Today we did our last day of regular school! We also went to herdclotz park for a little while. 

 
Later we headed over to a softball game. Tonight dad had two different games. I think Redeemer has now got the hang of things. They put on some major blowouts for both of their games. On the way home, dad swung into Wal-mart and got some ice cream and root beer to celebrate our final day of school. After our root beer floats, we descended the stairs into the basement.  

After descending the stairs and realizing that dad was still here, I came to the conclusion that it was Memorial day. Later, after eating an omelet, Dad, Travis, and I headed over to a firework shop. While at the shop we purchased smoke bombs (for the beavers) and some fireworks for later tonight. At around 4:15 we had some friends come over for a Memorial day party. Dad smoked some ribs and mom made roasted veggies. Later tonight we shot out some fireworks.  

All and all I think we had a pretty successful Memorial day.

After school Caroline, Ben, Jack and I worked on one of our movies. We tramped through the woods, video camera in hand.  An hour later we came up from the creek. After taking a nasty spill,  my waist down was covered in mud. I had been climbing up a small hill in search of a good angle. When my legs began to give way, I held the camera out so that I wouldn't get damaged. Luckily just my lower body hit the water. Later today we cleaned the house then we headed on over to our church's softball game. I don't want to say that it was their best game, because the opposing team was that good. But we did win 17-2. Since it was Friday, we had our family night. We watched a few cooking shows and then we did a family night wrestling match. Then Travis and I played a game of Stratego. By the way, the picture below is of the online game Stratego. Here is a link in case you would like to check it out http://www.stratego.com/play/

For a couple months now dad and mom have been planning a trip to somewhere in North Carolina. Well the time had come for them to depart the household for a few days. On Friday, May 15, our friend Abby came over to watch us. Since mom and dad were gone from Friday through Sunday I will describe my post split up into three days. 

Day 1

On Friday when Abby got here, Travis started making some delicious double chocolate cookies. After that we played outside and then made dinner. Then with much persistence from the three younger kids, we watched Paddington for the third time. Thankfully the movie expired in two hours so this time is the last time they can watch it. When they finished their movie, Abby, Travis, Caroline and I put the boys to bed. Then Travis and I made a couple milkshakes and sat down to watch the first Avengers. At around midnight, we decided that our health is more important then our desires. So we walked up the stairs and into our bed. 

Day 2

   When I woke up it was around 7:30. After breakfast, Abby drove us to the TR Farmer's Market. 

After our glorious time at the Saturday Market, we headed over to the new establishment in Downtown TR, "Cool Mama's." It is a ice cream joint that has around ten different flavors.   Before choosing I carefully surveyed each individual flavor. Finally I decided on getting the Cappuccino Crunch with a few gummy bears.    

Turns out when I finished scraping the edges of my bowl, I realized that I enjoyed it very much. Well, after a lot of persuasion from the four younger kids, Abby decided on going over to a little playground at Gateway Park. While the kiddies played around, Travis and I contented ourselves in walking around the dirt bike trail like civilized humans. Slowly the prospect of eating dinner dawned on us. While Caroline and Abby made Mac&Cheese and Peas, I took a quick shower. Then I ate and soon after that I went to bed.

Day 3

At around 3:00am I was woken up by Travis. He and Abby were both in the hallway for some unknown reason. When I groggily got up to investigate, I found out that Travis had some sort of chest pain. A few minutes ago, Abby had called my mom and dad and told them that Travis wasn't himself. Then she had called the Deadwylers and asked if they would come over to oversee the household while she was gone. So they quickly drove to the doctor only to find that it was closed. Four hours later I awoke again to find that we were not going to go to Sunday School. But If Travis was feeling better then Abby would take Me and down to the regular service. When we got home we ate lunch and then we put the younger boys down for rest time. Two o clock came around with the arrival of my highly esteemed parents. And seeing as how that ends our three days without my parents, then I will end this post. 

Last night we watched the new movie, Paddington. A few days ago, the three little boys gave mom a box of Whoppers for mother's day and told her they were going to eat them while having a movie night. Last night mom decided that we were going to watch Paddington. After preparing bowls of vanilla and chocolate ice cream with Whoppers on the top, we headed downstairs to the couch. The book Paddington was really good and I guess I had high expectations for it. When the credits had finished, I should say I was half way pleased. It was good movie alone. But compared to the book I think they didn't do a great job. The film did have some humor as you can probably see by the cover. I thought that the animation on the bears however was good. I loved the British accents! All and all I think that it was an enjoyable movie. Click here to view a trailer. Thanks for reading!

After the Keigleys left a few days ago, they went to pick up a couple of baby goats. Well this afternoon  we decided to go over to their house and see them. I forgot to bring my camera so I unfortunately couldn't show you any pictures. But when I say that they were cute I mean CUTE! After that we played on their zip-line and ate amazing strawberry sorbet! Then we played a few rounds of Wolf and Deer, (it is sort of like Sharks and Minnows.) Then after a few minutes we left. About fifteen minutes after we got home, Caroline, Mom and I left to go to our Tuesday run. When we arrived we realized that the Keigleys and our friends the Woods were there. That night we had sausage, potatoes and roasted carrots for dinner. Following our dinner, Dad put the three younger boys to bed and Dad, Travis and I did our bible study. At around 9:30 I sadly finished my mug of hot chocolate and then retired for the night. 

   For any of you that did not witness the lightning show last night I will show you a picture that blew me away. Super excited when after pulling my camera from its original place, I was able to catch an amazing picture. Lightning is the kind of thing that flashes in less then a second. So I stood there by my window holding down the button gently so that it would not take until ready. It was complete guess work when I pressed down harder and released the button. And just then a huge bolt of lightning shot across the sky.

