The Annual Christmas Play!

Quite a bit late but, as they say, "Better late than never!"  This year Daphne made it so that everyone had at least one solo.  We even had Ruthie on the violin and Evie and Mary Fran on the recorder.  A special thanks to our neighbor, Mr. Vitale, for teaching the girls this summer.  Can't wait to get back to the lessons!

Christmas Time's A Comin'

This past Saturday was the annual Ashe County Christmas Parade.  Yes, it's early for one but the Ashe High School Band is in high demand all through December and the town decided to always do the parade in November so the band can be part of it.  We look forward to this all year long!

 Cade boy was a little worried about the volume and decided he wanted to camp out in the back of the car.

 We brought bags for the candy they love to give out.  Unfortunately, Mary Fran wasn't in a festive mood yet.

 Ward was!

 He heard the parade was starting and decided to get ready.

 It's started!!

 Charlie Brown Christmas!

 Mater made an appearance this year...

 ...along with many classic cars!

 Some of the many wonderful veterans in our county

 Tiny racing cars

 Max from "Where the Wild Things Are"

 courtesy of our Ashe County Library.  We LOVE our Library! 

 Ward said, "MONSTER TRUCK!!!"

 Happy Tails Pet Store with tutus on their dogs

 Yes, we have our own wrestling league.  Impressed?  Yes, I know you are.

 The procession of Fire Trucks has started!  Like Drew said, "I don't care how old you are.  There's just something about a row of Fire Trucks with lights going and horns blaring."

 Pumped

 Horses and riders from Happy Trails Church

And, of course, Santa completed it riding on an old fashioned West Jefferson Fire Engine

I tell ya, if you come to the Ashe County Christmas Parade, no other parade will do it for you ever again.  We love where we live!

The "All in One" Birthday Party

 This post in two months in the making, I know.  Here's the deal, though, once we got to the park I realized I had left the camera at home.  Thankfully, Aunt Molly told me she'd share her pictures with me.  Unfortunately, I kept forgetting to get her memory card until recently.  Yes, yes.  Excuses, excuses.
Anywho, we decided to have the chil'uns' birthday party at a park we had spied across the lake from our campground back in May.  It had a nice swimming area and playground and what else is there when you're a kid?  Very much unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and it was chilly, overcast, and threatening to rain.  All things considered the shelter was nice as well as all the assorted play spaces.

Mary Fran and LeeAnne jumped right on the swings that were right at the picnic shelter.  Two peas in a pod!

Showing his cousin, Julee, some lovin'.

Evie and her Granddaddy

While Drew was cooking up the hamburgers all the kiddos and a handful of adults headed down to the big playground.  After some nice, tame playing there was a request for a Shark Attack.  Mommy/Aunt Fran was more than happy to oblige and off they went!

Best Buds!!

After a little rest the shark was back on the prowl.  LeeAnne looked like a tasty morsel!

Fearless, just fearless

I never tire of that smile...

Just checking on things down below!

Love these two girls!

I'm not sure exactly what the conversation was but my guess is that Ward is trying to decide whether or not to believe Uncle Grayson.  Wise one, he is.

Plethora of presents for 4 young 'uns!

The cakes.  Everyone wanted green except for Mary Fran.  Surprised?

Grandmama and some of her girls

Gettin' their eat on!  Wardy was a little down in the mouth because he had recently spilled his drink.  When you rarely get sugary drinks, that's a big deal!

Now Cade with his Granddaddy

Again, I'm not quite sure what happened but it seems the kiddos decided to gang up on Uncle Grayson.

Can somebody help the old boy, please?!?!

We're lighting the candles...

...and blowing them out!  Not sure many ate Cade's cake.



Ward perked up at the prospect of some cake!  All better now!

 Just for posterity's sake!

Thankfully, the rain held off until right when we got into the cars to leave.  What a blessing!

 This one wasn't at the party but I just had to include it.  This about sums up their relationship.  She calls the boys "bothersome brothers."



The Patriotic Petrey's

Yesterday evening the chil'uns did a patriotic play.  I don't think I need to say anymore!

Roughin' It

The last week in May we headed down to Wilkesboro to Bandit's Roost campground for a week's vacation.  We have some good friend's who had offered to let us use their camper and decided to take them up on it.  It was perfect because Drew didn't have very far to go back and forth from work so he didn't have to take a whole week off but we got to spend the evenings around a campfire and just chill.  Heaven...

The first evening there was Memorial Day and we cooked out with Winston, Karen, Molly, and Mamaw.  Here's the shot from our campsite down to the eating/grilling/sitting area.  Can I tell you how wonderful it was?



The lovely camper.  The door Evie's going in has a slide in the middle which our children promptly used to play "restaurant."

The first night was a little rough.  Our four little ducklings all had a hard time settling down especially after the JINORMOUS marshmallows Aunt Molly brought to roast.  Next time they'll go home with her. :)



After the long night and early morning we went to the playground and had a marvelous time.  We nicknamed this one "the badger hole."



We saw much wildlife.  Here you can see the goslings...



...and a Blue Heron.  Near the swimming hole there was a Killdeer that had laid 4 eggs right on the ground.  Another family had put some logs around the nest so no one would accidentally step on the eggs but we thoroughly enjoyed watching the mommy Killdeer perform her "broken wing" routine to draw us away from the nest.

Every morning after breakfast we'd go for a walk or hike through the woods or play on the playground.  After lunch and naps for the boys we'd head over to the swimming hole for the afternoon.  Not a bad way to spend a week, huh?



Drew was able to take off Friday and we took him on the hiking trail we found.  Here's a view of Kerr Scott Lake where the campground was.  Ward led us on this hike.

Sorry there's not more pictures but we were busy and it's hard to take pictures when you are watching four little ones in a swimming area. :)  I've got some videos from the playground in the post below for your viewing pleasure!