Monday, June 22, 2009

More Play

We took Joey and his cousin Kalyn to the park and to Fun Depot this past weekend. Fun Depot had lots to do: a soft play area (basically like the McDonalds play tunnels, but bigger), mini bowling, go carts and bumper cars, laser tag, batting cages, putt putt, face painting, arcade games and more! Joey was too little for most things but he still had a very eventful time.
The traumatic part was during mini bowling. The balls are actually still very heavy, even though they're smaller. And Joey decided to look inside the tunnel where the ball return goes. But as he was looking, a bowling ball was coming up and wacked him very hard in the head: so hard it sent the ball going back down! I was worried about a concussion, but he didnt even get a bump. But it smacked him hard, it was a very loud noise. It must have gotten him right on the toughest part of his skull.






Kalyn decided to take a nap while eating. It lasted about 4 seconds.






















They both wanted to drink the water coming out of the mister at the park. I'm sure there was all kinds of germs on it, but they had fun! LOL


Brianna and her nanny found a nice shaded spot to watch.









I took a picture of the bathroom at the park because Ray actually did the rock work on them back when they were built. He did a good job! They look great!




Our house is still getting shown a lot, but no offers yet. I just try to keep believing that there is a reason God wants Me and Joey in Asheville a little longer... hopefully not too much longer. Earl will get to come visit us here for the 4th of July weekend. We really miss him. Joey loves talking to him on the phone at nights before bed time. He loves talking on the house phone: not so much with cell phones. And the (sad) countdown is on for Angie's next deployment to Iraq. She leaves in like a month and half!!! Or less, really. For a year!!! We're not happy about that. It's never to early to start praying for her safe arrival, stay, and return.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Cousins, Carrots and Cool Parks (and more!)

Joey, Akira and Paige had a fun day of play outside, then McDonalds playland today!

This morning Joey decided he had to get "carrots" for the rabbit (no, we don't have a rabbit). As he was walking away to collect the carrots, he said, "i'll be right back, mom. If you need me, just holler." I laughed for a long time. He's so odd and funny and cute.

Talking on the phone to his daddy last night, saying "Daddy, do you see my red basket?" and Earl thought he'd make the conversation easy by saying, "yeah, cool!" and Joey said, "NO you can't see it. You're not here!" Ooops. Nice try, Earl.












We have a cool park here that has this water mister to cool off on hot days, and this day at the park was very hot.













Joey loves anything he can climb. And Jenny and Kiara too, apparently.

























Jenny probably had more fun than the kids. :)


Justin, our nephew, graduated from TC Roberson high school last saturday night. Congrats Justin!


On the day of the graduation, Louise, me and Donna and Justin's girlfriend Amber walked around downtown for a little while killing time. We were living on the edge: went to a coffee shop and didn't even order coffee . We had sodas, water, and yummy deserts.



I took pictures, not looking like a tourist at all. ;) he he.


Beautiful Donna! Joey was very impressed with her "shiny" shirt.






Bradley loves the water!




In Earl's brief time in Asheville with us, he had lots of quality time with Joey.






Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Birthday and Anniversary post




Happy 1 year anniversary of being sober, Ray!!! We're so proud of you! You are a hero!!!!


Happy 81st birthday Pawpaw! Hope you liked the puppy cupcakes Joey picked out.

A Carnival, dance recital and Earl's new house




This is Earl's camper--where he'll be living until we get our house sold and find a new one in VA.


















Asheville had a small carnival the other day and we got to go while Earl was in town.

Earl took Joey and Bradley on this crazy swirly ride and they all loved it.














Joey and Bradley rode the Kangaroo ride many times.


















Poor Louise. She had a hard time on the Ferris Wheel. She never told me she was afraid of heights. I'm not sure why she agreed to go on the ride with us if she was going to cry (well, almost) :)



She gripped Bradley's shorts the whole time! It was funny.






















Check out Earl's white beard coming in.




























The Dragon roller coaster was Joey and Bradley's favorite ride. They rode it at least half a dozen times, maybe more. Good thing we got the unlimited ride bracelets for them.













The bee ride: not so exciting.












The train was the first thing they rode.




















Joey's favorite spot at the Carnival, besides on the roller coaster, was on Daddy's shoulders.






















Grandpa gave Bradley and Joey $1 for 2 happy meals a piece. Guess Grandpa didn't factor in cost-of-living increases since 1950. $1 won't even buy half a happy meal these days! :)



















We also went to watch Paige's dance recital. She does ballet and clogging.