Father/Son Campout

On Friday night, Mitch and Alec drove up to our church camp property for a father/son campout with several other families. It was very rainy on Friday and it continued that night. But my troopers made a good night of it anyway. Our camp has a big pavillion and that is where they played while it was raining. Alec had a whole lot of fun.

Alec looks happy in spite of the rain.

Playing games with each other.

Alec blows up a balloon for a game.

Playing flag football is a new enjoyment for Alec. He hasn't learned all about it yet, but we are working on it. Fortunately for Alec, his mama had an older brother who taught her how to play football. I can still throw a spiral and still kick pretty good. My favorite thing to do in younger days was to punt bare-footed. My kids did not know that about me until two weeks ago. I must say that I showed out just a little ( amazingly they were pretty impressed ).

This was some log rolling, knot tying, running game. Mitch did not explain all the rules.

While the boys were doing male bonding type stuff, Kirsten and I spent Friday night going out to eat at Country Inn, Too (in Ripley) and then Claire spent the night. The next morning Kirsten and I got up early, drove to Tupelo, then back to New Albany to meet up with our Coach and some other girls to run. Unfortunately, I did not call and confirm that we were coming and they started running at 9:30 instead of 10:00. Kirsten did not mind at all, because she got to meet at the coffee shop for a coffee and conversation with the girls and didn't even have to run a step.

After leaving New Albany, we headed to the church camp for a family get-together with several families from our church and a church in Memphis. We had a good time eating and visiting. The kids played some games and the dads tried to prove that they could still play basketball like they did when they were younger. We left around 3:00 and headed to my in-laws to visit for a few minutes. It has been awhile since we had seen them and we had a good visit. Next, we headed to Falkner for a cookout at our friends' house. There were a lot of people there and we had a great time until we tried to leave. It was very wet and we got stuck and had to be pushed out of the mud. I felt sorry for the men who came to help push me out, because I have a full size conversion van instead of a little car. They graciously pushed me out anyway and in so doing got a great workout. We were not the only ones that got stuck and they got the chance to serve many others while pushing every one's cars out of the mud. It was a very full day, but also one filled with a lot of fun and fellowship.

Pool Party

To complete a very busy day, we went to a pool party with the people from my work,

I am so glad that today is over. We had a marvelous time at the two races and the two parties, but I think it is time for bed. The kids are tired after running hard, eating lots, playing hard and swimming hard.

Party with the Spartans

After the races, we had a get together at one of the Spartans' house. We had an awesome time of fellowship and food. Our team is so amazing and all of our families get along so well with each other. It is a special bond that we have all formed with each other, and this day was a good one.

The kids receive instructions on how the food line would work. We fed somewhere between 115 and 125 people.

Playing capture the flag is a favorite game for the runners.

The prisoners are locked up in this old barn.

Alec's team is on the lookout for the other team.

Kirsten is up in the second story of the barn.

Now she climbs a tree.

Alec looks for spies.

Race for the Unborn 5K

Also, this morning, Kirsten ran with most of the Spartans -- the Race for the Unborn. This race was put together at the last minute to raise money for the Personhood Amendment cause.

Mr. Steve speaks to a TV crew about the Personhood Amendment and the 5K race.

Claire, Hannah, and Kirsten before the race.

Coach Heather does an amazing job every week coaching our kids to run their best. She also went the extra mile to put this race together. We are so thankful for her dedication to our team, to the running community, and to the unborn who cannot speak for themselves.

The start of the race.

Kirsten runs a very good 5K (this course is a difficult one) and finished in 28:20, I think.

Race for the Cure 5K

This morning, Alec ran the Race for the Cure 5K. He ran in honor of Pam G. from Texas, who is a cancer survivor and a dear friend of ours.

He got to the first mile mark in a fast time.

Here he is coming in to the finish line. He had hoped to finish in around 24 minutes. He did not quite make it that fast, however.

His official finish time was 26:24, which was good enough for 1st place in his age division.

This crazy colored poodle was present at the race.

This is Alec receiving his trophy.

All of the Spartans who raced stood together for a group shot.

