The Funny Farm

2011-06-12T14:39:00.001-04:00

We ran away yesterday after Sam's game. We got a cabin on the lake. It was so nice to get away for a day. We swam, fished, played games, and enjoyed a few laps around in the paddle boat.

2011-06-11T07:49:00.001-04:00

Up and ready to start our summer vacation. Sam & I are up now to get the twins up.

2011-06-11T07:10:00.002-04:00

Breath in Breath out Move on !

2011-06-10T22:38:00.001-04:00

Ok this past month has been crazy. With school, games, work, & the farm. But as summer starts tomorrow I will try better. All 3 girls are starting to blog their summer also. Sam graduated grade school and the twins middle school today. We did 1 relay and have 1 more to do. The animals & garden are growing. Jenna played co ed soccer. Sam caught again this year at fast pitch ball. Just a few of things we have done. Hope you can keep with all of us! Let the summer began!

2011-06-10T22:27:00.001-04:00

Testing to see if I can do this from my phone.

2 week growth

2011-04-17T08:08:00.002-04:00

Yes, we are still growing. This past week we added 6 more chicks and 3 ducks to the flock. The seedlings are growing so much. We can't wait to put them in the ground. We did have a first this week. Jenna has wanted to learn to mow forever but she never weight enough. Well this week she got to drive the mower. She had the biggest grin on her face. I hope that wasn't the highlight of her spring break. The girls spent their week off with Granny Bear and Ho. They messed around and went to Tennessee and South Carolina. I am so blessed to have my girls grow up around their grandparents like I did. I sure miss them days sitting in the pool swimming for Popsicles. I guess you can say you grow and grow but only if your foundation (your family) is rich, in love!

Muddy Day

2011-04-17T07:48:00.002-04:00

What do you do after it rains for a few day a few inches? Well what else go play in the mud. We jumped in to the jeep and headed to Brown Mountain. We knew it was going to be fun after the seeing the bridge to get in was over flowing with water. We did the mud hole a few times for the girls and went up the trail. Stopped at the top to have a picnic lunch and then went back down. Afterwards we went over to the Wise Men trail to see Table Rock and then ended at Lineville Falls. We walked to see the falls. It is amazing to see the amount of water flowing after all the rain. It was great to just get away for a little up in the woods. To have the chance to spent some needed time with the family and see God's work in the beautiful blue sky. We crossed the river, went thru the woods, and climbed some rocks to fave this day of fun!

growing

2011-04-09T08:08:00.007-04:00

the farm has been growing this week

the seedlings are sprouting and so are the babies

the chicks gained 1/4 oz of weight in 2 days

Cadbury is our official weight measure !

we got a few baby chicks for the girls....they each got 2 so now we have 6 little fuzzy chicks

the seedling are sporting

Jenna has corn growing

Sam has a pumpkin

so check back to see what we got growing next week

spring

2011-04-04T23:17:00.002-04:00

ok after 2 trips to get seeds and 18 packets later we are ready for spring I might have gone a little over board 6 different pumpkins, a hand full of gourds, and some corn. The girls will not let me near another feed store! Want you to meet our newest addition..his name is Steve Cadbury Joe, or the Bear calls him Barry, and Jonathan and Sam call him Bunny. Check back to see how the garden is going and our own little Peter Rabbit.

Jenna goes for the gold

2011-03-26T10:42:00.003-04:00

I will be the first to admit it I don't know a lot about science Olympiad. I done know that Jenna has been working before, after, during school, and ever evening on building, planning, and making items for 4 different competitions at district science Olympiad. She and her partner worked all day and did their best and they came home with the gold medal for junk yard challenge. This is where they have a list of items they put in a box and bring to the completion. Once they get there they have 20 minutes to build whatever the judge tells them, then they have 2 minutes to test the object they built and then they get judge. It was so cool to see them start to finish and then walk to the stage and get the award. They will be going to Raleigh next month for state now. Check back to see how they do.

graduation

2011-03-26T10:27:00.003-04:00

Jonathan and I went down to Raleigh to see his best friend graduate for highway patrol school. Michael would go down on Sunday evening and not come home until Friday night for 30 long weeks. But I feel safer that he is out there protecting us nerves yes but very proud. The ceremony was unbelievable...it started out with a bag pipe playing as they marched in, we heard speeches my favorite was the way they cook a special cake, they took the oath, and walked across the stage. Very emotional. 900 people applied, 60 made the class, and 38 graduated. To protect and serve!

In the circle

2011-03-26T09:21:00.005-04:00

Jonathan and I were trying to come up with something to do on his weekend off that we have never done. So, after some research and thinking we came up with the idea to go to Nashville. I was told I had been but I was little and I don't remember it. So we booked a hotel suite for downtown and planned the weekend. What could we stuff in only a weekend? Now I picked the weekend that the NCAA basketball play offs and it was raining so it was a little busy, rainy, and a sea of orange was everywhere. We started our Saturday off with the the redneck bus tour. It was a great tour, learned about the city, answered all the trivia questions right, and stopped and had a drink at the Whiskey Bond Bar. After that we went to tour backstage of the Grand Ol Opray. That was a once in a lifetime opportunity. We got to come in the back door like the stars, see all the dressing rooms, and then walk on stage. As I stood in the circle in the middle I got cold chills. The circle of wood is from the original Ryman. To stand where Hank Sr, Elvis, Johnny Cash, and countless others was amazing. Sam didn't want to leave the circle. We can now say we have sang on the stage of the Grand Ol Opray, it was happy birthday with a group but we did it. After the tour we walked over to hang out and eat dinner in the Operyland Hotel. The plants, waterfalls, the dancing fountain, and the little shops were neat. It is so hard to believe that they rebuilt it and Grand Ol Opray after the flood ruined it. You would never know it now. Then it was back to the Grand Ol Opry to see the show. We saw Blake Shelton, Band Perry, Brad Paisley, but what made the night was Little Jimmy Dickson. To be part of the longest running radio show that was way to cool. After our long day we went back to relax and plan our last day. Sunday we started out at the Country Music Hall of fame. Rows and rows of golden records on the wall, to see clothes the most famous people have worn, and see how music has changed thru the years. Then it was down stairs to see the faces of the hall of fame. In the middle of the circle room you can stand and be surrounded by the best of best. " when the circle be unbroken by and by Lord by and by" Then we headed to the science museum to play. There was 3 floors of fun. We flew rocket bottles, climbed the tree house to see the city, did a computer image to see what Jonathan will look like when he is 70, saw how much we weighted on Mars, and flew weight less like the astronauts. Then we had to head home. We will be back to country city there is so much more we want to do.

