Deep Creek 2009/NC Berry Reception

Deep Creek is my absolute favorite time of year. I knew a girl whose family went to the same place every summer for vacation. I thought how dumb is that to go to the same place every year but ... now I know. It is located in the Smoky Mountain National Park in Bryson City, NC. Some of the best sleeping ever (of course my mattress is coveted by all)for those that don't have the NEW and improved air bed(NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH A REGULAR AIR MATTRESS) There is just nothing like waking to the sounds of birds singing and squirrels chatting back and forth to one another(or listening to the conversation of a fellow camper) The campfires, tube rides, card games,good food and fellowship can not be matched. I do hope everyone will be able to come next year. A certain someone is turning 60-what better place to celebrate than Deep Creek!!

Happy 4th of July in ATL

On Thursday Norman and I decided we would see if we could get a room in ATL so we could watch Luke and Summer run in the Peachtree Road Race on Saturday. I really thought everything would be booked but you know Norman and his negotiating skills, he was able to get us a corner room over looking Peachtree and 10th right where the runners would make the turn to the finish line. All for a really good price!!

Friday morning we met Luke @ Atlantic Station for a combo tour of the BODIES Exhibit/Dialog in the Dark. It was absolutely amazing! I had my on personal tour guide, Luke, for the Bodies Exhibit and I really learned alot about God's wonderful creation of the body and how it is all intricately connected to work together. AWESOME!!! The Dialog in the Dark was a 30 min. simulation of what it would be like to be blind. We were given a white cane and entered an area where the lights were slowly dimmed until it was completely black. You literally could not see your hand in from of your face. Our guide who was blind directed us with only the sound of his voice. We traveled through a park, took a ride on a bus, walked down a busy street, visited a soda fountain, crossed a bridge and tried to do some grocery shopping. A whole new appreciation for my sight!

By the time we finished our tour it was lunch time. It was a beautiful, breezy day so we decided to eat outside @ Doc Green's, a sandwich/salad place. It was good. We then made a brief visit to IKEA. I had never been and had heard alot about it. (Note to self-never go shopping with Luke and Norman) I think we were in there a total of 10 mins including checkout time. It was then time to check into our hotel. The view was perfect.

That night Samuel met us and we all walked down to a local restaurant for dinner where once again we ate outside with a nice cool breeze. The meal was delicious and the conversation was very enjoyable. Summer joined us later and we all went back to the hotel to talk some more. Samuel stayed until around 11. Luke and Summer decided to spend the night so they would be downtown early for the race. We called for a roll away. Summer got the mattress and Luke got the bed frame. It was so much fun to just sit around and talk/listen to them. What a blessing!!!!

Saturday morning we were all up early. Summer and Luke left for the Marta to the starting line and Norman and I found a nice shady spot for our lawn chairs. He and I then walked to the Broadway Diner for breakfast. By the time we returned the race was well underway. So many people, all ages, shapes, sizes, and styles. We were able to see Summer, Suzie, Luke, Jenny and her mom-all sporting Waffle House T-Shirts that read "I run so I can eat at Waffle House". We walked down to Peidmont Park for a few photos.

Next it was off to Summer and Josh's for a 4th of July Pool Party complete with delicous BBQ, potato salad, baked beans, Frito Corn Salad, watermelon, homemade ice cream and lots of good fellowship with Josh, Summer, Samuel, Luke, the Gernatts and many of their neighbors and friends.

It was a wonderful 4th of July celebration. We are so blessed to live in this beautiful free country!!!

Happy 30th Birthday, Josh!!!!!
Well someone told me the other day that my other son(in-law) may think I was a little partial to Ryan because I had kept his picture on my blog for so long but as I said in that blog I am so blessed to have TWO wonderful son(in-laws) but today I will blog about Josh. Josh joined our family OFFICIALLY about 5 and a half years ago and has been such an added blessing to us all. He, like Ryan, is such a good brother-in-law to Summer's siblings who can all be somewhat opinionated at times.(just stating the facts) He is always a willing helper when things need to be done in our huge extended family. He is easy going and an excellent babysitter!!!!! His nieces and nephews love their Uncle Josh-in fact, much to Summer's dismay, I believe they said "Josh" before they said "Summer"(Actually, I think they said Maddux before either of them)He is an encourager, too but most of all he loves our daughter. Thanks, Josh, for being such a blessing to our family. Happy 30th Birthday, we love you.