Take me (and the family) out to the ball game, take me out to the crowd---

 

Look who showed up in the middle of the game!

 

 

Someone thought it’d be a good idea to give our family (complete with toddler) mini baseball bats.

 

What a beautiful night!

I must be crazy OR My “vacation”

So my Uncle bought a cabin in the Mountains.  Or so I was told.    Grandma wanted to go visit Uncle Rich’s new cabin and I said “Sure, I’ll take you”. 

Now, I’m not saying I believe in destiny or in a lot of “hippie dippy stuff” (as some would say) but there are times when even I say to myself “I think the universe is trying to tell us something”. 

We intended on leaving Wednesday and coming home Sunday.  There were issues with scheduling and it was moved back Thursday-Monday.  NBD, right?  It’s cool.  (#1)

Then Grandma came down with Shingles.   Hmmm, it’s not a bad case, so the trip is still on.  (#2)

Then her car (the method of travel) needed a transmission rebuilt.  (#3)

Then we had issues renting a car.  (#4)

Then the rental car we had----a mere 2 1/2 hours on the road--- had the check engine light come on. (#5)

…………

 

Ok, I hear you Universe! 




That being said, being either stupid or just Pierce’s (or perhaps they are one in the same), we continued on our journey and I’m glad we did.  We had a great time visiting with friends and family, seeing the new place and the country around there and having our fair share of laughs along the way.  Some pictorial highlights:

 

 

Pictures from Newfound Gap (near Gatlinburg)

 

 

Pictures from the river near where we picnicked.

 

Pictures from Luke’s first time eating a whole wedge of watermelon.  The last picture is my favorite.  He was saying “Mama wahwahlemon? More?”

 

Bald River Falls

 

 

The view from Rich’s back porch and the view on the front. 

Already adapting to the mountain laid back lifestyle. 

Some of my latest photography

 

 

Dear Internetz, a rant

I love chicken. 

I mean, I REALLY love chicken.  Wings, breasts, strips, tenders even the dang fingers.   I love chicken.

New wing place opens in town, I dance a little.  Quaker Steak and Lube, they say.  Yummy they say.  We’ll see, I say.

Some friends set a date, we go….we waited over an hour and a half for a table.  Oh well, small change when dealing with “BEST WINGS {in the} USA!!!!!” I thought.  We waited another hour. Then they arrived.

 

And they stunk. 

 

Oh well, bad luck, eh? 

 

About a month later, a different friend wants to go.  We decide to give them another try. 

This time, the wait for the table?  An hour.  Wait for food?  An hour and a half.  The verdict:  Meh.

 

This morning I see in my email the restaurant of the month (for Waiter on the Way) is Quaker Steak and Lube, this means free delivery.  Cleaning the house combined with 100+ degree heat, we decide to order out.  An hour later, we get a phone call.  Waiter on the Way tells me that they (being the restaurant) lost our order. 

:  Sigh  :

Finally (2 hours later) the driver arrives, apologizing profusely.  I tell him that I have no doubt it was QSL’s fault as I’ve had nothing but disappointment from them and have never had a problem from WOTW. 

The food?  Mediocre, as usual. 

 

The verdict:  Avoid the Lube!

It was like nailing jello to a tree….

So, I’m a little behind here, but last Wednesday (a week before the 4th) we went to the zoo with some friends for the members only late night.  Awesome fun times.  Let the pictures commence. 

Riding the Carousel

Kid Jail….er…..The Kids Tree House

 

 

And finally my favorite part of the trip?  Trying to get all three kids (4, 3 and almost 2) into the pouch.

And technically, our only success: