Shots, Friends, Paintball, Shopping, and Birthday

Its been a little busy this week.  Karson had to get his immunizations and a physical for middle school.   My boys are finally finished until they are adults and then they are on their own! ha!  Okay, so maybe not.  But no more shots for 10 years.  I don't think they believe me when I say it hurts me just as bad as it hurts them.  Karson had a tough time this go around.  He was due 3 shots and on the first stick, he tensed up, jerked his arm and well... it wasn't a go.  He bent the needle and boohooed just a tad.  It took us 2 hours to work up the courage to finish up.  What a miserable time, I felt so sorry for our favorite nurse Heather.  So needless to say this is the only photo I got.

The boys had some friends over this week to swim.  I don't know why boys don't like having their picture taken.  Maybe I'm just that annoying mom?

Saturday the boys headed off to Tenn to BearClaw for Free Play Day.  This was Dad's first time going.  We all got up about 3am & loaded the truck.  I then gave them kisses and back to bed I went.

Karson came back with several of these.  OUCH!  And Papaw came back with a bummed ankle.

So what's a girl to do with all the boys gone on a Saturday?  Call up one of her besties and go shopping of course!  My favorite red head Kelli B and I headed out for a girls day but not before stopping by to drop lunch off to her hubby Justin.  For those that don't know, Kris & I met thru these two.  I just love them both so much!!

Boot Wash lol

Justin & Kelli

I just love this dude!  And of course, he loves me too.  Can't you tell.

My favorite red head is probably one of the funniest friends I have, she so much fun to be around.  Have I told you how much I (heart) her?

This is where they burn the coal that my hubby mines. Okay, so it might not be the exact coal from his mines but something like that.

After stopping at a few lil boutiques, the mall, and Target  it was time for a lil "get up and go" drink.  Starbucks!  one of my favorites!

I found this tankini top at Target.  It doesn't look as well on me, but I do like it.

Sunday I hosted a pool party for my niece Isabella's 4th birthday.  We grilled, went swimming, opened presents, ate some cake, and swim some more.

I just love to watch her play with anything Toy Story.  She's so into it.

So into Buzz and Woody that she paid no attention to Uncle K.

I think she had a pretty good time.

This week seems to be just as busy as the last.  Karson has belt testing Friday night.  This weekend I have a benefit too attend, our July Social (in which I'm very excited about because I get to learn how to play Bunco) and my parents closed on the business yesterday.  So I'm making adjustments and moving my office home in a few days.  I do have a date with the hubs this weekend so I'm excited about that.  Happy Blogging Bloggers!

Loving me some Summer Time

Oh I just love summer days, grilling out, spending time with my family by the pool.  Thursday I had my mom, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and niece over for some pool time.  We grilled and hung out on floats while the men were hard at work.  I have to say that I felt guilty, I'm not use to having many days off to just loaf around.  It was a good day to pull out my Nora Fleming serve ware that I love so much,  check out the lil mustard/ketchup mini, isn't is cute!

Saturday morning I got up early and went shopping all by my lonesome.  The kids were sleeping in and Kris was working so I went to town.  Hit up Wally World, The Pool Store, Uncle Lee's, and Kroger.

I had some dollars left on my Mothers Day gift certificate from Uncle Lee's so I seen these two cutie patooti items and I just had to have them.   Only had to pay about $3.00 over my gift certificate, so I did really good.

Came home and the kids invited some friends over to swim.

The boys thought Mom should learn to shoot a paintball gun. So I did, it was fun.

My son took this picture and I literally crack up when I see it.  Its now my FB profile picture.

Later that evening the in-laws came out to swim and grill.

Karson started back at TKD this week.  We've been out for a while due to baseball and vacation.  But now we are back in full swing, or kick I should say.

Mr. Johnson was back in class for a few short minutes.  He's improving everyday.  He will be having his stint removed tomorrow and its very risky.   Thank you for all your prayers, please think of them tomorrow as well.  Hoping he comes home healthy and improving every day.

Been a fun and laid back week, I've enjoyed spending some time my kids and their friends.  Special thanks to the hubs who works so hard so I can be here for them.

Camping in the Smokies

Last week Kris was given some last minute time off work so we decided to take the boys camping in the Smokey Mountains.  Now the kidos thought Mom couldn't rough it.  Well I call roughing it at a campground with water and electricity and a really nice bath house.   I grew up in a campground, sleeping in tents when the parents were usually in the campers/RV's/5th Wheels.  I think my parents have owned about 20 of these throughout my life time.  Camping was one of the most fun things my parents did with my brother & I.  I can't remember not being at a campground several weekends out of the year for the most part of my life.  Riding four wheelers, cooking over a campfire, chasing boys, you know all the fun stuff.

