The Dad Life

I had a great Father's day. Went to church and then out to eat with Jenn's dad and mom. I have thought about my dad over the past couple of days. I can't believe it has almost been 10 years since he passed away. A guy I work with showed me this Father's day video and I thought I would share.

Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

Camping Trip #2

Well let's try this again. Surely we won't have the same result - food poisoning and severe thunderstorms! After debating locations, we decided to go to Kings Mountain State Park. My aunt Terri and uncle Terry (yes both Terrys) live near there and they wanted to join us. It started off with an added adventure - the kids first taste of shell fish. I did a low country boil and they got to try shrimp and crab legs for the first time. I guess that is pushing our luck a little bit but we knew we were pretty close to medical attention. No reaction so it was all good. Evan did not like the shrimp but the girls did. They all ate crab legs and seemed to enjoy them.

Our neighbors ate a little later, so the kids got to munch on some of their food as well. Ellie ate and ate. Then we topped the night off with some cupcakes.



Now the pivotal point - night - night. They all got ready and then up to the loft they go. Evan was a little upset but within minutes the cries turned to playing. They don't get to sleep together normally so it turns into a pillow/bear fight. We listened in and they finally went to sleep. Jennifer and I went to bed as well. About 2:45 am we hear the cries of a little boy. He did not go back to sleep so I went to get him. I put him in the bed with us and he immediately was saying bear, bear, bear. He had a bear, but it was Charlotte's not his. Back to the loft and now Charlotte was up holding Evan's bear. Now we have two in the bed and they were not even trying to go to sleep. I had to move Ellie out of the way to get Charlotte and she did not move. After getting back in the bed it started to bother me that she did not move so being a worried dad I went and added her to the slumber party. This is what a triplet slumber party looks like in a camper.

They did not go back to sleep so we just watch movies and started the day a little earlier. I got some breakfast made - eggs, bacon, hash browns, and pancakes. They joined me outside and ate it up. Evan liked everything - even a little dirt on his pancake. Ellie loves bacon. Charlotte loves eggs - I think she had three all by herself.


Still up and full of energy, we headed to Terry's house to visit his neighbor's pool. They grabbed a quick nap on the way. They all got a little swim time in.

A little ride on the "boat".

Evan auditioned for a pool boy job.
The girls took an afternoon nap in the loft and Evan grabbed some z's in the truck. We then had friends (The Blanks Family) come by for dinner. Charlotte did not hesitate to claim little Brady (1 year old) as her boyfriend. What a cute couple!!!
Saturday night was a better night. We had some rain storms but they all went to sleep with little to no fussing. Would they make it all night? NO- Ellie wakes up at 6:20 asking for her bear. Ellie is a really good sleeper, but she loves her bear. It very rarely is out of her site. I got up, opened the loft, and scooped her up before waking the other two - they were out! She got in the bed with Jennifer and went back to sleep. At home they sleep from 9:15 pm to 9:15 am without a peep. Maybe one day they will embrace good sleep in the camper.

Now it is time to load up and go. Here's Charlotte getting ready for the ride home.
Ellie fell in love with Marley (Terri's dog). She wanted to spend most of the trip with her.

Evan was more than ready - already in the truck. It was for the best - one less little one running around.

Here's my Aunt and Uncle taking a quick picture before we pull out.

I'm putting the final touches on loading up.

I guess we are ready to try a 3 night camping trip.

Beat the Heat - New Pool

It has taken a while but our new pool is ready for relaxing.

Just kidding - this is our new pool.

$59.00 Blow up 10'X30" Pool

1500 gallons of water

Seeing Evan splash mommy for the first time (which she hates with a passion) - PRICELESS!!!

Welcome to years of splashing around with the kids!!!

Memorial Day Weekend

Remember that new paved road? On Saturday Evan had a little run in with the road and the road won. Look at this pitiful face.

On Sunday we took a drive to this beautiful place.This is Table Rock State Park in Pickens, SC. We are looking for a place to camp and wanted to check it out. We had a picnic lunch. Charlotte was pretending to be a bear.
Today was so hot we pulled out the pool. Thank you to all the men and women who has served this country so we could have this wonderful life with these 3.

Birthdays

May 21st (Jennifer's Birthday) started off with a bang. We went to Clarkesville for the annual Mountain Laurel festival. We would not be good parents if we did not take them to the parade. Off we went. We got great seats and wondered if the trips would sit still or want to get out of the choo choo to wander. They did great. We kept them occupied with snacks and plenty of parade activity. Here's the family enjoying some breakfast waiting on the parade.

After the parade we headed to Canton, GA to go to a birthday party for Karis. She was having her 2nd b-day party at a Gymboree. Jennifer has been wanting to take them to Gymboree, so this was a great opportunity to let them explore and challenge themselves. They went wild. Little quit Charlotte was the loudest kid in the room for a while. Squealing at the top of her lungs in excitement. Here are some action shots of them playing games and climbing on the obstacles.

Ellie playing the jumping monkey game.Evan loved jumping on this trampoline. Showing off for the ladies!!!
Charlotte's favorite game was the monkey on the log. She did it over and over again. Here she is with the birthday girl in front of her.

Gotta love cake and juice box!

I think he is a little tuckered out, but still holding his balloon.

And now for the real birthday girl. The babies love to get in the bed and chill out at night. Here they are loving on mommy for her birthday.