handsful

We headed out around noon, had an uneventful trip (the best kind, when you’ve got 5 children), and arrived here in Boone just after the sun went down.

The kids did GREAT on the trip here!  They watched one movie, played game systems, read books, and we all listened to comedians on Randy’s Ipod (have I mentioned here how much we LOVE Brian Regan?).  Lainey never once complained or got fussy…but, she did ask us repeatedly about the “big mountain” (signing).  Her version of “are we there YET??”  The kids all ooohed and ahhhed when we caught our first glimpse of the mountains and were literally “wowing” every few seconds as we wound our way around, up, and down them.  Once we arrived at the cabin, they were estatic and kept thanking us for bringing them here.  We are anticipating a memory-making trip and can’t wait to get started!

Horseback riding in the morning!

The last part of our trip was a spur of the moment thing, when we ran into old friends of ours at the NC Homeschool Convention.  We were invited to their dads vs. sons football game and it was a fantastic opportunity to see friends that we’ve not seen in years! 

Back BK (before kids), we were members of Crossroad’s Fellowship and were in a small group with about 6 other couples.  None of us had kids.  Randy and I were first, having Abbey in February.  Amazingly, everyone else had their first child within a year’s time!  We literally all became parents together, helping and supporting each other along the way.  We were missing a couple of families, who moved away long ago.  But, it was a blast seeing everyone!

The moms – Rebecca, Jan, Shelley, Valerie, Julie, Kristin, me

The kids – Abbey, John William, Emily, Taylor, Allen, Kathleen, and Zachary

John William and Abbey, the two oldest.  Years ago, John William’s parents and I watched a video parenting series at our house, while the babies played on the floor.  I started to dig up a baby pic and post it here, but I’ll save them the embarrassment. 

Abbey and Taylor…very good friends back in the day.  I kept Taylor when she was a baby while Jan worked.  I remember clearly Taylor falling out of her bouncy seat (she was only a few months old, I had her unstrapped for just a second and she tumbled out).  Oh, the guilt!  She looks fine to me.  :)

The game…Randy said he wasn’t going to play.  Yea, right.  There he is in the black shirt, giving it all he’s got.  The boys are in there somewhere.  Not sure who won?  I know Kristin’s husband, Jim, didn’t.  He dove for the ball and ended cracking ribs and seperating his shoulder.  Poor guy is still rehabing…hope you feel better soon, Jim.  And, yes, you’re a stud. 

Marley and Danielle…Danielle is Zach’s younger sister.  Her family has been down to Florida to see us a couple of times, which is always great. 

Rebecca, me, and Val

John, Jeff, and Randy. 

Thanks for letting us crash your day, guys!  We loved seeing everyone!

We were able to spend time with pretty much all of our family while in NC, which is quite a feat!  The kids especially look so forward to spending time with all of their cousins. 

Lined up on the couch at Aunt Kim and Uncle John’s house.  Marley and Katherine are missing, most likely tracking down a frog in the backyard or planning their college careers up in K’s bedroom. 

And, Matthew was upstairs, snuggling with his dad and entertaining us with his giggles. 

Here is M and K, enjoying some extremely sweet cookies and wonderful chocolate cake from Nana. 

Lainey loved these cookies, especially the red sprinkles. 

Granma, are you trying to swipe my cookie?? 

Lainey with Granma and Granpa…she spent her very first night away from Randy and I while we were at the homeschool conference (Abbey went with us, the other 4 stayed).  She did okay, had a few rough moments and clinged to Marley quite a bit.  But, it’s all a process in her learning that mama and dada will ALWAYS come back.

Lainey loved Tony and Dee Dee’s dog, Riley. 

Payton and Gabe…the only cousins currently wired. 

We hung out with Randy’s dad and Kathy while home, too.  Here are Paw Paw and Nana with their FL grands. 

Kendall and Abbey

Nana and Paw Paw’s new dog , Hogan took a licking…uh, liking to Marley. 

Our trip memories aren’t done yet.  Stay tuned.

Our kids and Randy’s brother’s kids, ages 17 - 2.  

We took a trip to NC during Memorial Day weekend, and I’m just NOW posting about it (much to my mother’s dismay…).  We took so many pictures, that going through them has been the daunting task that I’ve cleverly avoided until now.  Honestly, though, I’ve only gone through half and only the LAST half of the trip.  Too late to finish (yawn), so I’ll just post our trip in parts.  You don’t mind, do you?