SHAVING CREAM WAR

Coach gives last minute instructions for their short run before the shaving cream war.

The kids were so excited to get their practice out of the way so the real fun could begin.

Olivia is silly.

At the beginning of the shaving cream war, the kids played freeze tag and no one got too covered in shaving cream...yet.

This is their favorite practice all year.

So many targets, so little shaving cream.

Running has never been so much fun.

Almost time for the free-for-all.

Coach Heather is such a good sport. She always gets in the middle of the action.

She loves to tag "her kids" and all 62 of "her kids" love to tag her.

Now they are getting messy.

Getting Forrest is a Spartan tradition.

Catherine and Becky are having fun.

Time for a group photo.

Jonathan has the tallest mohawk this year.

Does anyone recognize these kids?

Varsity boys.

Fun at Veterans' Park in Tupelo

Before the start of our annual shaving cream war, we had some play time at Veterans' Park.

Kirsten loves to play on playgrounds, especially with Martha and Margaret.

Monkeys on the monkey bars.

One of the few pictures of Margaret -- she won't allow many pictures to be taken of her.

Kirsten slides down the curvy slide.

Martha catches a quick "cat nap" before practice.

Kirsten and Martha high on the bars.

Silly Martha.

Molly - the true monkey - is always climbing on something.

Claire spent most of her free time swinging on the swings.

Lots of energy - lots of kids.

Alec loves to swing.

Pumpkin Patch

On Tuesday, a group of Spartans gathered at the Pumpkin Patch in Blue Mountain. The girls and the boys loved the jumping houses and the inflatable slides. Kirsten slides down the big slide.

Alec, Macain, and Parker slide down the slide.

Kirsten, Margaret, and Martha ride on the big tricycles in the "Haytona 500 Speedway."

Alec takes a turn at using the water pump.

Looking cute with the pumpkins.

The girls (and Preston) are ready to ride the wagon to the pumpkin patch to select their pumpkins.

The boys (and Chance the puppy) are just as excited as the girls.

Alec crawls out of the hay maze.

Kirsten found her pumpkin quickly.

Alec also picks out a winner.

The whole gang that visited the pumpkin patch. We had a great time. It was not long enough, but we had to rush off to get to XC practice.

HAPPY FALL

I wish I could take credit for these fabulous pumpkins, but I must credit the zoo for this display of fall beauty and creativity. Happy Fall to Everyone!!

Ballard Park 5K

We had to leave this morning at 6:15 (and it was very cold) to drive to Tupelo for Alec to run a 5K. Kirsten opted not to run this one. Coach Heather gives the runners last minute instructions.

The race was well attended but we were a big part of it.

Alec comes through the chute to finish in 27:00. It was not his best time, but this is one of the more difficult courses.

A group of girls huddled up to stay warm while we waited for the awards.

Catherine climbed a tree -- maybe to see if it was warmer up there.

These boys all had a good time.

It was very cold while waiting, but the girls still had a blast.

Tyler -- 1st, Scott -- 2nd, and Alec -- 3rd. Way to go Spartans!!

These were just a few of the Spartans who won shirts -- some had already left.

Alec loves his new shirt.

The Memphis Zoo -- Gotta Love It!

On Friday, my kids and I tagged along with another homeschool group for a field trip to the Memphis Zoo. I love all zoo animals. If we lived closer to Memphis, we would have a family pass and go several times a year. It has been almost 2 years since we went to the zoo and we had a blast. I took over 400 pictures (just having fun with my camera and long zoom lens). I also let the kids have my smaller camera and together they took almost 300 pictures. They did a really good job and captured some great pictures.

The cheetah has always been one of my favorite animals -- so sleek and fast.

Kirsten's favorite animals are TIGERS, no matter the breed.

This gorilla is contemplating! He looks like he wants to make a break for the fence.

Fall picture time.

These wolves are part of the zoo's new Teton Trek exhibit. It was truly AWESOME! They did not have too many animals in it yet, but they are working on it still.

These bears are the main focus of this new exhibit. They played in the water almost the whole time we watched them. They are amazing.