Our trip started out Thursday morning.....see me.........."HAPPY & EXCITED TO HAVE TIME WITH ALL 3 OF MY FAVORITE BOYS" ready to go camping Me!

Kris - much needed time off work.  Happy, Relaxed!

The 15 year old! Embarrassed.

The 11 year old.  Sleepy. 

We took our time heading down, stopping to eat, shop, whatever anyone wanted to do.  We stopped at my favorite winery in Pigeon Forge, TN.  Mountain Valley Winery is my MOST FAVORITE winery ever.  I've been to several but I just love this one.  So I usually try to stock up (3 whole bottles) because Ky will not let you ship anything into the big state of Kentucky .  So no online orders. Booooooo!

Picked up 2 of my favorites, Blackberry & Mountain Berry.  Also puchased their newest simi sweet wine, Rhubarb.  It was delish!!!!!!!!

Then we headed up the mountain to set up camp.  We stayed at a great place called Crazy Horse Campground about 13 miles outside of Gatlinburg, TN.  The bathhouses were really nice and super clean.  The boys loved the pool, the stream, & the fishing pond.  They also had a water slide but we didn't have enough time to use it.  The first night we set up camp, got a fire going, and then started on dinner.

Welcome to Camp Fabulous!

Kris found a really good recipe called Campers Stew.  Here's a copy and paste of the directions:

It's a simple mess-free dinner the whole family can enjoy.

On a 15 " strip of aluminum foil, crumble hamburger and top it with finely chopped potatoes, onions, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, and any vegetable you have on hand. Add salt, pepper and a tsp of butter to the top. Wrap it up tight and stick on a bed of hot coals. When it's done add Tabasco or ketchup. ummmmmm. It's fabulous.

And Fabulous it was!!! Yummy and the Rhubarb wine to go with it made it super yummy. 

After a hard days work of travel, setting up camp and eating way too much we all sit around the camp fire and just had some good ol' family time.

Good Morning on Day 2

We stopped here at a mom and pop style market to pick up the boys fishing license.

Headed out to Cades Cove and had a picnic along one of the many mountain streams.

Entered the Cades Cove 11 mile loop to explore the beauty of the cove and all its nature and history.

First stop was at the Methodist Church and the Church Grave yard.  Look how sad, 3 children within 3 years.

This had no DOB.

I don't know why I've always had a "thing" about little white churches.  But I just love them.

Seen several deer through out our 2 hour ride.

Old homesteads, barns, and cabins.

After the loop tour we stopped along the way to let the boys fish for a while and then headed back to camp. The Hubs loves to cook (yes I'm a lucky girl) so every night we had something great.  This night was pork chops & steaks, grilled potatoes & carrots, grilled corn, and campfire beans.

Day 3 was my favorite day on the lil mini vacation.  I was up and ready to go before any of the boys.  After getting them awake, we had a great breakfast that consisted of cereal, poptarts, white doughnuts and last nights left overs.  Breakfast of Champions!  We loaded the truck up and headed back up to the mountain streams and fishing holes.

Grumpy Karson

This was our first time being in Gatlinburg during the July 4th festival and parade.  The town was really decorated up and flags flying everywhere.

Not a good picture but the only bear we seen during this trip.

We stopped at KFC and picked up lunch, found an off road fishing hole that was really private.

The boys fished and explored the stream, I sat in my chair enjoying the peace and quite.

Almost felt like a spa day, was so relaxing.

After a few hours we headed up to a place close to Cades Cove that was just perfect.  It had a small swimming hole, some good size fish, and a great place to put your feet in the water.

Once again, me and my chair.  One Happy Girl.

Me & my baby boy.

The water felt so nice, we stayed here for about 5 hours.

After our great day in the stream we headed back to camp to settle down.  As you can see, we really were not roughing it that much.

Day 4 we headed home.

Kris and I came here for our Honeymoon 16 years ago and we use to laugh at this sign.  It once said "Good Food, Cold Beer".

After stopping a few places to shop a bit, we headed home.  Took some back roads through Central Kentucky and enjoyed our time together.

I thought Karson was asleep for half of the ride home, but I was mistaken.  He had DSI game withdraws.

Kris really enjoyed his time off and is currently planning another trip back.

Lane was not so embarrassed by his mother by the end of the trip.  Guess he finally seen my camping skills. HA!

And I survived.

Had a wonderful time with my 3 favorite boys.  Ready to go again.