just an usually Saturday

2011-02-26T08:44:00.002-05:00

I don't think sleeping in is in our vocabulary. Last weekend we got up running. We had to be at the nature center to drop off the girl's festival of knowledge projects by 9am. Then we ran over to the big mall to drop off our donation for the Mission kids program. Got to see a few people we knew and grab breakfast @ Chick Fila. Then it was off to choose a VBS for this summer. After a little looking around and the girls wanting the panda one we choose the Pandamonia. I get to dress Tori up as a panda bear so it's got to be fun. Then we dropped Sam off at a friends house so they could go skating. The twins and I hit LuLu's and Wee Trade. Then headed back to the nature center to see how the girls did. They all won ribbons for their projects on the black bear, rainbow trout, and the porcupine. As the day was coming to an end...ok it was only 5 we meet Jonathan for dinner and headed home to crash.
What a whirl wind day!

Sammy's birthday

2011-02-26T08:12:00.002-05:00

It is hard to believe my baby turned 11 yrs old last week. Where has the time gone? It just seems like yesterday she was falling off playground equipment and learning to walk. We wanted to make her birthday something special and with all the snow we have been having we thought it would be cool (in more ways than 1) to go snow tubing. We looked up and planned for weeks for this special day. As the week of her birthday was here we watched the weather...what do you mean it is going to be in the 60s. I would usually love that kind of weather but not for planning a snow trip. Her birthday we had almost beat the temperature record..we only missed it by 1 degree...we hit the 70s that day. I didn't have a back up plan what were we going to do??? I keep calling the tubing place they keep saying no worries we will be open. How are you going to open the tubing lanes if we don't have any snow? As we pulled in Friday night in our short sleeve shirts we were glad to see they were open. Moonshine had a 12 foot base and kids were flying by. We got our tubes & headed up the mountain...you could walk or take the pully or should I say fall up the hill. It was a blast and I think Jonathan & Sam went down 30 times and we closed the park down. Sam did have one issue, she hit a chunk of ice and bumped out of her tube but she was ok. She bounced right up and went right back up. We did single runs, double runs, and a few trains. It was great and the Bear & Ho had a blast watching them fly down the hill. The moonshine people were great and we will most diffidently go back. The weather thru me for a little worry but everyone had a blast. What else to you plan the kid that isn't afraid of anything other than flying down a mountain wide open? Happy Birthday Shorty!

WNC Parent magazine article

2011-02-04T21:35:00.004-05:00

The girls got to be in an article this month in the WNC Parent magazine about the fair. It was neat to have someone come out and talk to the girls about their animals and all the do and what they love about the fair. If you get the chance check out the pictures and the article. The newspaper says they will be coming out to see what the girls are doing to prep for the fairin the next few months. It is hard to believe there is only 8 months until the fair is here. Better start getting ready now. I am craving a corn dog already.

Here is the link below if you get the chance and want to read the article.

http://issuu.com/actwebmaster/docs/wncparentfeb2011/13?zoomed=true&zoomPercent=100&zoomX=0.08484162895927594&zoomY=0.15260058881256133¬eText=¬eX=¬eY=&viewMode=magazine

pull

2011-01-30T14:42:00.004-05:00

Before I start this I would like to say my Mother, the Bear, is not for gun use. But she understands that some people believe in the right to bear arms but she probable didn't breath yesterday afternoon. See, a year ago Jenna wanted to learn how to shoot. So Jonathan taught her on a BB gun and made her go thru hunter safety course. Which she did and became a pretty good shoot. Yesterday Jonathan took us skeet shooting. After 290 rounds of shoot, a few walks up the hill to retrieve the non broken clay pigeons, and bruised arm I have to say we had a blast. Jonathan & I would load it up and Sam got to pull the cord. I would have to say Jenna & Jonathan are a lot better shot than I am. We had the 410, 20, & the 12 out there shooting away. It was amazing weather for it and we didn't want to stop but we ran out shells. As Josh Thompson's song - Way Out Here -"Our houses are protected by the good Lord and a gun. And you might meet 'em both if you show up here not welcome son. Our necks are burnt, our roads are dirt and our trucks ain't clean.
The dogs run lose, we smoke, we chew and fry everything." The next generation is learning gun safety and I think it is great. I guess it's like that shirt we saw if guns kill people then pencils misspell words and forks make you fat!

