toy run & wnc nature center

We had an amazing Saturday...that is after the car trouble
the blue bus had the same battery in it since we got it 6 years ago
The girls and I stopped by to see Jonathan at one of his stores before we went running around. Thanks to Ho, Jonathan, & AAA we got it fixed and on our way.
We headed out to the 30th anniversary smokey mountain toy run at Lummus harely shop. Now you need to know that it is 33 degrees & sleeting but these bikers still rode the cold 10 miles from downtown Asheville to the shop. The girls & I helped collect toys. They just keep coming. It is amazing how everyone just jumps in to help the kids that need a Christmas this year and for all you our there that believe bikers are nothing but trouble never meet a true biker (right Uncle Snake) yes the leather and tattoos might get you but their hearts are truly huge. I know this after a cold older man handed me a ice covered teddy bear yesterday and said he enjoyed the ride. After unloading toys and more toys Tori & Sam joined the Harley band and song Jingle Bells. Then Sam got to pick the winning ticket for the 50/50 drawing and made someone a very happy person. After that is was off to the nature center where the twins were to be elves and Sam & I were going to sell snacks. The park was dead because it was in the 30s and sleeting & raining. But we stayed to help out and to see Santa. The lights were beautiful all thru the trails. There was a smore fire going and a fire in the cabin where Santa was. The girls were face painting and showing the snakes.(they didn't get that like from me) Afterwards we made some candles and headed home. Christmas is about spending time with the one you love and we did that as our teeth chattered. But it is about making others happy. We are trying to spread our Christmas cheer..."by singing loud for all to hear"...form the Elf movie.

freebie Saturday

With times being the way they are we are very blessed to have a roof over our head and a great job but we still like to save some money. We started the day out getting .49 cent hot cocos then went to Ingles for the .33 cent5 donuts. On the way to the Christmas parade I stopped by to get our photos from Walagreens they were 30 prints for $3.oo. We sat and enjoyed the sunshine having breakfast waiting for the parade. Afterwards we went across the street and they had an ice skating ring set up and the girls got to skate for free. Then we went to Sams they were having their holiday sampling going on. We tried all the samples some of them we tried twice. That was the best free lunch we had in a long time. Then is was home. It was a great day and we only spent $10.00. I love getting a deal.

greenhouses

The girls and I went to the open house at the local greenhouses. The learned how they started the seedlings all the way to the end process when then ship them out to the stores. There were sections & sections full of poistettas. It was amazing. We didn't know there were so many types. I liked the ones that looked like bleach was poured on them but the glittery ones were neat also. There was bluegrass playing and we had a great time together. One of the greenhouses gave us a free mum to everyone. This is something they have done for the past 18 yrs and we will go back next year.

leaves

there are more than leaves falling lately the girls raked up the leaves and got the ladder out to enjoy it to be a kid again

corn maze

The girls and I spent the afternoon at Elida Home's corn maze. We volunteered for a few hours giving out maps and talking about the FSI (farm scence investigation) game. It is like the old clue game trying to figure out who has Farmer Joe. See there was an accident and one of the animals has Farmer Joe..you have to figure out what weapon, what location, & who did it. There is 12 acres of corn mazes a 1 mile, a 2.7 mile, or you can do both to solve the crime. The place is really neat. There is a corn cannon, a cow train, a straw maze, a corn box (like a sand box but all corn kernels) pedal cars, & at night there is a haunted maze. After we worked Jonathan, his sister Tiffany her boyfriend Frankie and his son Chansen all came out to have fun with us. We all went in the haunted maze...all of us even Tori. This was a 1st. She has always been to scared but she conquered her fear and had a ball.

wagon train

Some people say why do we go out and freeze our butts off, give up the electronic pleasures of life, no heat, & outside bathrooms 1 weekend a year? Well its for the memories we are making, the ghost stories we hear, the candy we win on the card games we play, the great food & family time we have, and its a family tradition. We have done it for 5 years but the Johnston/Reids have always done it. This year we spent the night at the fireman's camp instead of the usual camp it was different but loved being next to the French Broad River. It was cold but only got down to 40 degrees. No Snow this year...Yeah! I did burn the hashbrowns again but my omelet in a bag was a hit...Tori said they were good! Seem like we had about 50 wagons this year. Im glad the girls enjoy it and love the peace & quiet at night...beside the occasional laughter down from another wagon.

fair update

Ok everyone was saying I never updated my blog about the fair. Sorry we went from one thing to the next. After 2 weekends & a long week we ended up with 25 ribbons...1st,2nd,3rd,5th,7th,9th,10th, & a best in show. Yes I ate a lot of corndogs & we watched the pig races a few times. We got to ride a few rides and walk all over. I am on 1st name bases with Smokey Bear as many times we went to see him. We all had a great time. Some of us more than others. The girls did a great job at the goats, cows, cooking contest, & all the crafts. Still hearing the moooing in my sleep.