   Well, now that I have shown that to you I would like to post some pictures of the most adorable kittens you have ever laid eyes on. Two weeks old and they already have their eyes open and crawling around like pros. I think my mom agreed with me. She said that we should do a photo shoot with them. We set out a white, thick blanket against the wall and well you can see for yourself.

   I know right, pretty cute. Luckily for you however, we will be giving five of them away to good families that will dedicate love to these adorable, little kitties. Share a comment on this post if you would be interested  in taking one home. Thanks again!

   Last night our friend James came over to have a sleepover. And we got ready to have a garage sale today. After carrying a few loads of stuff onto dad's trailer, we took it up to the driveway. At around 12:30 we got in bed. Today when I got it was 6:38. So I went down the steps and began setting up for or garage sale. We quickly set up the signs, James and I made chocolate chip cookies and lemonade, and we finished getting set-up.

   When the garage sale was drawing to a close, we played a pick-up game of basketball. Later today James and I went over to his house and had an epic water fight! And now I am finally caught up to the present. Dad just a few minutes ago drove me and Caroline back to our house. So now that I have nothing more to write about then I will be saying my farewells.  

   Today we met up with our friends the Keigleys to go strawberry picking at Beechwood farms.

When we got home we ate strawberry shortcakes and after that we made a movie. It is really funny and hopefully I can put it on my blog soon. After they left and dad got home, we started getting ready for our garage sale we are going to have tomorrow. So right now it is 9:58 and James just came over to have a sleepover so goodnight all. 

Today I woke up and was told by reliable sources that we had to go all the way down to Woodruff Road. If you are not familiar with Woodruff then I will give you a brief summary. It is where the Merovan Center, Sam's Club, Costco, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Cabelas, and lots of other stuff come together to make a rather convenient shopping experience. Well the downside is that it is forty-five minutes away. Dad was having a golf tournament with his work. Unfortunately, he left his golf shoes. So we ate breakfast and piled into the car. But before we left Jack through a "little" tantrum. I don't really know how it started. All I know is that he kicked and screamed out, "I DON'T WANT TO GO!" Mom was not about to listen to him. We strapped him in his seat and headed to Woodruff. Well, forty-five minutes later we dropped off the shoes and began to leave. But rather than waste our trip down here, we did our grocery shopping. While there we went into Trader Joe's and Costco.  When we got home we did some school and had James Deadwyler over to play Settlers of Catan. Then later tonight we went on our weekly Pint and Pie run at Sidewall Pizza. After that we went over to our friends the Deadwyler's house for a Cinco de Mayo dinner of fish and beef tacos. While there we played another game of Settlers of Catan. When we got home we put the little kids down and Dad, Travis and I did our men's night. During our men's night we usually read and discuss the book Mere Christianity while sipping mugs of hot chocolate. After we discuss our book we usually play a board game, watch a food network show, or something else. This time Dad was really tired so we resorted to going to sleep.  

May 3, 2015

Today I was forced against my will to wake from a wonderful rest and get up. I had just awoken from a amazing dream which I forgot the moment I woke up. I dressed quickly, ate a bowl of breakfast cereal, and then ran upstairs to continue my chores and get ready to go to church. After the service I met with Travis and Dad to discuss whether or not we were going to go see the newest Marvel movie, Age of Ultron. In the end, we were victorious. We drove home and changed, then we got back into our car and drove to the Mueller household. There we met Charlie Mueller and then picked up burgers at Five Guys. Travis and I shared a double patty, bacon cheeseburger. Although we ordered the food and ate as quickly as possible, we were a few minutes away from being late. We swiftly made our way to the theatre and purchased four tickets to see the 1:15 showing of Age of Ultron.    

Coming into it I was scared as to whether or not it would be any good. Well, as a matter of fact, I was blown away at how good they did. Some of reviews that I heard said that it had too much action. But for any true Marvel fan I think the sight of Hulk swinging people around, Captain America throwing his shield at five different guys at a time, Hawkeye firing  arrows left and right, Black Widow performing intense martial arts at her victims, and Thor and Ironman destroying men who dared to cross paths with them was quite exciting. And  with lots of new characters added in, I think that they did a good job. I highly advise you to go and get the chance to see it in theaters before it is too late.  And if you still haven't been convinced yet then here is a trailer. After the film  we drove home and got ready to go to our church. Our church does this thing where several families get together on Sunday nights and have good fellowship along side each other. The church calls them Community Groups. However, this Sunday all of the Community Group leaders (which includes us) gathered at the church building and met together. Two hours later we were on highway twenty-five outside TR. And within five minutes of that we were home and getting ready to get in bed. 

May 2, 2015

Today we got up at 7:00am and quickly left to go to a community rummage sale about twenty minutes away. Okay lets be honest, when I was informed the night before that we were going to a rummage sale I was expecting a moderately crowded area. However I was definitely not expecting there to be around three hundred people flocking over more than a thousand items. Suddenly I switched from my calm, relaxed, tired self to full-on garage sale/rummage sale mode. When I finally untangled myself from the increasing crowd an hour later, I was ready to go. All together, I think our family purchased some pretty decent goods. Caroline, Ben, Jack, and Eli made several purchases, while I bought a forty year old version of Clue. While out and about we went to the first 2015 TR farmer's market. In case you haven't had the pleasure of going to it, I highly advise it. There are more venders which means double the fun. When we got home, we began the long process of cleaning out a room in the middle floor to make a new office for my dad. Sadly, our house also needed to be cleaned. So, five hours passed with long and hard work. Thankfully though we finally finished. Afterwards we headed outside. Unfortunately for me and all you allergic people out there, pollen is still out there, trust me. When mom told us that we had to take shower, I welcomed it gratefully. So I will be saying farewell to you all, and goodnight.