the terrible phone call

2011-01-26T20:45:00.004-05:00

The weatherman said this winter was going to be milder. Don't really know where he was talking about but he wasn't talking about here. In the last month we have had 5 snow storms yes 5. But who is counting us parents are. I am very blessed because I have a Mama Bear to take the girls to when they have a snow day. She and Ho even take them to school on their 2 and 3 hour delays. She is there when the school calls to say they are releasing the school 2 hours early. These calls we have come to know very well. They call as early as 5:30 am. Nothing is like being sound a sleep and the the phone rings. I was raised that you don't call anyone before 9 or after 9 and if you do you better be dying. But the school system thinks different. The poor lady in the recording saying, in her cheerful voice, good morning parents and facility today is another tuff day outside. Sometimes you just want to strangle her but she is just the messager. I know it is a tuff call to have to make for our large county to have school or not. The what ifs and what the weather may do is crazy. You do know if you don't like the weather here in the mountains just wait a few minutes it will change. I think the best call was a few Fridays ago they went 2 hours delay and once they got to school the weather was getting worst so the had an early release, so the kids went to school from 10 to 1...what a school day but they got they buses out and feed everyone lunch so it counted. I know they are doing it for the safety of our kids but our kids are not safe always at home...see they are driving us crazy. We have already extended our school year to June 10th and they are starting up Saturday school this weekend and are threatening to take holidays away. Hello its only the end of January we still have a few more months of winter.
So the next time you hear the phone ring don't think its a long lost friend it is just the school calling with the next up date on the weather.

2011-01-15T19:23:00.002-05:00

holiday season

2011-01-02T17:27:00.002-05:00

As the holiday season comes to an end it felt like a big whirl wind. Between the snow, family coming to visit, our 2 trips, us visiting family, Christmas caroling, and of coarse a birthday. I know Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birthday but I was talking about the twins...sorry. It all started with Sam, Micheal, & Jonathan running the 5k for girls on the run. Micheal & Sam ran it in 23.32, Jonathan ran (one lap) but at least he was there to support them. Then Jonathan & I went to my company Christmas party. It was great, we won a gift card for Olive Garden, & stayed the night at the Crown Plaza. We woke up the next morning to 3 inches of snow. That didn't keep us in, we went to get the girls and rode the back trails in the snow. The girls had a few snow days off after that. At the end of that week we packed our bags and headed to Gaitlburg. It was part of their Christmas present we enjoyed the indoor pool, the girls ice skating at Ober, we walked around the shops, played indoor putt putt at Cooters, ate dinner at Bubba Gumps (the girls only missed 2 trivia questions, it's their favorite movie), went to the top of the needle to enjoy the lights, went to the Riply's aquarium,and the girls got to splash with the sting rays. This is a program where the girls got to get into wet suits and play around the stingrays. We headed home to the farm full of family. Jan & Joey came and Ike & Janie came up later. During their stay we went to see the gingerbread houses @ the Grove Park, the girls got to go to Opie Taylor (toy store) & Bullwinklies (best hot dog place), played games, and of coarse ate. After they left the girls and I went Christmas caroling with the church and then we got the presents ready for the family the church adopted. Once all that was done it was Christmas Eve day. We went to Hickory for the day to spend it with the Clarks. There is nothing like a house full of family and food. After a few games of Apples to
Apples and sitting around the fire we headed to Granny K's house for a few. Then over the mountain we went to Momma Sandie's for the night. Christmas morning we woke up to more snow and a fablous breakfast. Then it was over the river and thru the woods to the Bear's house we went. Ho had made the best appitries and the girls played with their remote control cars (nothing says redneck girls like remote control cars & nail polish..thanks Santa). After we enjoyed the afternoon we went back to Sandi's to eat supper. As it got dark we slide back to our houses to enjoy a good needed night sleep. Sunday afternoon Jonathan came to get us and we went to John's to have a fried turkey dinner. We all had a big sleep over at the Bear's and played Clue. After a few more days of snow and major snow drifts it finally ended, the snow that is. On the twin's birthday we went shopping that morning and then headed to a cottage we rented in Brevard. It was amazing having the sound of the river and the beautiful stain glass. We brought in the new year eating tacos, playing board games, and popping a bottle of bubblie. Jonathan had to work during the day but we hung out & did girlie things. That night we ate of coarse black eye peas, collards, & rice. It has been a very busy last of 3 weeks but you know, I would not change it for the world. Hope you had a great holiday as much as we have. I'll post some pictures of all of this soon. Happy New Year from the Funny Farm.

toy run & wnc nature center

2010-12-05T09:19:00.002-05:00

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

2010-11-27T07:51:00.003-05:00

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

2010-11-27T07:41:00.002-05:00

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

2010-11-27T07:30:00.004-05:00

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

2010-10-17T15:35:00.002-04:00

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

2010-10-17T15:16:00.003-04:00

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

2010-10-02T14:58:00.003-04:00

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

2010-10-02T14:38:00.003-04:00

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

2010-08-14T08:03:00.000-04:00

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

2010-06-07T11:35:00.002-04:00

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

2010-06-07T11:27:00.002-04:00

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

2010-06-07T10:20:00.003-04:00

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

2010-06-02T14:34:00.003-04:00

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

2010-06-02T14:17:00.003-04:00

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

2010-05-24T14:49:00.008-04:00

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!

