The House That Babe Built

One of the things Richie has said he wants to do before his time comes is to visit all of the Major League Baseball stadiums. Of course, he's been to Turner Field, home of our Atlanta Braves. He has also been to Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles Angels (formally known as Anaheim Angels), and the San Diego Padres old stadium, all of which are in California. After church Sunday, Richie and one of his friends, Casey, were talking about Casey's upcoming business trip to New Jersey. Casey's family is from the New York area and Casey has been a long time FANatic of the Yankees. He used to spend his summers in N.Y. Casey mentioned to Richie that he and his cousin were going to try to catch a game while he was there and that Richie should try to fly up to watch the game with them. After many phone conversations and flight help from Casey's dad, Richie set off for N.Y. Tuesday morning. His flight left at 6:15am. He rented a car to drive (YES, he actually drove in N.Y.) from the airport to Casey's hotel in New Jersey. He got a little lost in Queens. He also said that their road construction was horrible and makes Atlanta look great. I am so glad he got the opportunity to go to Yankee stadium. This was one of the stadiums he wanted to visit the most and was bummed when he found out it would be torn down after this season and he wouldn't get to visit. Yankee stadium is one of the oldest and most historical ball parks of our time. After all, it is "the house that Babe built". Check out the pics below of Yankee stadium.

These two pictures were of Monument Park. This is where they have history of some of the Yankee's greatest baseball players such as Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Don Mattingly, and many more.

Future Pilot

As many of you already know, Richie's dad has been taking flying lessons at the Oxford Airport for some time now. He has actually flown solo a few times. After his first solo flight they cut out the back of his shirt to hang up on the board. We laughed when he first told us about the lessons. Richie asked him if was working on a bucket list. By the way, if you haven't seen the movie, The Bucket List, go rent it. It was very good. Get ready to cry a little though. Well, Ted has really gotten into this flying thing. He even has a simulator for the computer so he can "fly" when he's not "flying". He tried to teach the grand boys this weekend but I heard he doesn't have a lot of patience! While we were over there tonight for hot wings, he decided he would let Corbin fly with him. Corbin didn't have much success on his own. I think Paw Paw said he crashed a couple of times and had a pretty bumpy landing. I happened to have my camera with me so I was able to get a pic of the two flying.

Paw Paw and Corbin flying using the simulator.

Our Weekend Away

Richie planned a post anniversary/pre-birthday weekend getaway for the two of us. We went to Helen, Georgia this past weekend and we had a great time. Our cabin was about 7 miles outside of Helen in Cleveland, GA. The cabin was really nice. Our bedroom had a jacuzzi tub by a big window overlooking the mountains. Downstairs had a separate living room area with a pool table and a hot tub on the deck. Saturday we slept in, which we rarely get to do with 3 boys in the house, and then we went tubing down the Chattahoochee River. If you have never been tubing you should try it sometime. It is very relaxing. Our friends Britt and April ended up driving up early Saturday afternoon on whim and staying with us Saturday night. The couch downstairs had a pull out bed so there was plenty of room. We went out to eat and then went to a Margarita bar on the river and listened to a live band. They played lots of old rock and country hits. Several of the songs they played reminded me of my dad. I can remember him always playing his guitar and singing "Family Tradition", "You Never Even Called Me By My Name", and "A Country Boy Can Survive." OK, a little off subject there. We also went to Hansel and Gretel's candy shop. I bought some freshly made pralines. They were really good but not as good as River Street Sweets. (Thanks to Tonya Coe for introducing me to pralines a couple of years ago at the beach. I am now completely addicted to them. And, they do not go well with dieting.) I also did something that I thought I would never have the courage to do. I got a tattoo. Yes, I know it doesn't sound like something I would do, but I did. I guess I needed to be a little adventurous. It's above my right ankle and it is an outline of a pink heart with the number 14. The number 14 has some sentimental value for Richie and I and our family. On Sunday we got up and went to a pottery painting place. Richie and I painted a plate to display in our kitchen. Once they fire it they will ship it to us. I'll take a pic of it when we get it and post it later. I thought we did a great job. We also visited the Nora Mills Granary. They still actually stone grind grains using water powered by the Chattahoochee to make grits, cornmeal, flour, and waffle and pancake mixes. They even had samples to try. Of course we brought some things back with us. In all, we had a great time and can't wait to do it again.

