The beat goes on but the lyrics sure don't...

Driving home from the pool this evening, F busts out from the back of the van, "I love rock and roll, put another dime in the juke box baby!"

Sitting next to him, G sings, "I love rock and roll, put another dime in the juice box baby!"

S, squeaks from his middle row seat, sitting all alone, "I love rock and roll, apple juice, chocolate milk!"

Rock and Roll is dead.

We killed it.

Fantasy Land

That's where my boys have lived for the past week as Gma and Gpa Mac were in town. Our schedule went something like this:

WEDS they arrive and we dragged them off to pack meeting where F earned his Bear Award.
TH tubing down the New River. The rain came, the wind came, the geese came, but then the rainbow came.
FRI Jack had to attend and present at Youth Conference so GPA went along, while we took GMA to the pool. When they got home, we got Gma Evans to come over and watch theboys while the adults went to dinner at Oddfellas and then we hit the Floyd Friday Night Jamboree.

SAT brought a rain day outing for the boys with GMA and GPA (they were suppose to go to Claytor Lake but the rain would'nt let up...and after tubing in the rain, the lake in the rain was a bit too over the top, even for the Child Whisperers--codename for Gma and Gpa). After the clouds cleared, we went in to Blacksburg for the annual street fair, Steppin' Out, for good music, good food, and good vibes. SUN was church where the Bishops Mac Sr and Jr were buzzing around and then we snuck out 15 minutes early (to avoid the "Bishop--can I talk to you for a quick second...?") and headed to Pigeon Forge. That night in the hotel, they read their letter.
MON. Why Pigeon Forge you ask? Duh. DOLLYWOOD! We opened and closed the park. Too many pics to post all the good times, so look for the video clip follow up post.
TUES was finally clear enough for Claytor Lake. GPA took the boys while GMA and Jaime went shopping for some things GMA needed.

WED was India Gardens buffet to get a sampling "local" food for GMA and GPA, and returning home to say our goodbyes. More hysterical than ever before, the children said their goodbyes. It made us sad to say goodbye...very sad. But very, very happy that in spite of their busy schedule, we were able to see them one last time before they are off. So THANKS again!

BTW-Anyone else who wants to have a rockin' great time in the Appalachias, as illustrated above, need only get their sorry butts out here and we'll take care of the rest! (That's suppose to be an invitation, albeit an aggressive one.)

Tainted Love (maybe?)

So help me, I am lost. Since F was 4, he has wanted a dog. While somewhat afraid of them, he has always been drawn to the idea of being a dog owner. We originally told him he could have one when he was 8, thinking it was a forgettable phase.

At 8, we managed to do what parents to best: deflect and manipulate. Yes, F, you can have a dog, IF, you really want one and the accompanying responsibility. We focused on the early morning potty trips, the wintry walks, the poop-scooping, the grooming, the trouble. We talked him out of it, but made him think HE was the one deciding against it. (Not my proudest parenting moment.) I was just so unprepared myself, I guess I plain chickened out.

Relentless, his B-day is approaching and guess what he wants? You guessed it: a Yorkie poo (No, John(s) this is not something nasty). We drove to see a man about a dog (again, not a euphemism). He has puppies for sale in Lynchburg...and, no surprise, F fell in love.

What am I going to do? I say "I" because Jack has wanted a dog since our union 11 years ago. Help me, dog lovers, is it worth it? Coming from someone who has NEVER had a pet, you have some convincing to do...so, GO!

And before you say it, I have a 12-point criteria list for any dog crossing my doorstep, and this one is it. We tried the Humane Society and the local Rescue, and unable to save the 3 legged, one eyed Pinscher, we lended up back at this one. But we TOO saw the Oprah on puppy mills, so we will stay clear of those...PROMISE!

Last Mormon Housewife Comic Standing

Sometimes I think I am funny. Sometimes I think I am witty. Sometimes, I am. Only sometimes. But there are women who write what my conscious mind would say, if I were as witty as I think I am (and if I dared say in public what I gripe about in private).

There is a collective healing taking place among Mormon women through blogs that speak of Gunne Sax dresses, Forgotten Chicken recipes, their latest Etsy item, oddly named children, and perfection. Oh how they make me laugh. Some are droll, some cross the line, but here are two of my favorites.

For a satire: seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com
For "tellin' my truth": kasm.blogspot.com

As Lil' Mama would say, "Ya'll did ya'll's thing." And we thank you for it.

Not good enough for the scrapbook? Throw 'em on the blog!

Here are some favorite vacation photos from our trip to Williamsburg and VA Beach that won't necessarily make the scrapbook, but represent vacationing with a family of 5 (or 17 as the case was this particular week).

Jack sporting G's headphones riding back to our timeshare from VA Beach

Typical shot of S the entire trip. When we weren't at the pool, he would just sit and ask if we could go to the pool.

After walking around Busch Gardens for a little while, G kicked S out of the stroller declaring it his. Grandma was lucky S conceded or he'd have been gunning for her ride.

Only F could pull off goggles at the beach--barely.

This miserable shot is of R and I singing karaoke & waking up the people down the hall. Clinton and Stacy--Help me.

Here's to next year...