Heart Walk

2010-03-16T11:28:00.002-04:00

The girls and I went to Greenville SC on Saturday to do the heart walk. As we drove early that morning we watched the clouds roll in. We were prepared to walk in the rain we did it last year. But the sun came out and it was beautiful. We did this 5K to get the awareness out about heart disease. We have lost many special people due to heart attacks or strokes and with our family history this is an important one. We walked in memory of Granny, Memaw, Papa, Uncle Lou and in honor of our Bear and Uncle Ike. Do you know your numbers? Do you know the signs of a stroke or heart attach? More women die of heart disease than anything else. So love your heart and love the ones around. Spread the word..because this is the only heart you are going to get!

amazing

2010-02-23T12:12:00.003-05:00

You know it takes someone real special to knock you off your feet. Someone who loves me and my girls as much. That goes with the flow and jumps in and helps out. He must really love me or he is really crazy! But Jonathan has done it again.
He is teaching Jenna how to shoot a gun so they can do the 4H shooting club. Breath Bear they are going to be safe. He is starting her off with a bb gun and then will move her to a 22 after she completes her hunter safety coarse and he thinks she is ready. She is so excited and hit around the bulls eye a few times.
And like he has a lot of extra time with everything else he does Jonathan is going to help coach Sam's softball team. They have already started practicing for try outs in March. As long as no one breaks anything (teeth) we will be good.
Spring is in the air and the schedules are getting busy again...wait a minute did they ever slow down?

zoo

2010-02-23T11:59:00.003-05:00

For Sam's birthday we went to Columbia to the zoo. The Riverbanks is one of the best zoos I have been to. They had so many animals..penguins, fish, alligators, giraffes, elephants, monkeys, birds, and so much more all in an animal friend environment and up close so you could experience it. They also have a full garden and walking trails. The best part was the weather. It got up to 60 degrees and we were all loving it.
We spent the day at the zoo and ended it with BBQ at Maurice's. What a great day!

Nature Center contest

2010-02-23T11:47:00.003-05:00

All 3 girls did the festival of knowledge this past weekend for the nature center. Tori did a project on lady bugs, Sam did hers on rollie pollies and Jenna did one on lunar moths. All 3 girls did great (thanks to the Bear for her help on all those snow days). Tori and Sam received ribbons and Jenna won the category.

Sam's birthday

2010-02-23T11:35:00.003-05:00

I can't believe my baby turned 10. I am getting to old. Sammy went to school but I took her out to lunch and we all got together for supper for pizza.

more and more snow

2010-02-23T11:23:00.002-05:00

OK whoever is praying for snow you can stop now
the kids have missed a total of 10 days for snow not counting the 2 hr delays and early releases...
where is spring

Tori won a prize for moldy bread

2010-02-22T14:59:00.002-05:00

Seventh Grade students participate in a moldy bread contest!

Ok...we can tell she got her mother's cooking skills.....

All seventh grade students just participated in the “Moldy Bread” Contest. Each student took a piece of bread home and was asked to make it as moldy as possible in three weeks. This was fun from a “gross” aspect, but language arts teachers used this as an opportunity to have students write for various purposes, in various contexts, from a variety of points of view.

Students wrote from the point of view of the bread on day one, and they evaluated their process during week two. They described their bread after two weeks, and they wrote to the judges, in their most persuasive tones on the last day, trying to convince the volunteer bread critics to vote for their gross slices of “Sunbeam King Thin.”

Everyone had a great time comparing strategies and creating personalities for their slices of bread!

RED Day

2010-02-08T11:59:00.002-05:00

You know more women die of a heart attack than anything else? Of coarse when we were talking about this last week Sam's said, " Do you know why? " I said no why?
She then proceed to state..."because men don't have hearts". After I stopped laughing I told her that wasn't right. The 2 men in her life do have hearts they just don't like to show them. I told her we know for sure Grandaddy Ho does, Granny Bear has a picture of it from his last check up. Then she asked me not to tell Jonathan what she said because he would stop giving her those good hugs. This is American Heart Association month folks. Know the signs of a heart attack or stoke. The Bear & I started it off last Friday with wearing red ( no question in my mind who I look like). Show you care wear your red... I do it in memory of Uncle Lewis, Granny, MeMaw, & PaPaw. I also to it to honor my Bear. Hearts can heal we know that after a problem...see I still have a Bear around! The girls and I will finish the month of awareness off by going to Greenville to do the Heart Walk again. We are collecting $$ so if you would like to give click the link below...
http://heartwalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=315991&lis=0&kntae315991=F32BA83DE14A43C9B8FA0102C0FCC00B

more snow

2010-02-01T11:47:00.003-05:00

I know growing up I would get so excited that I might see snow coming up to the mountains. The Bear and I have even be know to put the top down when we saw a few flakes. But after the 2 big snow in a month I am ready for some warmer weather. It took me 2 1/2 hrs to get home from work, it took Ho 4 hrs, and Jonathan 6 hrs. This global warming thing is not working for me. I was heading up Ledbetter Rd Friday night after sitting and snail driving for ever. I went around a stuck truck and was headed up the road for the last big hill and was stopped again. Ho was somewhere in front of me so I called him to see where he was. He asked me what are you doing..I said watching some idiot back down Ledbetter..his response...he was the idiot! The company car wasn't doing very well in this. We push and push some more but the car wouldn't go...so we got it turned around and he headed down. I was told to go home and he would call me to come get him once he found a place to park the car. I did what I was told..didn't like leaving him but I had to go to the bathroom. After about 45 minutes I got the call to come get him. So this little Fla girl got back in the big blue bus and went 4 wheel driving. I got him and we went home. Saturday we dug his company car out but we still can't get it home. We have had some good family times this past weekend eating, playing games, sledding, making snowmen, and having fun. I just hope the ground hog says no more winter tomorrow!

