Sugarload Mountain

We visited Sugarloaf Mountain today. I wasn't sure how the kids would handle hiking up that mountain but they did great. Really great. I carried Jay up most of the way (and the way down ~ which was pretty cool to hear a few rock climbers comment to one another "that mom is a rock star carrying her kid up"). It was really pretty when we got to the top and the kids loved the view. James stayed back some, like me; we don't do well with heights. Jacob, on the other hand, probably would have scaled back down if we had let him. He got dangerously close to the edge, scaring me half to death, along with some other hikers.

The Zoo

Monday was a holiday ~ Columbus Day ~ but the kiddos still had school. We took Jenna for her first day and once we picked her up, the rest of the gang played hookie and we were off to the zoo. It was a beautiful day and it wasn't too busy. Here's some neat pictures Jamie captured.



We had a great day. Sometimes you just have to take a day to spend the day together. Our lives have been so crazy busy with football, baseball and cheerleading that we just needed that. It was great.

Some Mountain Fun

We spent a week in the mountains at the end of July for vacation as we always do. We had a lot of fun just relaxing and riding the 4 wheeler. Jamie even taught me and James to drive it ourselves! Jasmine and Jacob got to drive it too with help from Daddy. Oh wait, Jacob drove it on his own too! EEK! 

Here's some pictures to highlight our time there.

Jenna hanging out in the back of Daddy's truck


Daddy and JayJay


The gang helping Daddy cut down and pull out the dead trees




Jay and I just hang out and watch, eating snacks and drinking water


Uncle Carl and Chad came over one day so we did S'mores with Chad




I think we are in trouble with this one


And this one...


Well probably all of them






We had a great time and can't wait to go back as always.

Welcome to the family Luke!

Today, my sister, Joanna, welcomed, along with her hubby, Steven and daughter, Hope, their new son into their family. Both mom and baby are doing great.

WOO HOO! What a great day!

Luke Josef Karnis

February 28, 2010 at 11:30 am
8 lbs 8 oz, 20 inches

A neat thing ~ both Jaylynn and Luke were born on the 28th. Obviously of different months but we have a lot of family number things that go on and it's just neat to see another connection. Jay and Luke are exactly 8 months apart.

Welcome to the world Luke! We love you and are so happy you are here.

Family Vacation to Alabama ~ Day 6

Visit with Opa/Opie

Today was the reason that Jamie pushed me and the kids to come. Today isn't promised to anyone no matter what age you are but my Opa isn't doing great. While we all had a wonderfully fun-filled week, this was one of the main reasons for the visit. As I said earlier, the last time we saw my Oma and Opa, Jordan was a baby. Jamie and I learned two years ago that tomorrow isn't promised and you have to take advantage of being able to see those you love when you can. Dad took Jo, Boo and I, with Jaylynn, to see our Opa.

My Opa hasn't been doing good for awhile now. I wasn't sure what to expect going to see him. I was actually expecting much worse but as Dad and Uncle Frits told us, that this was an amazing visit. One that we are so fortunate to have had. Something I will cherish forever. I will be forever grateful to my parents and to Jamie for making sure that I got to tell my Opa that I loved him. Something Jamie wishes he would have gotten with his dad. Just one more time.

When we went in, Opa was in the kitchen area. He saw us and you could tell he knew we were there and who we were. Of course there were tears, even from Opa, which made more tears from the rest of us.



We then went to Opa's room. More tears and lots of recognition from Opa. He knew who we were and would smile then weep. It was heartwrenching and wonderful all at the same time. He couldn't take his eyes off of Jaylynn. Oma kept telling him that was his great-grandchild. I am grateful that Jordan got to see him again and Jasmine got to meet him. I wish all the kids could have but it would have just been too much.

Getting ready to take the picture, see how Opa is just staring at her. It wasn't a blank stare. He was just staring at Jaylynn.



When it was time to go, Jo went up to Opa first to give him a hug and a kiss and said I love you. Opa, very clearly said, I love you too. Then I went up and did the same. Opa again said I love you too. Boo did the same and again Opa responded. Such an amazing gift we were each given. I will cherish that moment forever.

Tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. Maybe we will get another visit with Opa. Maybe we won't. If we don't, I got to say good-bye. I got my hug and kiss.

When we got back from our visit, all the Missouri family was at the house to see us off. We had some lunch and finished loading up the van. Lots of hugs, kisses and attempts to steal my kids. Then we headed for Jo and Steve's house.

Family Vacation to Alabama ~ Day 5

Beach Time Again!

We had to get in another day at the beach. I really can't believe I'm saying that as I still hate sand but the kids LOVE it. The first day at the beach, I just kept thinking "Jamie should be seeing this." "Jamie should be enjoying this with them." The beach is totally Jamie's thing. He loves it. Every day I was adding pictures to Facebook so Jamie could see what we were doing. He saw one of the pictures of Jacob boogy boarding and couldn't look at anymore. He was just so sad he wasn't there. It just would have been so much better if Jamie could have been with us.

Anyway, back to the beach. Not all of the kids wanted to go on the beach initially. Some were still burnt from the first day on the beach. Mom and I decided we could hang out in the condo with Nana and take turns going down on the beach with the kids. Plus we figured they would change their minds and we didn't want to be stuck at the beach house with a crying kid who wanted to be on the beach. It was a good thing because they all ended up on the beach again. We made sure to thoroughly lotion them each up and reapply a lot. They had another great day.



I just want to know how Aunt Janice manages to go in the ocean, boogy board and still have perfect DRY hair???



Later on that evening, we went out to the beach again for pictures. Kylie's boyfriend, Steven, is a wonderful photographer and took all sorts of pictures of us. Me and the kids. Oma and Opa with their grandkids. Nana with her great grandbabies. And on and on. I haven't seen those yet as Steven has to process them and then I think we are getting them on disk. He did give us each a picture to take home with us. LOVE it! Again, just wish Jamie was a part of it.



THANK YOU STEVEN!!