Weekend Trip

A couple weekends ago, we went on a 2-day weekend trip to Fort Payne, AL to go hiking at the Desoto State park. We had been wanting to do something as a family before Cooper starts school in August and this was the only time Blaine had off before then. So Saturday morning we got up early and started on our way thinking we would be there around noon. Well things never go as planned and we got stuck in two traffic jams for 4 hours. We ended up getting to Fort Payne around 7:00 that night. But everyone was a happy camper about the traffic and we just tried to enjoy the car ride as much as possible. We stopped numberous times to get ice cream, candy, chips, drinks and for bathroom stops. When we finally made it to the hotel everyone was more than ready to stretch their legs. First on the kids agenda, try out the indoor pool! They had so much fun being able to swim with their daddy. All summer it has only been me at the pool with them, since Blaine hasn't had much time off. We then ate dinner and welcomed an early night of sleep. We woke up bright and early ate breakfast and headed off the Desoto State Park to start the day off on a hiking trail. Blaine loves to hike but we haven't been able to do it in years, so Blaine was VERY EXCITED that the kids were finally old enough to enjoy hiking with him. We choose a 3 mile trail that took you slightly up into the mountains and headed out. On our hike we saw a snake, (I stepped over it and so did Cooper, but the ever observant Blaine saw it and waited for it to slither off the trail), squirrels, deer, birds, a rabbit, turtles and too many insects to count! Cooper and Carter were great on the hike. They loved it and couldn't get enough of the outdoors. When we finally made it to the end of the trail, they had a little camp store that sold ice cream and nic-nacs, so we let the boys get some ice-cream and pick out a play snake and turtle. We finished off the day by taking the scenic drive trail that overlooked the Little Canyon and waterfall. It was then time to head on our way back home. The drive home went just as planned and we made it home around 9:00 that night. It really was alot of fun and Blaine already has another trip planned.

Stuck in traffic jams for 4 hours.

Once out of the traffic jam we had to stop for ice cream!

Carter was a pretty good traveler, most of the way.

After being on the road for 9 hours(should have only taken 5) everyone was HAPPY to be at the hotel.

Cooper being crazy while getting ready to try out the pool at the hotel.

loving the indoor pool.

Carter wouldn't let his daddy out of his sight.

Next day, ready to begin our hike. (Did I mention it was only 70 degrees outside. It was actually a bit chilly. Perfect hiking weather.)

Cooper was so excited, he kept saying "We are going on an adventure!"

Me inside a small cave. Blaine didn't think I would do it since it had lots of spiderwebs, but I put on my brave face and did it just to show him! Who cares that I screamed 3-4 times before taking this picture! :)

We finally let Carter stretch his legs and he decided he could climb just like Cooper. He was so proud of himself when he made it to the top with daddy and Cooper.

Snack break!
Cooper leading the way!

Getting sleepy hanging out on daddy's back.Stone quarry, it is grown up alot,but this is where the workers chisled out the stone to build most of the structures at the state park. You can still see tools left there.

Cool rocks

Me with the hiking stick that I laughed at Blaine for buying. Guess who ended up loving it and using it for the whole hike? Yep, ME!!

More cool rocks

Sign we saw at the park. Blalock is my maiden name.

Overlooking Little Canyon. There is a waterfall to your Right, but I couldn't get a good picture of it. You can hike down to the waterfall and play in it, but Carter was asleep at this point and we were all worn out.

Ice cream after the hike! It was well deserved. Cooper hiked the whole 3 miles and never complained!

Am I the meanest mom ever?

Just wanted to vent for a second. Cooper usually loves going to the pool. I have been letting him swim with floaties and go at his own pace all summer. But summer is almost up and he is still afraid every time I make him take his floaties off. He has done it 4- 5 times and he has actually swam to me and back to the steps, so I know he can do it. But to get him to the point of doing it is like pulling teeth. He cries for 30 minutes until I literally force him to do it. Am I being mean by forcing him to learn to swim? If this is not making any sense you need to understand Cooper's personality. He hates trying anything new and scary. He has meltdowns when he thinks he will have to do something he does not like or has not done before. He has done this since he was little. I have always had to push him to do new or scary things with him fighting the whole way. But in the end he usually ends up loving it after the whole ordeal is over. On top of his normal fears, he has had a few pool incidents that have reinforced the whole scary pool thing. So should I fight this or should I just let it go until next year. Lately he has not wanted to go to the pool all together, making up excuses why to not go to the pool. I don't want this because he really has a good time at the pool when I don't force him to swim. So opinions please, should I be the mean mom or should I just let this one slide till next year? There is nothing wrong with a 5 year not knowing how to swim right?

Catching up!

After the Fourth we had a whirlwind of a couple of weeks, that hasn't stopped until today! I finally feel like I can sit down and breath for a few minutes.

The day after we returned home from my parents house, Blaine's mom, sister, Granny and Uncle Richard came and stayed for a few days. I always LOVE when they come down and visit. We went out to eat, shopped a bit, went to a small aquarium on Dauphin Island and went to the beach! I guess we were so busy having fun that I never pulled the camera out, so I don't have any pictures to show.

After Blaine's family left on Saturday my cousin Dana and her family came to visit for the day. She had a baby girl(Rylie) about 8 weeks ago, so the boys were very excited to get to hold and play with her. Plus Cooper loves Dana's husband (Tony) because he likes to build Castles with him. Carter was so cute around Rylie he kept saying "Baby sad" or "Baby night, night". He even tried to give the baby her pacifier. Carter officially dosen't see himself as a baby and recognizes other babies as being smaller than him. :)

Then on Monday Cooper did a week long program at school to help introduce him to Kindergarten. He LOVED it and came home every day exausted, but wanting to talk about everything! Carter on the other hand didn't like it so much. He cried everytime we dropped Cooper off and moped around the house looking for Cooper until it was time to pick him up. By the second day of this I was looking for things to entertain Carter with. We ended up going out to various places just enjoying the time with the two of us together! One day I took him to an old McDonalds that still had the outside playground with the old McDonalds characters. It brought out alot of memories when I was little playing at McDonalds. You just don't find many of the old school McDonalds playplaces left.
Cooper showing off some of his school work.
Wondering what this crazy man is all about?
He did LOVE his hair though! He didn't like the fry guy watching over his shoulder as he ate. :)

Anyway, then that weekend we went on a whirlwind of a vacation to Fort Payne AL, but that post will have to wait till later... :)

Gigi and Papa's house

We love hanging out at my parents house! For the Fourth of July we got to stay a week and the kids throughly enjoyed spending time with their grandparents and cousins along with swimming in the pool, eating endless watermelon, riding on the chuck wagon and hanging out at the lake. We also got to attend the Blalock reunion which was fun because we got to see people we hadn't seen in a long time. Carter for the first time remembers and asks for Gigi and Papa after spending a week at their house! We had a blast and just wanted to share some pictures of our time there. Blalock Reunion

Getting ready for the fourth of July Parade.

All dressed up for the parade!

Riding the Chuck Wagon. (Carter was addicted to the Chuck Wagon, he cried everytime anyone got on without him. Finally he decided if he sat on it long enough someone would eventually come along and give him a ride.)

Feeding the neighbors horses with Gigi.

Papa's lake

Swimming in Gigi's pool.

Enjoying some Yummy Watermelon!

Taking a drink break at the pool.

Papa consoling one very sad little boy.

Carter found a turtle. The kids were fascinated.

Happy Fourth Of July!!!

Everybody have a fun and safe Fourth of July!!!