Relay kick off

2010-01-27T12:13:00.005-05:00

Sam releasing her relay ballon..she made a wish but she won't tell what it was.

at the end of the party everyone got a cupcake to celebrate more birthdays and blew out the candle

Fletcher had their kick off party this past Saturday. Our Relay for Life is going to be held July 16th to the 17th, 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM. Our theme this year is We are having Party!! The girls are already started making plans for the funny farm's area and this year we are helping with the luminaria ceremony. We are doing this years in memory of Malinda. So mark your calenders and come up and join us. Because you know the funny farm knows how to party.

Jenna's basketball

2010-01-27T12:02:00.002-05:00

Jenna is short but she can play a good game of basketball, as long as you don't count the fowls... she is tuff...
Very proud of her. When she went to try out the guy, Mr Ross, said ohh no. His daughter had played against her last year and was hoping Jenna wasn't coming back. But it worked out good Jenna made his team.

4H awards

2010-01-27T11:55:00.002-05:00

We went to the 4H district awards Friday and Jenna got her award for the largest sunflower she own back in Sept. It was neat to see all the clubs together and see what other competitions there are out there to do. The girls are starting to rolling on 2010 things.

Family Fun Day!

2010-01-14T12:37:00.004-05:00

On a cold snowy Saturday morning we loaded the bus full of all of us and headed to Atlanta to have a family fun day Roberts style. We went to the GA Aquarium and some place else I can't say...don't want Jonathan to get in trouble. To get all 11 of us together was great. We had the most fun and that aquarium is amazing. We missed the Beluga whales, the lady told Ho that Fed Ex lost them..most have been a big package, but everything else was so cool. I could have spend hours at the penguins and the jellyfish. They had 3 large touch tanks that the girls got to play in...don't know if they will eat shrimp as much anymore after holding one. Then is was off to the other place across the park from the aquarium. Their 4 D movie was the best and to be able to try all the different flavors from around the world. Then we all went to get Mexican and have Christmas. To have all of us together is great! Hope we can do it soon again.

2010

2010-01-14T12:30:00.005-05:00

How else do you bring in the new year then a plate of black eye peas, greens, rice, and a good game of bowling? The girls had a great time I was even winning for a few but not for long. Let the good times roll in 2010!

New Years & Birthday

2010-01-14T12:19:00.002-05:00

To some people New Years is the night you remember the old and bring in the new. Well, 13 years ago I brought in the new with 2 beautiful, little girls. It is so hard to believe that they are now teenagers. Ok, I made it the past 13 yrs I guess I can make it thru the teenage years...I'm already turning gray! The twins got their ears re pieced and we had pizza & cupcakes at the Bears and Ho's. Then we went to see what was going on around downtown and headed to Jonathan's to bring in the new year. Sam fell a sleep and we all played smart ass a few times. I can remember all the twins birthday parties and this yr was nice and quiet hopefully 2010 will be quiet also...wait a minute I forget there is no quiet time on the funny farm.

early birthday

2010-01-14T11:50:00.003-05:00

For the twins early 13th birthday we went to see Jeff Duham. I know some of his stuff is rude but the girls know every line of all 3 videos. They thought you had to be 18 or older to see him. We all laughed all 3 hrs he did his show...Walter is Sam's favorite, The Terrorists is Jenna's, and Peanut is Tori's...she acts like Peanut sometimes. "I'm I pissing you offfffff!" I enjoyed them all but the guitar guy was with him and he is amazing!

NC largest mall

2010-01-14T11:38:00.003-05:00

As we left the warm 84 degrees inside water park we went across the street to Concord MIlls mail. It was so big it had a carousel in the food court area. Our favorite stores were the Disney store and the Lego store. I am not much of a shopper but I really enjoyed this mall. We had a great morning walking around!

Great Wolf Logde

2010-01-14T11:16:00.005-05:00

Jonathan and I wanted to do something special for the girls for Christmas this year. After looking around we decided to go to the Great Wolfe Lodge in Concord NC. We had a blast. They have a inside water park with 13 slides...we survived the tornado, a wave pool, a adventure pool..with moving Lily pads & basketball hoops, and a water tent that dumped 10,000 gallons of water on you every 10 minutes. We played mi nature golf one afternoon and of coarse went to one of our favorite wing places Quaker State and Lube. I want to thank my personal shopper Jan that found swimsuits for all of us...not many places selling them here in winter...and Andy & Jan for all the snacks and goodies. We were water logged by the end of this trip. But wanted to race one more time down the racer. Inside this huge place there was a dunkun doughnuts, pizza hut, bakery, and a restaurant. There was an arcade and a teen computer area. They had everything even story time you could go to in your PJs. This was a cool place!

the Christmas Pageant

2010-01-14T11:12:00.003-05:00

In my opinion Avery's Creek had the best shepard, head angel and wise women ever played!!!!

Christmas

2010-01-14T10:37:00.003-05:00

We all had a great Christmas holiday. The girls, the Bear and I started the holiday off of with the annual run the Taco Bell. The Bear and the girls have done this for the past few years. Nothing says Christmas than a soft taco. After lunch the girls and I headed to Candler to meet Jonathan to head to Hickory. We spend Christmas Eve with the grand parents and the family. We open gifts and eat whiling standing around talking to everyone. It reminded me of the good old days, growing up, at Nanny & Dings. Afterwards we headed home to get ready for Santa. Sam lost another tooth that night..so the Tooth Fairy and Santa Clause had to come. Christmas morning we had breakfast at Sandi's and spent the morning with Tiff, Frankie, Sandi, and David. Then we went to visit Aunt Ruth for a while. Then it was off to the Bear's & Ho for lunch. We had a great time there and headed to Sandi's for dinner. I was so stuffed. We played a few rounds of Jenna's new game..Smart Ass...then headed home to crash. I didn't get up the next morning until 10. But it was a perfect Christmas. Great food and amazing family time.