We usually head home to NC around Easter, because Randy’s mom Ann has a HUGE egg hunt that she puts on for the kids.  This year, we decided to go home later so the egg hunt just got postponed a bit.  Same amount of fun, no matter when it happens!

Lainey looked hard for those eggs!  Gram helped her a lot, too. 

Pa-Paul helped with the out-of-reach eggs. 

Currently his favorite shirt. 

stretch, boy!  Don’t you just love the coordinated outfit?

Marley always has time to pose. 

Abbey (in white shirt) reading her clues.  The big kids (age 12 and up) do the hiding for the younger kid’s hunt and then Gram makes up clues for them to find their giant filled eggs. 

Now, for some clowning around… 

Abbey and Samara

Dee Dee and Randy’s brother, Tony

Tony kept making us laugh, the big goon. 

Going through the egg hunt loot…

Yes, she must spend HOURS putting all these eggs together.  There are 10 kids, and each child must have at least 20 eggs. 

Next installment of our NC trip coming up soon!

Standing in front of the Atlantic ocean…coast to coast completed! 

Let me back up a bit.  With about 26 miles to go, the guys had to cross a BIG bridge called the Shands.  This bridge crosses the whole St. Johns river, about 1 1/2miles long and it’s very busy with traffic.  Just as they were getting ready to cross, a State Trooper drove by.  Chris (their servant-hearted friend who drove the van, fed them, kept them hydrated, etc.) flagged him down, and the guys had a police escort complete with lights and sirens!!  Here is the shot Chris got from behind…

How cool is that?!?

Here are more pictures from the celebration.  All the parents, some of the other Real Life Groups, and the Jr. High Pastor, Bill and his family were there to show their support and love for this great group of guys.  We are all so proud of them. 

The kids made signs for daddy…Ethan noticed his T for J mistake in the truck on the way.  No big deal, dude, dad will love it.  He did. 

Gregg and Randy, giving out Coast to Coast certificates

Randy said the hardest part of the whole 2 days was the last bridge, coming over the intercoastal waterway.  That bridge is STEEP, and they were dreading it.  Plus, it was within 5 miles of the end and the guys were gassed.  One of the dad’s (Luke’s) drove to the bridge, parked, walked up to the very top, and stood on the side.  As the bikers came into view, he started cheering and yelling, encouraging them to make it up that bridge.  That brings tears to my eyes.  Randy also said several of the other parents drove with them, stopping to cheer them on, driving a little farther down and doing it all again.  Love it. 

This was an amazing weekend for these men and boys…what an accomplishment!  They learned much about what it truly means to endure and then come out the other side victoriously.  They learned the most about relying on God’s strength, when you have none left. 

After the certificates were given out, everyone headed home.  As we packed up, I got this…

I couldn’t help it, she was so intensely shoveling and looking so darn cute, I had to snap a picture. 

I also got this…I’d been picturing this photo in my head for a while, just needed to get to the beach to snap it.  Might try again (and have Abbey lay off the orange nail polish?), but I like it.

Spoke to Randy this morning as we were headed out to church…they had gotten on the road early and had a fantastic first leg!  Last I heard at 1:40, they had made it to Green Cove Springs and had lunch.  We’re leaving at 4pm to head to the beach.  They’ll call at their last rest stop, to let us know approximately what time they should be pulling into Mickler’s parking lot.  The end is near, and I heard they’re tired!

The beginning of Day One – standing in front of the gulf, ready to ride!

A shot of the ride – many thanks to Chris Graves (a.k.a. the van driver) for taking these pics! 

I’ve spoken to Randy several times today, and today went really well.  One of the guys had a crash, but nothing serious.  Another has had a sore knee, but they adjusted his seat and that has helped some.  We’re praying for LOTS of sleep tonight, and for them to wake up feeling rested and not TOO sore!  Tomorrow’s ride is longer than today’s, but the adrenaline should kick in as they come to areas they recognize and think of riding victoriously into Mickler’s Beach where everyone will be waiting for them!  I hear some people are even making signs ;) 

On the homefront, we had a great day today, too.  Baseball game was fun and not too hot, all the kids swam once we got home, Lainey had a long nap, and then shopping and Panera Bread for dinner.  Lainey did have TWO accidents today, once after swimming (which is my fault…the girl drinks the pool water the whole time she’s in there because she forgets to close her mouth!) and again right after we got home from dinner.  To her credit, once she started, she was able to stop, frantically sign “POTTY” to me, I ran her in the bathroom and she finished in the potty.  Was that too much information? 

More tomorrow!!