Dance, Dance, Dance

Ainslee made the Jazz competition team at UCDC this year. She is on what they call the "Mini's". That is the youngest group. They had practice this summer culminating in an intensive with guest teachers and a showcase at the end:








They had formal pictures taken today and I got a few for myself:





The Minis Team:



All the Competition teams: the minis, majors, megas, juniors and seniors:

Yurts and Whitewater Rafting

This week is spring break and the kids wanted something to do. I thought about camping but Case didn't want to go since he just went this past weekend with the Boy Scouts. I have been interested in Yurts for quite some time and found this yurt village attached to a rafting company. It was a mix between camping and staying in a hotel. The yurt was very comfortable with a queen size bed and a futon. It had various creature comforts like a mini fridge, an alarm clock, and a radio/cd player. All linens were provided with towels refreshed daily if needed. There was a typical campsite grill available for cooking with a picnic table to eat on and a fire ring for the quintessential campfire and smores. The bathroom facilities were communal but very nice with individual rooms just like home. Each one had a shower, sink and toilet with towels and mini soap and mini shampoo provided in each one. There was a hot tub, which the kids enjoyed thoroughly, and a laundry facility with a kitchen sink and dish drain for washing dishes. They even provided the dish soap and towels there.
The yurt itself was very similar to staying in a luxury tent. You were inside and safe from the elements but heard all the outside sounds... the rain on the roof, the crickets and frogs, the birds chirping, the wind blowing, the waterfall...
It was really wonderful. Soothing and peaceful. The yurt would close completely from the elements or you could open the dome and windows for a nice breeze. I LOVED it! The kids like it too and want to go back. Ainslee said she wants to have her birthday there!
We went whitewater rafting on the Nantahala on Tuesday. We decided to go in two man duckies without a guide. Ainslee and I were in one and Case and Amelia were in one. The water stays at a cold 50 degrees year round on the Nantahala so with the sometimes cool spring weather we also has wet-suits for the ride. They helped a LOT! Ainslee started out in fron , but didn't like to be splashed that much, so we switched. After that she enjoyed it for a while and decided we were heading down the Mississippi to California. Then we sang some rounds of Row Row Row your Boat. Case and Amelia fell out once but got to shore and got back in and did great. Case got to shore right away but Amelia went downstream some. However, she did exactly as she was supposed to and floated feet and head up with feet downstream. YEAH Amelia! It's good to know your kids can follow directions when it counts. They all did great and had a... well, you decide if they had a good time. Here are some pictures of our adventure:




After rafting everyone was hungry and a guide family ( yes, a whole family- mom, dad, and 6 yr old daughter) recommended The River's End down by Nanatahala Outdoor Center. While we were there we discovered the Appalachain Trail crosses right there! We ambled and found the actual trail and Amelia has decided she wants to do a thru-hike when she graduates from high school. She says she wants to start training now. We stopped by The Frugal Backpacker and got her some hiking boots because her converse just aren't going to work (hehe). I told her I think it is a fantastic idea and I would support her in it, but she had to do the leg work. She requested to go to the library when we came home to start her research, so we did. We will see what happens...

Spring is in the air...

and I planted STRAWBERRIES!!!!! I have ten plants in containers right now. We will see how they do with my not so green thumb. I am getting better and if I can have the time to tend to them, I think I can do pretty well.

Random Pictures- yes, they are over many years...

Playing in the leaf pile in fall:




Carving Pumpkins for Halloween at the cabins in NC/VA:




Our Papa who passed away this past summer:

Our Gingerbread house from one Christmas( I never realized how much gingerbread was like bread and not cookies. We made it from scratch and had to kneed and kneed and kneed...):


A really old Cemetery in Coastal Georgia ( yes, we like to visit cemeteries and this was was really beautiful):



Georgia Aquarium (one of the many visits):


Jimmy Carter Library in Atlanta:



Centennial Park In Atlanta:


At the Children's Museum in Atlanta:

A little bird and a fascinated little girl:

Amelia and Ainslee Ice skating:

Case in his woodworking class. He made pens with a Lathe. They were very nice!:
Ainslee's birthday (3rd) at Grannie-Nannie's house:


Amelia at the Cheetah Girls Concert:

The Model and the Woman behind the camera:


Case and his target he made for Archery:

Case and his best friend, Zack:

Amelia's hairstyle for Ainslee:


Brian And Amelia ready for the Father Daughter Dance for Girl Scouts:

One of our Hikes to Twin Falls (and one of my favorite pictures of Amelia!):



Playing at a rest stop on one of our many trips:


At grandfather Mountain:



At Edventure in Columbia:




Just cause it's so cute!

The renaissance Festival in NC. They love going to this.


Amelia in girl scouts