2009-12-20T17:13:00.001-05:00

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SNOW

2009-12-20T16:24:00.003-05:00

Ok, who ever is shaking the snow globe can stop now...we ended up around 13 inches of snow. It started Thursday night with everyone and their brother at the grocery store buying whatever they could get their hands on. Friday morning I got up at around 5:45 to see if this big storm to hit and we had nothing. I got on the computer and checked the weather and the BCS site and the storm was coming and the schools were already cancelled. So, I talked to Jonathan & Ho and went back to bed for a few. I took the girls around 8:30 to the Bear's and headed to work. Without a problem I got to work. All day long it keep snowing and snowing. Called to everyone and was finally told to come home. So I headed home...the long way, it took me 45 minutes to get to a 10 minute usually drive. It keep coming down, I was at the Bear's and was talking to Jonathan and he was stuck on the interstate..it looked like a parking lot, After 2 1/2 hrs he was stir crazy. He finally found out that they would not be able to clean up the rd until the morning and he called Ho to come get him. Dad had asked if I needed anything he could bring home for me and that was the most important thing I could think of. So, HO drove to get him and they got home around 8. We had dinner and then a big slumber party. We all sleep at the Bear's bed & bagel inn. We got up and played in the snow & hung out all weekend. We have a few tubing trails, a beautiful snowman outside and a fire inside. I give it 4 stars ****, if you are in the area you need to stop by!

girls on the run

2009-12-20T08:42:00.004-05:00

Sam is in a club at school called Girls on the Run. It is for 4th & 5th grade girls. They talk about growing up and exercising. At the end of the season the girls and their buddies do a 5K.. I was Sam's buddy but I don't run real while. It was cold and windy. It was in the 30s but we had a great time. Goody's hair product company was there and they colored our hair and fix it (couldn't see it because we all had hats on)...I would have done better if there wasn't so many hills.
Man Im out of shape and old...run Forest run

4 H bake off

2009-12-20T08:38:00.002-05:00

The girls did a 4 H bake off with the help of the Bear & Ho. Tori made fruity cupcakes and got 2nd place, Jenna made shortbread and she won 1st place, and Sam made sourdough and won the cloverbud award. They all had a ball! Way to go!

2009-12-11T09:37:00.001-05:00

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Christmas help

2009-12-11T09:02:00.004-05:00

With Christmas here everyone is out helping everyone get everything that has to be done before the 25th. Jonathan helped with the gifts, the girls with baking, the Bear taking everyone where they needed to be, but I got some extra help the other day with putting up the Christmas lights. Monty wanted to put his paw in and help out.

Bristol lights

2009-12-11T08:43:00.002-05:00

Jonathan took the girls and I over to Bristol motor speed way to see the track in lights. There were over 600,000 lights and we were all uuuuu...ahhhhhing. It was like nothing I have ever seen before. In the in field they had a little Christmas village set up with rides, a bonfire to roast marsh mellows, food, & Santa. Yes I talked everyone in getting our picture taken with Santa after Sam talked to him. We had a great time watching the weather to make sure we didn't get snowed in over the mountain. Before we went into the lights we all rode the Chill Hill snow tubing out front. It is a 300ft slide that the was cool. You would get on your tube and they would push you down and you would go flying by. It was a amazing night.

mud dogging in SC

2009-12-03T13:12:00.002-05:00

You know you might be a redneck when you go out and play in the mud. We did that last Saturday with a few of Jonathan's friends. We packed up and headed to South Carolina to go ride the trails. Everyone came back safe but covered in mud. It was so fun and we got to see some rock climbing while we were out there. We can't wait to go back.

nemo on ice

2009-12-03T12:13:00.003-05:00

The Bear called and asked if I know that Disney on ice was coming...do you think the girls are to old? I said how cares I am not. So the girls and I went to nemo on ice. It was so amazing. This is one of my favorite Disney stories. I feel like Dory so many times. The skating was cool but the costumes and effects were amazing. You know I speak whale... fish are our friends not food...dude you have to let the little squirt ride the current...you made me ink... I don't think you are ever to old to enjoy a good Disney story.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T15:55:00.001-05:00

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Christmas Parade

2009-11-24T10:00:00.002-05:00

I know it is not even Thanksgiving yet but the girls and I went to the Christmas parade this past Saturday. Only in Asheville can you see roller derby girls and llamas in the same parade. We got lots of candy and even a coupon for a free waffle from the waffle house..life is good. It wasn't real cold but my butt was frozen after it was all over and the jolly old fat man rolled by. What a great way to start out the holiday week!

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-24T09:53:00.003-05:00

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from our house to yours we wish you a very happy thanksgiving

Tim he is looking for you

2009-11-24T09:37:00.002-05:00

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Tim he ate all the ham !!!

family gathering

2009-11-13T09:42:00.002-05:00

Ok, when you say we are all getting together the first thing out of our months is where are we eating. We got to go to Quaker State & Lube...a chicken wing place. We use to go to them when we were traveling the US, they are from PA. Very good. We all got together to celebrate a few birthdays, I know we were a little late. With every one's busy schedule it is sometimes hard to all get together but we all did. So we celebrate a very late B-day for Tim and a week late for Ra. We all had a great time and left very full.

carved pumpkins

2009-11-05T14:52:00.002-05:00

We did a carved pumpkin contest to raise money for relay for life. We had a table set up and the pumpkin that raises the most money wins a pizza. The winner gave the pizza to the lambs group at the church. We raised about $25.00 for the funny farm's account. Craving for a Cure!