Richie and I standing on the front porch of the cabin.

This was the view from the upper deck outside of our bedroom.

This was a sign we passed on the road. I just thought it was pretty funny.

This is a sign outside of the Nudist Park that Richie and I visited. JUST KIDDING! We passed this sign, which was right around the corner from our cabin. We weren't sure what it was. Richie thought it may have been some type of park with animals. I am so glad we decided to look it up on the Internet BEFORE just venturing over to find out. For those who don't know -- AANR stands for American Association for Nude Recreation.

Fishing, Fireworks, & Fun!

We spent Thursday through Sunday at the Cleary Compound on Jackson Lake. We had such a good time. We played Ladder Ball and Corn Hole in the evenings. The boys enjoyed riding Paw Paw's "fast" boat, fishing, and riding in the paddle boats. Tucker was only sweating swimming in Benji's pool. He is so excited that he knows how to swim without his floaties. He is such a big boy now, or at least he thinks he is. Friday our friends Lance and LaTrelle and their two kids, Will and Chan, came up on their boat for a little visit. The boys swam in the lake and rode the paddle boats. Friday night we took the boys out on the boat to watch the different firework shows going on from different houses on the lake. Everywhere we turned our heads we saw fireworks. Corbin was only interested in helping daddy drive the boat. Saturday afternoon, once the storms blew over, Paw Paw took the boys out on his boat for a little fishing. Nolan is finally baiting his on hook and touching the fish. He is making some strides in trying new things. Tracy, Brittany, and I went out on the paddle boats to where Richie and Ken were fishing. Brittany and I decided to fish a little. I think I spent more time retrieving my line from the bushes near the bank and casting the line than I did actually catching fish. I did manage to catch 3 or 4 small ones. In all, we had a wonderful time. The boys really enjoy going to the lake house and are constantly asking when we can go back.

Some of the fireworks we saw from the deck of the lake house.

Tucker, Brayden, and Nolan getting ready to ride the boat.

Brittany and Tucker

Corbin helping daddy drive the boat.

While it was raining, the boys decided to "float" in the house.

Corbin's Busy Week

It is amazing to see how quickly children pick on things, especially when they have older siblings. Corbin has been very busy this past week. He ate with a fork for the first time when we were at the beach. I managed to get a picture, but I don't think the quality of the picture was great so I took another one the other day. He also climbed the stairs in our house this week. We had an ottoman blocking the stairs but he scaled it this week and made it all the way to the top. Luckily his brothers were right behind him. He was so proud of himself. He came to the balcony and peered down and grinned at his daddy and I. Richie has maneuvered the ottoman in a different position and Corbin hasn't figured out how to get over it yet. We'll see how long it takes him. Corbin also climbed up on the wooden rocking horse and rode it this week. Richie's father, Ted, made a wooden rocking horse sometime after Nolan was born. So far, it has weathered Nolan, Brayden, and Tucker. Now it's time for Corbin. Gloria and Ted actually saw him do it his first time and Gloria was able to get pictures. Yesterday, while the boys were swimming, Corbin and I went up on the porch and he spent about 20 minutes getting on the horse, rocking, and then getting back off. He has had a blast on that rocking horse.

This is the picture of Corbin at the beach trying to use a real fork.

Here's Corbin using his own little fork eating a Kid Cuisine meal or

as Tucker calls them, "My Cusine".

Yeah, I finally made it to the top! Mommy and daddy are really going to be busy now!!

Here I go, climbing up.

Rocking Away!

Okay, I'm done for now!