Chloe's Flat Friend

Today we packaged up Chloe's flat friend and got her ready to send back to Chloe. We were asked to decorate the flat gingerbread friend with stuff from the state we live in. Since we took her with us, we decorated her with fun things from seven states. Whittney wanted to pose with her.

Missouri is her hair, Tennessee is her necklace, and Illinois is a luggage tag she is holding. We added cactus for Texas and a car for Indiana (the Indy 500). We also added ducks for Arkansas and a sticker showing that she went to the First Calvary Museum at Fort Hood.

We are glad that Chloe asked us to help her with her kindergarten project. We have a fun time with her flat gingerbread friend!

Aubrey

After Max's appointment, we stopped by Grandpa and Grandma's for a little bit. Just as we were getting ready to leave and go home, the kids noticed that Uncle Andy and Aunt Holly's car was at Grandpa Pat and Grandma Suzie's house. We just HAD to stop and see Aubrey.

Aleigha was anxious to play with her.

Whittney wanted her turn with Aubrey too.

Uncle Andy decided to be a jungle gym...Gavin was first. He was actually saying The Pledge of Allegiance during this picture.

Whittney was next.

Aleigha had to have a turn too!

Fun with Uncle Andy!

After playing, Uncle Andy and Gavin were having a conversation about Gavin's future job career. Gavin told him that he wanted to be an astronaut, but then her read about spaceships blowing up. He wanted to be a window washer, but he was worried that he might fall while working. He wanted to be a firefighter, but then he was worried that he might be hurt. So he decided that he would like to be in the army...Uncle Andy told him to do a job analysis to help him decide his future job. I am thinking maybe when he is older than 8, he will be able to decide.

Max Goes to the Doctor

Today we all had to go back to work and school. After school, Max had an appointment for his check-up and shots. On the way, Whittney fell asleep with Max on her lap. Dad took Max to the vet while Mom and the kids went grocery shopping with the kids.

Happy Easter to Our Family in Canton, Ohio!

This is a picture of the Lebaron convertible that is currently parked in our driveway. It will soon make its way to Canton, Ohio.

Although it is parked in our driveway, we do not claim any responsibility for it...we cannot be blamed for this act by association...(got it Aunt Linda?) ;-) LOL

Once Nathan put the top down, the kids decided that it may not make it to Ohio, but stay right here with us! Sorry Uncle Eugene!!

HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE (BUCKEYES OR NOT)! WE HOPE YOU HAVE A FABULOUS DAY SPENDING TIME WITH YOUR FAMILIES!

Mammoth Cave

Once we finally arrived at Mammoth Cave National Park, the kids were more than ready to get out...as was Daddy! Here is Whittney, Gavin, and their gingerbread friend.

We took the Mammoth Passage tour through a portion of the cave. As we entered, we saw this waterfall. The neat thing was that there was not a spring or water source leading to the waterfall.

We are standing inside the cave looking at the entrance. There were 63 steps going down into the cave and 62 steps going up. The waterfall is to the right of the stairs.

Whittney and Gavin inside the cave.

Aleigha is riding on dad's shoulders. She walked some and rode on Daddy or Mommy's shoulders.

After the tour, we were walking back up a hill to our vehicle. We passed this spot and the kids wanted their picture taken. This was a fantastic place for us to stop and take a break from our drive. Gavin is already planning our next trip and which tours he would like us to take...

Travel Troubles

We left this morning at 7:30AM and were looking forward to a great day of travels. In Kentucky, there had been two accidents and road work going on. It took us a lot longer to get where we were going...I-70 was closed for a portion of the trip, due to an accident that morning. This is a picture of Nathan just 30 minutes into the stopped traffic.

Here is the reason for the first time we had stopped traffic. We got off just three miles before the road construction to get lunch, stretch our legs, and give Daddy time to cool off...Then we got back on the road.

This is dad several hours later...in more stopped traffic. This was because officials had shut down a portion of the road from an accident. Notice the smile is missing...

The kids are hanging on...getting a little antsy.

YEAH!! We are almost there...just another 30 minutes to get to the exit...We practiced our virtue of patience today!

Swim Time!

We stopped in Arkansas this evening at a Baymont Hotel and Suites. The kids were more than ready to go swimming. They love swimming any time of the year! Here they are...all ready to walk down to the pool!