halloween

2009-11-05T14:47:00.003-05:00

it may have rained, it may have poured, it may have gotten cold
but we still had a ball at truck & treat at church
you go trick & treating to every car...neat idea
the girls were all dressed up and we had a crowd until the weather went to the worst
Jenna went as thing 1
Tori went as thing 2
Sam was the fish in the fishbowl in the Cat in the Hat book

halloween chess

2009-11-05T14:43:00.002-05:00

every year the girls do a halloween chess tournament in Hendersonville...they dress up and play 4 games. This year Sam went and she did pretty good on the games but she won the costume contest...she was a fish in a fishbowl...

the day before

2009-11-05T14:39:00.003-05:00

most schools will not let the kids dress up for halloween anymore...so the girls got their halloween shirts out and showed off their devilish spirits.

halloween party

2009-11-05T14:32:00.004-05:00

we had a Halloween party at the church. The kids came dressed up, we played games (which team could put Mr Bones back together), food, lots & lots of candy and a pinata. It seemed like the kids had fun.

wave party

2009-11-05T14:01:00.004-05:00

I am the biggest chicken fan out there. I can eat chicken 3 times a day and have. But after Sam dressed up her cow as the chick fila cow at the fair she became the biggest chicken fan in south Asheville. The chick fila company hosted her a wave party for her and 20 of her friends and family. They let all of us order whatever we wanted to eat, the kids played on the playground, and they gave Sam a big chick fila cow, which is named Chicken now, (he goes everywhere with us). It was a great time. If you get the chance go support your local chick fila they support the locals!

pumpkin patch

2009-11-05T11:11:00.003-05:00

We took the girls to the Hickory Gap Farms in Fairview. It was a blast! We played with the animals, walked the corn maze, & picked pumpkins. The fall colors were amazing and the family time price less.

the end of the trail

2009-10-20T10:30:00.002-04:00

Sunday morning was cold...did I say it was COLD! We got up and headed to church around the bonfire and then started to pack up...yep it was still cold. We headed home back to Avery's Creek. The ride was windy but Dusty got us home safely. We started to unpack and put everything up. We went to check on the Bear & Ho after their trip to FLA and then headed to the house for a warm shower. We were tired but it was a fun trip and to know my family has always done this means so much to me. The girls didn't bring anything electric and no cell phones. Back to the basics. Cooking out, enjoying your family, and snuggling up together all to keep warm. Its a family tradition. We have already mark our calenders for next yr..the 3rd weekend in October.

Saturday' s trip

2009-10-20T10:04:00.003-04:00

We wondered out of the wagon around 8 to see what the rain had done last night. None of our wagons leaked so we were good. We found out we were not leaving until around 10 so we started breakfast. Nothing starts the day better than eggs, liver mash, hash browns, and hot coco. We loaded everything up and hit the trail. It was a little cold and the leaves hadn't changed a lot but the trip over the mountain was beautiful. After our lunch break it flurried a little but it didn't last long. We pulled in to Mills River and started to set up camp. We were good after we got the fire going. Jonathan started supper...grilling steaks and cooking bake potatoes in the fire. We went to the auction...Sam won a tub of candy and Jonathan won a blanket (we used that thing that night). Then it was back to the camp to listen to the band and cook smores. The girls snuggled into the wagon and I followed a little after. The boys woke me up at about 1am because they couldn't take the sleet & snow anymore and where going to bed. It got down to 30 that night but we were good because of the propane heater and that new blanket.

Friday's road trip

2009-10-20T09:44:00.003-04:00

Most of the wagons meet at the fireman's camp to all pull out at the same time and make the trip up to Lake Powhatan. We leave before the traffic at 4 but it always seems like a make some people mad blocking traffic, on 191. It is like the Craig Morgan song "International Harvester". Lucky it wasn't raining but a little cold. We got to the camp and parked and started a fire. We ate Marty's good bbq, had a drink, made banana boats, and played a few hands of cards. We went to bed right before the rain hit. The sound of rain drops on the tarp of a wagon will put you asleep, or was I just tired after running around getting everything together?

wagon train getting ready

2009-10-20T09:36:00.003-04:00

the week before the train is always a busy one...there is packing to do, supplies to buy, wood to cut, and getting it all in 2 wagons before the boys pull out on Friday afternoon...you don't know how many times I heard get your ass in the wagon and let's go... The girls were already playing cards and hanging out waiting for the wagons to pull out of the fireman's camp...on the road again

ghost town

2009-10-19T15:36:00.003-04:00

Jenna, Sam, Jonathan, & I went to the House of Terror at Ghost Town the other night. Tori refused to go. It was pretty good. First we had to talk Jenna onto the chair lift but she got on. The haunted house was 15 rooms of terror. One time Jenna was on the floor after something jumped out at her. Sam's heart was beating so fast. But we were all laughing by the time we got out of there. After that we got to ride the reopened Cliff hanger ride. It goes off the mountain. Way to cool. Sam couldn't ride it because she was 1 inch to short...next time she can.

crop walk

2009-10-15T14:40:00.002-04:00

The girls and I did the annual crop walk downtown Asheville Sunday with the church. This organization we help will help feed those in need. Our little church raised over $300.00. The fall weather felt great and the walk wasn't to bad.

