MAKING MEMORIES

we have had a great time these past few weeks.. if we have had a few days off work together, we have been taking little mini camping trips.. we have had a ball just being together, and enjoying the camping life.. we have found several ''new'' things to do, as far as organization, and cooked some great meals, and we survived our first thunderstorm, while camping.. we made it through it!! we are packing up and heading out again, for another little adventure... we are enjoying our little camper, it is not fancy, but is quickly becoming our ''home away from home'', and we have had so much fun, making memories with each other and with family and friends.

even in the valley

High upon this mountain, the sun is shining bright.

My heart is filled with gladness, here above the cares of life.

But, I 've just come through the valley, of trouble, fear,and pain,

It was there, I came to know my God, enough, to stand and say..

Even in the valley, God is good, Even in the valley, He is faithful and true.

He carries His children through, like He said He would.

Even in the valley, God is good.

This road of life has lead you, to a valley of defeat,

You wonder if the Father, has heard your desperate plea,

There is hope in that rugged place, where tears of sorrow dwell,

Can't you hear Him gently whispering,''Iam here, and all is well."

Even in the valley, God is good.

Even in the valley, He is fathful and true.

He carries His children through, like He said He would,

Even in the valley, God is good!!!

He is still good, no matter what we face, and He will be there with His Grace to see us through.

PSALM 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Day trippin

TABLE ROCK STATE PARK, JULY,2011 saturday was a fun day. we spent the day scouting out new campgrounds to take the camper... we had been to Table Rock and Devil's Fork before.. but we had not seen the camping areas... we are looking forward to going back here in a few weeks camping....

A NICE VIEW

the beach area at Devil's Fork.. we had a fun time here just relaxing and snacking..lol

a pretty waterfall

Sassafrass Mountain :))

PEDAL, PEDAL

Drake got a new bike for his 8th birthday.. he was really wanting to learn how to ride it.... so, he had one of the best instructors around.. my daddy...LOL I can remember how he and my mama taught me how to ride a bike... basically, i did not have a choice, but to take off pedalling....or else...:)))drake and pawpaw hoot starting to learn..

daddy walking along side of drake,, teaching him about balance,and pedaling...

at this point, they both had just about had it....with each other..drake was getting that speech i got..years ago.....'' if u don't get back on those pedals..and keep pedaling...''..lol ''don't put your feet down anymore.!!!!!''

looking at the handlebars.....

he finally learned..and my daddy's patience got thinner and thinner... but now, drake will always have the memories of pawpaw hoot teaching him how to ride a bike... and he rides it everywhere, now...

Birthday Bashes

birthday buddy, bigeye

yummo cake

HAHA!! we celebrated birthdays over the past few weeks.... My nephew, Ethan, better known as ''BIGEYE'' celebrated his 21st birthday..wow,he is all grown up,where has the time went to?? more to come on that...lol

and my bro-in-law, scott, he turned 20+20+5 +1+1+110/........... haha cant count it all...jk

BIRTHDAY BOY..DRAKE ,WITH GRAN AND PAWPAW..HE TURNED EIGHT !!

US AT APPLEBEES FOR DRAKE'S BIRTHDAY

HERE IS JABBO WITH HIS''JUG''

DRAKE'S LITTLE CAKE.. HE LOVED THE BLUE ROSES

BRO AND SIS...<3


WE HAD A GOOD TIME CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAYS.....

Knee Deep

Being ''knee deep'' in the water somewhere is one of '' my favorite things''.... We had a great time on our annual family beach vacation this year... the only thing, is that it was not ''complete''... my sis, angie, and her family did not get to make it.. they had to go to ballgames in NC, because my nephew, ben, had made ALLSTARS..(yea, ben).. but we had a great time... we enjoyed some yummy food, great beach weather..and some good shopping... and just plain relaxing..
a hottt day on the beach, and I was knee deep this day for sure..

Drake swimming

buddy and me <3

niece and me..we were sooo hungry.. waiting on our food

just had a greasy hamburger...:)

love them!!!

love, love,love

we rode the new skywheel... it is the second, largest, ferris wheel in the US

So tranquil and quiet this morning = PEACEFUL


WE had a blast, but missed my other sis, and her family like crazy..... but it was still great to get away!!!

bountiful blessings----Pear preserves

We have a pear tree in our yard. It has only produced a few pears, in years previously, but this year, was a year that the tree was loaded. We here at'' the simple gift'' tend to get excited when we have fresh produce to work with... so, you know what that means..... PEAR PRESERVES..:))

mama and I got together to make some delicious pear preserves.. i thought the pears were very pretty.

here are the pears cooking on the stove...

It takes ALL day to do this.. but it is sooo worth it...

after cooking with the sugar..putting them in HOTTTT jars..

they are a pretty color,some are darker than others..

the pretty display my mama did...

now, all we need is some HOTTTT, HOMEMADE, buttered biscuits...and we are good to go..

we had a blast, and it always good to get together with mama to do stuff like this in the kitchen..memories that I will have forever....<3