Whataburger

For lunch today, we stopped and ate at Whataburger. The food was delicious and the workers were very pleasant. As we were waiting for our food to be delivered, Aleigha was dancing around with the number on her head...

Smiles

This morning I had Kara and was finishing getting ready in the bathroom. Gavin came in to talk to me and Kara wanted him to hold her. Here they are...We packed up and drove to Arkansas today.

Thanks to Uncle Jared, Aunt Janalle, Kara, Piper, Lacy, and Raja. We had a nice time in Texas!

Fort Hood

Today we headed to Fort Hood to see where Uncle Jared works. Aunt Janalle took us to a museum where we were able to see different scenes from previous wars. Gavin is standing in front of a table that had a scaled down battle field. He thought it was pretty neat!

After touring the museum, we went outside to see military equipment both past and present. Daddy and Gavin were drawn to this Skycrane. It was used in the Vietnam War and has lifted loads up to 40,780 pounds. Daddy and Gavin are looking at all of the buttons and switches. Pretty amazing...

This is a side picture of the Skycrane.

Chloe (our cousin) is in kindergarten and sent us a gingerbread character. We took her with us to Texas and took some pictures! Gavin, Whittney, and Chloe's gingerbread friend are in front of a observation helipcopter called a Kiowa. This helipcopter is 40 feet long and can travel at speeds up to 138 miles per hour! It was used in the Vietnam War also.

Chloe's gingerbread friend and Whittney are in front of a battle tank called Abrams. You can tell from the picture that it is painted the sand color...and used during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. It can travel 45 miles per hour and can fit 4 soliders inside.

Gavin, Whittney, and their gingerbread friend are standing with another main battle tank...Patton. This tank was created between 1960 and 1962. Itcould travel 30 miles per hour and was phased out by the Abram...pictured above.

Gavin was very interested in this attack helicopter called the Cobra. It was used from 1965-1996. It was 52 feet long and has a blade that is 44 feet long.

He thought these holes were very interesting...and had to count them. "They could shoot seven at a time," he told us.

Gavin and his gingerbread friend are in front of a helicopter known as Dustoff. It was used in Vietnam War. It could hoist five patients at once...and carry 6 patients plus the crew.

The girls were getting a little more interested in the flowers in the grass than the military equipment...

Enjoying spring break (we wore shorts, but it was a little chilly)! The kids were just excited to be able to wear shorts. It was in the 30s when we left home...no shorts in sight!

Aleigha feeling silly...and chewing gum.

As we were leaving the museum, this was located in the sidewalk. The girls took it upon themselves to place flowers on it..."for the people who died."

Aunt Janlle took us to a memorial at Fort Hood. This was one of the stones.

This is the whole memorial. It was pretty amazing.

We drove around the base and saw some incredible things...Gavin liked seeing the military machines...especially the helicopters. After driving around and site seeing, we headed to a local Mexican resturant. Daddy has a fun story to go with the name...from his youth!

Fun with Kara!

This morning the girls were busy reading books. It seems Aleigha liked to bring books from Kara's bedroom to the living room. She would make a couple of trips before settling in to read. We are glad to report that Kara likes to read books!! She fits in nicely to our book loving family! Her and Whittney were enjoying some great books this morning!

Kara...not sure what to think...

Aleigha and Kara.

Gavin was hiding under his pillow, Whittney's pillow, and a blanket...he asked me to take his picture...SILLY BOY!

Kara seemed to be bashful when Daddy talked to her. She is sitting next to him on the couch...hiding her head.

Fun With Family

This morning, Whittney was taking pictures around the house...Kara's bed, Kara's changing table, Kara's bookshelf, Kara's trashcan, Rajah the cat, Lacey, the living room, and Piper. I think Piper was excited to get her picture taken!

Aleigha has enjoyed feeding Kara a bottle...when Kara will allow it!

The girls are all hanging on Daddy...a fun moment!

Today is Grandma Till's birthday! We called her and put her on speakerphone. Everyone sang to her. She enjoyed hearing from all of us today!

Aleigha is extremely animated on or off the phone...She is telling Grandma Till all about our vacation!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDMA TILL!