HAUNTED HILL

2009-10-15T14:36:00.002-04:00

With Halloween coming up we have tried to get into the spirit of Halloween. We did the Haunted Hill Saturday night. The whole maze had evil clowns everywhere using water guns. We all had a blast, but Tori she didn't like it. But she & I got to scare her sister's and Jonathan when they came out the end of the maze. After that we took the hay ride and the girls painted pumpkins.

twins working

2009-10-15T14:12:00.005-04:00

Jenna & Tori worked all day last Saturday at Hey Day at the Nature Center. They helped visitors answer questions and let them get up close with the animals. Sam & I got to enjoy watching them work and all the fun all day. I think we spent most of the time at the gem mining tent and Sam even won a pumpkin pie at the cake walk. It was cold and rainy but we had a blast.

softball

2009-10-09T09:16:00.001-04:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

we finished up our season....no championship but we had the most fun

cider

2009-10-07T15:27:00.008-04:00

washing
picking
chopping
mushing
pouring
pressing
tasting
bottling
One of my favorite parts of fall is the fresh cider we get to enjoy. Alvin helped us out on Sunday and we made about 11 gallons of apple cider.

pumpkins

2009-10-07T14:49:00.002-04:00

the girls are already for the fall season and Halloween...they started carving pumpkins this past weekend, these 3 are for the Nature Center...Sam did a face (her pumpkin is the one we grew this yr on the farm), Jenna did a haunted house (her pumpkin is the one that Sam won the blue ribbon at the fair, and Tori did a peace sign (her pumpkin came from Wally World).

Sam

2009-10-07T14:42:00.002-04:00

Sam joined a Girl Scout troop, she is now a Junior Girl Scout. She was so excited and can not wait to sell cookies. Must be a family tradition, the Girl Scouts not just the cookies. They are planning a big trip in February to the Juliette Low house in Savannah. It seems like it is going to be a great group.

Diamond Run

2009-10-07T14:05:00.005-04:00

before picuture
Yes you heard right a diamond run. The local jewelry store in downtown did a scavenger hunt on a Sunday afternoon. There were 200 couples wondering around Asheville looking like they were lost and texting every step. Jonathan had to work so I talked Ho into playing the game with me. It was a 2 & 1/2 hr race. They would text you a clue about a place in the town. You would text it back and if your answer was correct you would have to go to that location and answer another question, this was a something about the place. We walked all over town. You could use bikes, scooters, or skateboards, no motor... I didn't know I could walk that far. They would ask what is the Holiest Street and you would type back Church Street. Then you would have to go there to find the oldest church...we were at the Grove Arcade and had to walk 4 blocks to church. We read maps, called the Bear, ran up and down the road, and had a good time. The 3rd time past the Mellow Mushroom Ho was begging to stop for a beer break but we keep going. We ended up with 241 points not bad we were ranked about 75 out of the 200. The couple that won got a $20,000 Lazar diamond...it was amazing & beautiful. This was the 1st annual so maybe we can try again next year, Ho just wants to make sure Jonathan is not working that day next year.
after picture

Jenna on tv

2009-10-05T16:29:00.002-04:00

check out the link below...it is Jenna's cooking show from the local tv today
way to go Jenn
http://www.wlos.com/newsroom/carolina_kitchen/vid_621.shtml

softball

2009-10-05T08:45:00.002-04:00

I haven't played softball in over 22 yrs. What was I thinking? We only won 2 games but we had a ball. We think we played like the bad news bears...but never won the championship like they did. Here are a few pictures. I caught all season long and only got ran over once...that is me in the pictures flying...but I got up and brushed myself off..it takes more then some guy to knock me off my feet.

CHICK FIL A

2009-09-30T12:53:00.002-04:00

Sam made the south Asheville website and facebook page on her costume contest at the fair. It also won our family a wave party in Oct. Check out the links to see her.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Asheville-NC/Chick-fil-A-South-Asheville/98910626431?ref=sgm&v=wall

the movie star

2009-09-28T13:28:00.002-04:00

If you didn't hear Jenna won the kid's spam cooking contest at the fair this year. She did Spam ola tacos. With this great honor she is going to have her recipe put in the national competition where she could win $$$$. The coolest part was our local tv station wanted her to come out and do a cooking segment on her Spam. She didn't want to do it at first but she agreed and did an amazing job all on 1 take. I am not allowed to tell anyone that she is going to be on tv but she didn't say anything about not blogging it....she will be on the cooking kitchen segment Oct 5th 12 o'clock news WLOS channel 13...but you didn't hear it from me. Watch out Paula Dean Jenna Ross is coming your way.

the end

2009-09-28T12:41:00.004-04:00

The sun has set (and it is still raining) on another year at the WNC Mountain State Fair. We are all wore out and need a rest... 354 more days until next year

free time

2009-09-28T12:17:00.005-04:00

We did get the chance to go out and enjoy the fair a little..

the fair @ night

2009-09-28T12:09:00.003-04:00

more ribbons

2009-09-25T16:55:00.002-04:00

Sam got the blue ribbon for her pumpkin
Jenna got 2nd on her sunflower
Tori got a participate ribbon for her shirt (we thought it was the best)

2009-09-25T16:38:00.001-04:00

what are they wearing????

2009-09-25T11:28:00.008-04:00

Yes you are seeing correctly, the cows are dressed up. This is one of the best part of showing. Sunday afternoon they do a costume contest. Jenna dressed up Marsha and herself as spaceships, Sam & Besti did the Chick fila eat more chicken, and Tori and Gracie did spoiled milk. (Gracie was dressed as a prisoner and Tori the cop). Tori placed 2nd, Sam 3rd and Jenna 5th.

mooore cows

2009-09-25T11:17:00.001-04:00

cows

2009-09-25T10:24:00.001-04:00