Mammoth Cave Trip

Thanks to my friend Shael, we got to spend a lovely week in good ole' Kentucky. We were right next to Mammoth Cave National Park in a condo that her mother-in-law let us use for a week. We covered the area, going to the park, the caves, horseback riding and even Dinosaur World (could there be a more perfect place for a three year old boy?). The region felt old, as if its heyday was the 1920's , there were a few attractions here and there but things like the huge gorilla outside of one motel made us think this was a swinging place to be in the time of prohibition. But the national park and surrounding country were very nice and it was SO good to be out in the middle of nowhere, our after dinner activity was baseball by the pond in the park. The best part, of course, was having each other to ourselves for a week. We really got into a groove, Val and Drew were buddies, going horseback riding and to the game room, Nora and I got a few nice walks in, Drew and Nora loved playing on the beds and back deck together(they were fascinated by the caterpillars which were everywhere), and Val and I got some quality time hanging on the front deck under the stars. Can't beat the family vacation!

Drew at the horse barn. Giddy up Shadow!

This was the mailbox of our neighbors, they run a motorcycle accessory shop called Chrome Crazy.



Drew and Nora playing with a caterpillar.



I love this picture, Drew is in mid story about the croccidiles that live in the pond that we were walking around (they were mean to the alligators)


We are sitting on the foot of the huge dinosaur you can see from I-65.

Emily's pics

Here comes the party!

mmmm fingers

Toby and Drew were reading all by themselves, so sweet!

Grandma and Grandpa


Toby's people

Drew, Toby and Nora in one spot, amazing!

My sister-in-law, Emily, is a wonderful photographer. We have so many great pics of the kids from her and I finally figured out how to get them posted. Yeah!

Toby!

<

Our best cousin Toby was here last week and it was so nice to have him here for so long. He also brought along his mama Emily and we loved having her here too. We didn't get out to do too much because of course Drew and Nora got the "we are so excited to see Toby cold" so we stayed away for a few days. Then of course there was a funeral to attend too. Emily stayed busy making lots of food for the family. We are still enjoying the fruits (or enchiladas) of her labor.


We did spend a lovely day at the childrens museum. It is so fun to watch Toby and Drew and Nora together. We look forward to the new baby cousin due to arrive early September.

Toby and Drew were very attentive three year olds for a glass blowing presentation. They learned all the ins and outs of making a BEAUTIFUL glass drum.

Nora in her Toddler and Me class

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2539357930471530577

RIP

My Grandmother passed away on the 10th of April. Below is something I wrote that was read at her funeral.


I believe I can speak for all five grandchildren when I say that Grandma Dresslar was a special grandmother. She was an important part of our lives and her love for us was evident every moment that we spent with her.

As children, we would often spend the night at Grandma and Grandpa Dresslar’s house. We affectionately referred to Grandma as “Gramcraker” and our “Frisky Grandma”. A typical day at their house would start out with an endless stack of French toast. We would then take a walk to the woods to go wading in the creek or maybe to the duck pond to throw bread to the birds. We would then perhaps watch grandma sew “designer” doll clothes or help her make loaves of banana bread. One for each of us. Grandma and Grandpa would almost always take us out to dinner and we always could order dessert! The day would come to end with a warm and ticklish bubble bath followed by stories of Donald Duck and Huey, Dewy and Louie.

These wonderful, child centered days punctuated Grandma’s love for life, fun and her grandchildren. She carried that same love for children until her last days. Grandma’s eyes would light up when my baby girl Nora and I would visit.

I learned so much from Grandma Dresslar. She is a great part of who I am today. She filled me with a love of nature, a playful spirit and a kind heart. We are so lucky to have grown up with Grandma and Grandpa. As I watch my parents and my own children, I see their love live on.

This one's for Jennifer

Drew and Nora love their Aunt Emmy


These are just a few random pics, its been a while, so here are some updated kid photos. Nora wants to do EVERYTHING herself these days, while Drew has really settled into being three. He told me today to watch Nora because he was leaving the room...it is so fun to watch them together. They enjoy each other so much and have their own thing going on...such as hiding from me and giggling when I find them.

Having technical trouble, all my pics come up as text in the box, blogger help would be much appreciated.