Field Trip

Since we are homeschooling AJ this year we decided that it was important to us to join the local homeschool association. So far we're very pleased with it. They have more activities a year than you can shake a stick at, from preschool outings/playgroups music classes, p.e. classes to high school science fairs/historian clubs and even a graduation ceremony complete with yearbooks. AJ is in the first grade this year and we had our first field trip yesterday. He's gone on field trips before but with so many others at home I haven't had an opportunity to go with him.
Yesterday we went to a local fire station. Since it's all homeschoolers I got to take JM as well. Little Peanut and Grasshopper went to a sitter. The weather was beautiful, sunny skies and a cool breeze. We got a tour of the fire station and a tour of all the tools on the fire truck.
The sun was just a little bright.
One of the fire fighters demonstrated how they put on all their gear and what they sound like when they are breathing with their air masks on. They do sound just like Darth Vader. After putting everything on slowly and talking about each piece he gave a us a speed demonstration. These firefighters are required to be completely dressed in under 60 seconds. They wouldn't put their air tanks and helmets on until they get to the scene but he did for us. And I videoed it. hehe. (stupid computer...I can't turn my video right side up. please don't get a crick in you neck!)
Afterwards the kids all got firehats and books. What a fun first field trip. I'm looking forward to more.

Tailgating

Sunday evening our church had their annual tailgate party as a fall kickoff. All the life groups came with their grills and yummy yummy food. There was an outdoor baptism as well. Two of our lifegroup members got baptized and I felt like a proud mother hen.
Gratuitous picnic kissing shot. :)
AJ couldn't be dragged away from the fun and games.
JM wasn't feeling himself so he was napping in the van for a bit.
Grasshopper just chillin'.
Hector getting baptized.
Christina getting baptized.
Me and Nathan.
Little Peanut found a willing victim.
Me and Laura-self portrait.

Wright Brothers Memorial

Last week Nathan's brother Peter stayed with us. Both Nathan and Peter are interested in airplanes so while we took our regular trip to the beach we stopped at the Wright Brother's Memorial. Here are a few pictures.
We also went to the beach at Kill Devil Hills. I can now say that I like the Currituck Beach better. We did have a good time though. Our friend Laura came with us and Laura's sister and nephew, Stephanie and Mason.
Hanging out on the monument!
At the top of the hill.
Nathan and Peter.
Mason and Andrew.
How typical!

I Finally Broke

It's been a long time coming but it had to be done. Here are the before and after pictures.
My baby isn't a baby anymore. He's a big boy.

Trampoline And other things

We're staying at my sister ShaggaBear's taking care of the dogs while they are in WV. One of the allures about Aunt Shagga's yard is the trampoline. AJ has been having a blast. You'll want to turn the volume down on the video, the neighbor is mowing the yard.

The other children have been enjoying the swing set. Grasshopper decided to linger over his lunch.

Awesome Find Continued

Yea for blog parties. This is going up at Nesting Place for the blog party Price My Space.
Awhile back I posted about a cabinet that Nathan and I happened upon at a yard sale. We weren't even looking for a cabinet that day but when I saw it I knew it would be perfect. It was a unfinished and a little rough around the edges. The hardware on it was hideous but oh the potential that it oozed. We have a very large wall at home that goes from the living room into the eating area. I needed something large to ground the living room arrangement.
We paid $40 for and hauled it home. On closer inspection we realized that it was handmade. There were pencil markings for measurements. Nathan of course was please that it was so sturdy and seemed like it would hold up well.
I asked my readers to guess what color I would paint it. There were some good guesses. Several people said blue, they know me well. My mom guessed red, white, and blue. Someone else guessed white. But the winner was Mandy's 'Pookie Bear' with black.
This isn't the best picture of the finished product but we absolutely love it. I bought new knobs at Wal-Mart and Nathan spray painted the hinges.
Here's Before.
And after primer.
And finished product.Next task, make a great tablescape for the top. Something with a beachy theme.