Scarecrow contest

The girls entered the Lake Julian scarecrow competition today. We did one to represent walking for a cure. There is a Mommy cancer survivor pulling a wagon with a little kid in it. I have to say it is really cute. Jonathan helped us build the skeleton of the woman out of PVC Pipe. The weather is beautiful here. It is so hard to believe it is October already.

where has the time gone

Ok, I haven't written in the pass 2 month & Im sorry for that. The time has buzzed by. School got out June 14th & we jumped right into ball camp & all stars. Tori & Jenna started working at the nature center every Wednesday afternoon and Jenna worked every Sunday afternoon at Carl Sandburg's goat barn. We celebrated the Bear's birthday w/ a visit from Joe & Micki. We had a great 4th of July at Sandy's house w/ fireworks up close....thanks Frankie. Then it was time to set up VBS, the place looked like a spaceship...thanks to Jonathan, the girls, & Tiffany for all their hard work & fun of blowing up science everyday. We made the church normal again and it was time for Relay for Life. The Funny Farm came out and had a great time. Jonathan & Frankie did the Mis-ter Miss contest, the girls & the Bear made all of the luminarie bags, Tiffany & Sam put them up and everyone helped us lighted them...what a great team effort. Then Jonathan & I got a week off and enjoyed it in Florida. Had a great time relaxing and spnding time with my family. Thanks Andy s Ike for taking us fishing. Now back to the real world I started a new job, the grass needed to be mowed and we had to go school shopping. We did the showmans clinic last weekend so the fair most be coming up. Hope I caught everyone up here at the funny farm. What a whirl wind summer.

Tye's birthday

Two years ago this community had a terrible blow. Trooper Shawn Blaton was killed in the line of duty. A few weeks before his 1st child was born premature but he was able to hold his baby son before he was killed. Tye was small and had lots of problems but he gave us all hope. Unfortunately Tye passed 5 months later. His family took the lost and turned it into something good to help other premature babies at Mission. This past Sunday they hosted a Lula to honor Tye. They were asking for donations for the NIC unit at Mission. The afternoon was great. The pool was cool, the bounce houses were fun, the food was amazing, and the people I don't know what to say. The families of Shawn and Tye keep going on and have fun doing it. They are special people in my heart. They show by example how to live and love. The girls and I went and really enjoyed the afternoon at Maggie Valley. It makes you want to go and hug the ones you love.

Jonathan's birthday

We all got together for Jonathan's birthday last week. I spent the morning with him and when I went to work he worked on the strawberries. That evening we meet at the Bear's to open presents. Yes my country boy got herbs & trees for his birthday but he got some other things too. Afterwards the girls & I took him to Cheddars for supper. I think he had a good time.

Jenna singing

Jenna is part of the VSMS chorus. They received 2's at district this year and got to go to Carowinds for the day this past Saturday. Here are a few pictures of her and her group singing last week.

Memorial Day

We had a great Memorial Day weekend. We went to the sport festival, we picked 7 gallons of strawberries, hung out at Biltmore Park (Opie Taylor's & ice cream), we went to the flower festival, Carl Sandburg's, saw Shrek, the girls went to school, and we went bowling. Not bad for only 3 days.

softball

We are finishing up another season of softball. Jonathan helped coach and Sam caught the whole season. She has no fear of the ball and jumps out of that box at every pitch. She is amazing but I get nervous when that ball is coming at her but she stops it and waits for her next. She has caught pop fowls and got a few out at home. She is my little biscuit. This year I wasn't on the stands like the past few years I was a bat girl and got to coach a base when Jonathan was working. Little league is stressful and we lived off muscle milk and lunch ables. But the Rockhounds did a great job. We still have play offs coming up now. So play ball!

what's up

Ok, I haven't been good about keeping everyone up to date lately. Spring sprung and we have been non stop. So sorry! Let's see my home away from home has been the ball field. Sam is catching again this year and Jonathan is help coaching. Jenna, Jonathan, & I took the hunter safety coarse and we all passed. Sam had a lighthouse project due. Jenna's science team won 2nd place. The twins had spirit week. We had an Easter Egg hunt at the church and an Easter play. We really didn't get a full spring break because of the snow days but we did get the chance to take the girls to Pigeon Forge to ride the go carts and wonder around. We took the Girl Scouts to Reidhill to see all the new babies. Action Fest came to town and Sam got to meet the guy that fly in the jet pack and all the girls drooled over the stunt guys. Jonathan and I took the boater safety coarse and I beat him by 2 points on the test..98! We gave an ice cream party to the winning class at Valley for the class that sold the most cancer sun's and the twins raised $89.00 for the American Caner Society. Asheville got a visit from the President of the United States..traffic was backed up everywhere but the cool part was the cargo plane C30 picking the cars up. I went on the twins field trip to the zoo, the IMAX movie, and then to fun stop to play ( it made me love my girls...some of those kids). We celebrated Mother's Day Greek style. And this past weekend we got to baby sit the puppy Pearl. It's hard to believe that May is coming to an end. Maybe summer will slow us done...I dawt it!