Mountain Lake?

Many of you may have heard of Mountain Lake(in Virginia), after all it is where the film Dirty Dancing was made. Not that I was allowed to watch it when it came out it but all of my friends were in it! I did watch it when I was older and understand why my parents wouldn't let me see it. Anyway all that to say that we went hiking up there IN the lake. Yes, you read that right, IN the lake. Mountain Lake is on the top of the mountain with an underground spring below it. So every hundred years or so it drains out. Now is one of those times, there is only a small pool of water at the deepest part. So here are some photos of our hike.

This boat house used to sit at the waters edge and the pier was in the water. Where we are walking used to be the shore.

This is the deepest part of the lake.

The stream at bottom of the lake.

The family at the bottom of the lake.
What the mud looks like. If it wasn't so cold it would have been like quicksand in places. As it was it was really muddy.
What's left of the lake.
We saw all sorts of intresting things that were at the bottom, an anchor, old beer cans, lures, and an old boat.
Looking toward the lodge.

We went here for our honeymoon so I had my parents take a picture in the same spot for memories.

Mountian Lake Lodge.

The view from the lodge.

The gazebo that you used to be able walk right down to the water. My mom told me its starting to fill up again so I'm glad we went when at my parents for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving

We went ot my parents house in Blacksburg for Thanksgiving this year so the whole family could be together. Both of my brothers also came. Carson with his wife, Jen and children, and Corey and his girlfriend, Caroline. We had such a GREAT time together. Here are lots of pictures to highlight our time together. I did not take all of these as my camera was getting fixed, so I was using my Mom's camera and Jen had hers.

On Wedensday it was warm so we played outside in the yard, a little tree climbing, frisbee, and football.

Hanging out with Aunt Jen. My youngest little brother Corey.

Fiona and Elizabeth with pigtails.

Playing hopsital.

Watching football from under the coffee table. Who knew it could be such a comfortable spot.

We went out to our favorite resturant Macados. We all have great memories here. I just loved Elizabeth's eye in this photo.My Dad with Fiona. Caroline and her massive Taco salad! Yes she did eat the whole thing minus the shell.

Carson kneading the bread dough. this is his favorite part of Thanksgiving making, I mean eating the rolls!

Dessert of apple pie.

The men did the dishes after the meal.

Then they rested while we put a puzzle together and watched the children.
These are some pictures from the hand in hand playground that we always go to. Its just down the street and the children love playing there.

All the cousins together. Owen(6), Elizabeth(6), Miles(7), Fiona(4), Andrew(3), and Gwen(2). So much fun to have them all close in age!

So thankful that we could all be together this Thanksgiving!

Pumpkin Kitty

It has been almost a month since my last post! I can't believe how time flies and how much we have done. I think I will update in a series of posts starting with this one about our new kitty. Fiona was so excited to go pick her up! Once we got home everyone wanted to see her. We were trying not to overwhelm her, but with four children it was nearly impossible.

Here she is coming out of her carrier. She is so cute!

And Poppa teaching Fiona how to hold her kitty.

This is Pumpkin, that is the name Fiona decided on. She was 10 weeks old when we got her.

Owen's Birthday

Owen had his 6th birthday party yesterday. He chose a lego theme this year. It was a really fun theme to work with. We had a lego building contest, lego brick cake, and everyone took home a small lego set. The cake took me much longer than I thought it would to make. It's not may best cake but Owen liked it, and thats what really matters.

Owen gets very shy when he is the focus of attention and usually does something silly. This year was no exception. After we finished singing he decided to not blow out the candles.

So everyone is hollering blow Owen blow, he just sits there until I inform him that the wax is going to melt all over the cake. He then procedes to blow each one out individualy. It took forever but he had everyone in stitches. He is such the entertainer. Here is my favorite shot of him from the day.

Kitty Shopping

Today we went "kitty" shopping. After much pleading we have given in and decited to get a kitten. We will be picking it up from my parents next week. In order to be ready we needed a few things so off to the store we went. Fiona is the one who talked Poppa into the kitty, which was not hard for her to do. If it had been any one else I am not so sure it would be happening. Just wait until the other 3 figure this one out! Anyway it was so much fun to watch them discuss which type of litter box and what color it should be. Who knew it would spark such debate? We also got a leash and harness, I was going to get a collar but decided that they might choke the poor thing to death, Fiona wanted pink but the boys vetoed that and they compromised on red. As Miles put it, "pink is really red washed out". We then had to get a toy, and treats, just like Moochie has. Moochie being my Mom's cat and the reason Fiona decided she wanted a pet. I stopped at buying the bed hoping that I can make something, and actually get the kitty to use the bed instead of someone's pillow

Now we wait to bring kitty home. Everone is so excited!

Young Voters

This evening David and I were discussing the upcoming election. Miles and Owen have been learning the history of voting and the importance of of the event in our counrty. Sitting in the living room Owen was writing the canidates names on a piece of paper and the asking Miles which one he was going to vote for and then circling the answer. They chose McCain as I am sure they have heard his name a lot more around our house than the other one. Owen made flags with "MuKun"s name on them and then they proceded to parade around the house repeating "vote for Mccain". Seeing another teachable moment we stopped them as asked them why they chose McCain, telling them everyone needs to have a good reason why they choose the person they want to be president. The responses were hysterical.

Miles: "I know, because it(his name) has a cane in it and you need a cane to go hiking and camping.

Owen: He wanted to have the same answer as Miles but we told him it was important to have your own reason and not just do what everybody else does. So his answer was "because you need a cane when you are old and we love old people.

So that was our laugh for the evening, I hope you get a chuckle out of it too. Oh and here is a photo, did you think I would just use words? :)