Dale Hollow 2014

We just returned from a quick vacation to one of our favorite spots, Dale Hollow Lake.  We were able to go with our great friends, Chad and Callie, and we had so much fun!  The weather was gorgeous (except for some rain one day), the water was amazing, the sun was hot, and the laughter was endless...we all managed to come home with sun burns (despite a smorgasbord of sunscreen, which we used often) and plenty of funny stories!

 

 

 

Here are some pictures of our trip.  If you've never been to Dale Hollow, I would highly recommend it.  The water is so clear and there are tons of coves that you can just tuck into and enjoy the sunshine. 

 

We found a really good deal on a "Relaxation Station", but we didn't realize just how big it was going to be!  It took up the entire boat when we were inflating it (thank goodness for an electric pump), but it was worth every penny!  We spent hours on it one of the days, which might be part of the reason we all came home with sunburns, lol.  It definitely made you feel relaxed!

 

We stopped on the way down at the Corvette museum so that we could see the sink hole.  Andy and I had been there before, but the sink hole was definitely worth another trip.  It was huge, 60 feet deep!

 

15 Months

Today was Kyran's 15 month check-up.  It was a very uneventful check-up, which is always a good thing.  Here is a snapshot of Kyran:

Height - 32.5 inches (right around 80-90%)
Weight - 24 lb 6 oz (around 60-70%)
Head circumference: 19.75 inches (off the charts, as usual!)

Appetite: Kyran eats anything and everything.  He loves yogurt, fruit and crackers.  He's also a huge fan of popcorn (I know, I know, babies shouldn't have that) and raisins.  He would eat all day long, as long as he doesn't have to sit down.

Sleep: He goes to bed around 9:00 and now that we're on summer hours, he'll sleep until 9:00-10:00 in the morning (yes, I'm absolutely loving this)!  He also naps, either once or twice a day, depending on how early he wakes up.

Motor development: He is on the go, All. The. Time.  This kid doesn't stop moving from the time he gets up until the time his head hits the mattress.  He LOVES to climb!  This is a challenge for us, since Ben was never a climber (never, ever)!  We find Kyran on the chairs, the couch, the table, and the countertops.  He'll move chairs clear across the room if it means he'll gain access to a higher surface.  He is definitely different from Ben, but that's what makes our kiddos unique...and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Language: He is a bit slower in this than Ben was at his age, but that's to be expected with the second child.  He has a vocabulary of around 6-10 words, consisting of DaDa, MaMa, Linda (our babysitter), ball, thank you, Gampa (Grandpa Jim), Papaw (Papa Pat), kitty, doggy, and sometimes tractor.  Even with his limited vocabulary, he makes sure that we understand him...he has several levels of "scream" that he uses quite often!

Our little guy keeps us hopping and is ornery to the core, but he has a smile that can light up the room and his giggle melts our hearts.  We are so blessed to have two wonderful little boys! 

Sunday, FUN-day!

We just got home from Mom and Dad's house where we had a cook-out with my Mom's cousin, Jeannette.  I love Jeannette for so many reasons.  1, she's family...2, she is the spitting image of my Grandma Fincher (and acts a lot like her too, which is a double bonus)...and 3, she has a heart of gold!  When she and Jim would come visit, I could just sit for hours and listen to all of the interesting places they had gone and all of the stories they had to tell.  I told Jeannette this week that she really needed to write down her life travels and history, because it's almost unbelievable all of the things she and Jim have done!  I had so much fun getting to visit with her and I think Kyran had lots of fun entertaining her...he sure did put on a show (he even included some fits, ha ha)!
 

 



We had lots of fun while we were at Mom's.  The kids swam in the hot tub, rode the 4-wheeler, rode the mule, and even took turns driving.  We also loaded up my old playhouse to take back to our place.  My dad, my brother Matt, and my Grandpa Walsh made the playhouse for Eric and I back in 1989 as a Christmas present.  I had been wanting it for years, but Mom always had been using it at her place...but, this year, I got it!  Ben told Eric that this was going to be his playhouse.  Eric said that Ben had to buy out Eric's share for $1.00.  Uncle Dave told Ben to just buy us both out, so that he could have full ownership.  Papaw loaned Ben his first mortgage of $2.00, and Eric drew up the contract.  Ben signed on the dotted line, and the playhouse is now officially his, ha ha! 

 

 

It took lots of hands to get the playhouse loaded, but we made it safe and sound back to our place and it's successfully off of the trailer!

 

 

 

It was such a good day...perfect weather and lots of laughs!  It was a nice way to start summer break.  I'm looking forward to many more days like today!

 

Grandma Debbie is such a good sport! 

 



 



Let the Summer Fun Begin!

Last weekend we had a little get-together with our friends.  The weather was absolutely perfect and we had really been wanting to light a fire and enjoy what's left of spring before it gets way too hot.  We had just opened the pool the day before, so unfortunately, it was still freezing cold.  But, as you can see, that didn't stop the kids from having a good time!

Mr. Kyran didn't get to join in the water fun, but he and Lynx had a good time watching!

 

The kids got braver and more daring with age!

Emily's 1st Communion

This past weekend, we celebrated another 1st communion...my niece, Emily's.  It was a beautiful day and she was a beautiful little girl!  It was so neat to see how excited her class was to receive their first communion.  We were especially happy, because a former priest of ours, Father Dave, was their officiant.  He did such a great job, especially during the sermon.  He came down and talked to each of the kids and really made it special for them!

 Receiving her certificate and gift.

 Emily and her cake...it was delicious!

 Mom and Dad, looking good!

 All three handsome grandsons!

 Little Miss Lucy enjoyed the sunshine too.

 We also got to meet Morgan for the first time.  She is a sweetie!

 Katie brought her 1st Communion dress so that we could get pictures of both girls together.  What a happy year for our family; two sweet girls receiving 1st Communion!

Little Kyran was on the go all day...but, what else is new with him!

Family Fun Night

Last night, we took Ben and went to Family Fun Night at the high school.  It was a great night (a little windy) for the bounce houses and he had an absolute blast...until the very end.  Let just say that involved a jousting ring, some miscommunication on my part, and some tears.  Not the best way to end the night, but all in all, he said it was "super fun"! 

Katie's Special Day!

Today we celebrated Katie's 1st Holy Communion...what a special, special day for her and her family.  We were so happy that we could spend the day with this sweet girl and witness this milestone in her faith journey.  We love you Katie!