They were playfully attacking each other and learning survival skills.

Kirsten and Alec sit on rocks by the beautiful fountain in front of the Lodge-like building.

Martha, AnnaBeth, and Kirsten -- best friends forever.

The girls strike a pose.

This animal (I forget what is is called) is pretty hungry to stand on its tiptoes to reach over the wall.

This colorful toucan makes for a great picture.

I always enjoy watching the pandas.

This momma monkey kept the baby behind her or hanging in front of her the whole time. It was so CUTE!

Imagine how much hay five giraffes can eat. Giraffes are so interesting to watch.

The fountain turns into a geyser at certain times -- so beautiful.

The BALD EAGLE -- so majestic! It makes my American heart swell with patriotism.

We loved the sea lion show.

Temper Tantrum Mom Video

You have got to watch this video. My brother posted it to his Facebook account, my mother showed it to me through her facebook account, and I belly laughed after watching it each time. The little boy's face is priceless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WwGtzAacVA

Walnut Firehouse 5K

A few of our Spartan team showed up at the Walnut Firehouse 5K this morning.

The start of the race.

Brandon finishes his fastest 5K ever -- 22:20 (I think, for the official time).

Alec did his fastest time of the season and had a really good run -- 25:15. We are proud of his determination.

Alec missed 3rd place by around 10 seconds. He was pretty disappointed, especially since his time was so good. He thinks he would have gotten a trophy if he had not slipped and fallen on a slick bridge.

Kirsten nears the finish line.

This was her fastest time EVER!! She got first place in her age group. We are so proud of her.

The Spartans have such a good team spirit. They all went to finish with Maggie to encourage her to the finish line.

Kirsten and Sarah

Sarah won 2nd place in her age group and Kirsten won 1st.

The Spartans made a very good showing at this race.

Brandon finished 1st in his age group with a time of 22:20; Ben finished 2nd in his age group with a time of 22:58; Alec finished 4th in his age group by just seconds, with a time of 25:15; Ryan finished with a personal best time of 25:35; Kirsten finished with a personal best time of 26:40 and placed 1st; Sarah received a 2nd place trophy; Claire finished with a personal best of 28:16; and Caroline finished with a 3rd place trophy. Jonah and Richard also had their personal best finishes and Maggie ran well too.

I did not get everybody's official times or placing yet. I hope to have that information soon.

Female 10-14 winners.

God's Wondrous Handiwork!!!

Have you ever just sat and pondered the glorious handiwork of God? He is so majestic in all things, but even the little things speak to the marvelous wisdom He shows in His creation.

Each little shoot on this little cedar tree is so perfectly made. Why did God show such creativity in even the little things -- the things that we just walk on by and not notice? He did it to show His perfection in who He is.

Even the blades of grass (or weeds) as we call them, are so beautiful when you just examine them closely. The lakeside would be lacking in something without the grass that grows along its banks. It truly is the little things that magnify the glory of God.

These are just individual blades of grass, but look how unique each blade is.

I have never seen a weed like this one. I almost walked right on past it, but then I bent down and used my camera lens to truly bring out its individual personality.

Just look at the way this weed is put together. It is truly amazing that God put so much effort into designing the weeds that we take for granted.

These daisy-like weeds are glorious.

Even the mushrooms are special. They are fungi and cannot grow without feeding on decaying material around them. Who designed such a plant? Only a great God who does all things well!!

If God put so much effort into these weeds and fungi, how much more did He put into humans? We are created in the image of God! We often take our lives for granted, but we were CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD! WOW!!

Tippah Lake Wars, Episode IV

Another beautiful day led us to Tippah Lake. We took a picnic lunch, the scooters, some legos, some bionicles, and of course, light sabers.

Here the kids are each brandishing their weapon for a battle.

Strike a pose!!

Trying to cross the "river."

Preston, go under the light sabers.

Racing their scooters.

Alec looking cute!!

Here they are -- doing what Brandon called, "Booty Drag Racing." You just got to LOL on that one.

Alec is in the lead for this one.