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!