Saturday, July 9, 2011

kanuga!

We spent the week of the Fourth in Kanuga for our fourth year in a row. Here is a picture of our cottage. Lindy, Eric, Maylen and Gage were able to join us too!
The first night is always the "Nibble and Sip" social at the lake. After years of all the kids wearing their best clothes...we finally realized that they always get filthy in the lake during that party ..so we decided to let them wear bathing suits. All the other parents wished they had done the same!


 Here are Lindy and Eric with the twins in downtown Hendersonville. They were only supposed to stay through Wednesday, but they decided that they were having so much fun that they stayed the whole week! We were thrilled!! I mean...who wouldn't want to spend time with these sweet little faces??


 One of the main stops in Hendersonville was - of course- the German restaurant! Tyndale is making his classic "cheese!" face below. We all enjoyed the meal...even Maylen and Gage were gobbling up the spaetzle!
 32 ounces of pure deliciousness! After dinner we went shopping at the Fresh Market..guess which section Quinn liked best...??
 We did a ton of hiking. Below is Eagle Rock. Mark and Brad hiked there. One day Brad and Eric and I hiked up to Long Rocks and High Rocks...this was the time I went off the trail...saw a snake about a foot away..and was standing in an ant bed. Won't go off the trail again! Especially since my "protectors" jumped away from me when I screamed about the ants instead of helping me out...we got a good laugh about that. Our whole family did a 6 mile hike in Dupont and loved Bridal Veil Falls. Those pics are on Brad's phone..I will upload them and add them.

 The next night was Fourth of July, and Kanuga put on a great show! The fireworks across the lake were outstanding. Tyndale didn't like the loud noises at first, but by the end he was really enjoying the "boom booms!"
We hiked up to Triple Falls...even the babies! 


 And after that we cooled off (more like FROZE off) near Hooker Falls.


I promised myself that I would get in the lake this year and attempt a dam swim...and by the end of the week I had done three! So refreshing and fun..will definitely do this again. Lindy and I getting ready for a dam swim below...team stripes.

 T got a tool set in Dancing Bear Toy Store in Hendersonville, so this is what he looked like most of the week. I have a tradition of taking Kanuga clawtub bath pics of my kids every year...so I had to get one of Maylen and Gage too.

 The Carnival is another fun night event. And we continued our trend of winning at the raffle...Lindy won a Kanuga huggie...now if we could have just found a beer somewhere...


 ...wonder what made that blue tongue. And the yearly Kanuga bath pic! I added the ones from the past two years too..so fun!
2011
2010

 2009
 The Square Dance! Usually held outside, but due to threatening weather held inside this year. This is such a highlight for us.

 Isn't my partner beautiful?
 Porch time: rocking and wood carving.
We had such a wonderful week and can't wait to do it again next year!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Gulf Shores Beach Trip 2011

As usual we started our beach vacation off with a trip to Ed's Seafood Shack...our fave little Mobile eatery on the way to the beach!

This picture is actually out of place....it was after DAYS on the beach and in the pool..the kids had a restful afternoon in bed watching Matilda and eating popcorn.

Tyndale and Gage...Tyndale drank his body weight in Gatorade daily...as you can see he found a safe spot to keep it. Below: all the cousins!




 Lindy and Eric making their ridiculously rich and sinful Eclair Cake...mmmmm... And below...a Betzhold family picture...how darling!

 We spent a TON of time at the beach..and the pool..and the beach...and the pool...and even the lagoon..but when we were inside getting some rest, THIS is what the kids looked like! Books and games on the IPads! They even had an app that could make your picture look like a zombie..we laughed so hard!

 Even the little ones were on the computer!

 One of my favorite sights of beach trip is the lovingly named "cornucopia" of fresh fruits and veggies!


 Hadley, Maylen and Gage in the "twin habitat"





 all the girls!

 Probably Tyndale's favorite part of the beach trip was hanging out in the Jeep. He loved to pretend he was driving it!
Here is Meme reading a book about the Amish way of life to the kids...they recently visited Pennsylvania.

 Tyndale with a true smile...with a bottle of Gatorade in hand...and on lip!
 Every year we visit the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. We were able to see the Blue Angels flying...it was fun! And loud!



Tyndale needed a haircut the most...so he sat in the barber's chair. Hadley and Quinn got to meet the captain of the Blue Angels! He even signed a picture for them!

Bedtime after a long day! We had such a wonderful time on the beach...celebrating family and fun and making wonderful memories!