Boiling Springs

We spent yesterday morning at Boiling Spring. It is a local creek (or river, I don't know) that is a good swimming spot. Only thing is, it's COLD! The beach is nice and sandy, and Owen enjoyed staying shallow. (I did too. Too cold for me.)

Across the river was a rope swing that Corwin was drawn to. It was hard work for Jason. He had to get the rope to Corwin by swinging it just right so Corwin could catch it.

Then, Jason had to swim to shore and lift Corwin high up on the rope...

...then let him fly and tell him when to let go. But, man, was it worth it for Corwin! He LOVED falling from high into the water! Sorry the picture is blurry. I've got it zoomed in as far as it'll go, and I apparently couldn't keep still.

But, you get the idea. He had a ball. We finished up with a picnic, then rode 10 minutes to home. It was a good time had by all.

July Expedition, Days 8-10

FINAL POST ...

Thursday morning we headed out of Houston, TX, at 5 a.m. We drove through Dallas, Eastern Oklahoma, and landed at my parents' house in Rogersville, MO. It took us just under 13 hours to complete the trip. The boys did AMAZING!!! They napped and watched movies and never complained once. Well, Corwin was always hungry, but other than that, no complaints. Whomever invented the portable DVD player, I LOVE YOU!!!

Thursday evening we arrived just in time to have dinner with my parents, my brother, his wife, and his 3 kiddos. They came up from Dallas for a long weekend visit, and that was the reason for our stop in Rogersville. Friday morning we visited Fantastic Caverns, which is situated just north of Springfield. It was Corwin and Owen's first cave experience. Owen was a little scared, but Corwin that it was pretty cool. Literally. It was 60 degrees in that place. Very nice.

Quick family picture after touring the cavern.

Then we went to Bass Pro. We always seem to make a stop at Bass Pro. The kids (and dads) always love it, too. Owen is acting like the bear, by the way.

Later that evening we went out to eat and rode go-karts. Unfortunately, none of those pictures turned out because all our faces are blurred. But, the boys wanted to play putt-putt golf, too, so me, Jason, Corwin, and Owen did that while the others continued to race. Owen never started at the Tee box. He always walked right up to the hole, put his ball down, then hit it in. Cheater.

Corwin in action. I told you the other day that we created a golf monster, right?

Yeah. YAY for Owen! He made a hole-in-one! (I wonder how he did that!??!)

Saturday morning we went to the local creek, just north of Rogersville. It was a PERFECT area and a perfect day. Grandpa, Jason, Shelby, and Ethan hunted crawdads...

... and Corwin, Emerie, and Eliza swam and jumped into the creek. Owen played in the shallow areas, threw rocks, and had a ball just playing around.

That evening we got together with the Warrick family (my grandma's side). We had a cookout and enjoyed the company of family. Then, FINALLY, we headed home. Home, sweet, home.

THE END!

July Expedition, Days 4-8

I'll try to make this one as short and sweet as possible.

Our ultimate destination was Houston, TX, where Jason has a great aunt and uncle residing. We thought it would be a good, cheap vacation opportunity to stay at their house and take in all that the Houston area has to offer. That proved to be quite true.

We arrived Sunday, late afternoon, and enjoyed a relaxing evening visiting.

Monday morning we headed out to Galveston Beach. I enjoyed having my feet in the sand and sea, and watching my boys play.

If you know Owen, he LOVES sand, and he was quite content digging, digging, digging.

Corwin LOVED jumping the ocean waves.

Owen also enjoyed his little dollar-store boat. That boat toured the entire coast line. Well, the one where we were parked, anyway.

Corwin and Daddy would build sand castles, and Owen would bring his watering can by and destroy them. He thought it was so funny the way the sand just melted.

You can't tell me that this isn't a beautiful picture... I love my cute little boys!

Corwin did get stung by a jellyfish. I thought we were going to have to amputate, he cried so much. (I know. They really do hurt!) Fortunately, a lady just down the beach had a little vinegar, and she soaked his ankle (site of the sting) in it. That seemed to ease his pain a bit.

Owen got a small sting on his wrist. But, sitting down and resting did the trick for him.

Tuesday, we toured downtown Houston. Being the family of a baseball coach, we were forced...erh... given the opportunity to check out Minute Maid field, home of the Houston Astros. Thankfully...erh... unfortunately, it was All-Star week, so there wasn't a game scheduled to go to, or we probably would've been there.

Then, we visited Jason's mother's cousin who works downtown. She took us to the underground tunnel system of shops, and then up in her sky scraper. The boys LOVED that... riding up the elevator 43 stories and looking down at the world below. Then, we visited the downtown aquarium where we saw all kinds of fish.

They even had a gorgeous white Siberian Tiger. Not sure why he was in the aquarium, but I don't care. He was BEAUTIFUL!!! (Note: this is not the real tiger. It's just a statue.) :)

That evening we met one of my high school best friends, Lori, for dinner. My family and hers met at a Burger King where the kids played and we talked, and talked, and talked. I was reminded of how much I love this girl and miss her. God truly blessed me with amazing friends in high school, and He continues to do so everywhere I go.

Wednesday morning we went to the Johnson Space Center. Corwin is a bit of a space nut, so he was especially looking forward to this day. (I'll admit. I'm a bit of a space nerd, too. It's fascinating, so I couldn't wait either.)

We got to tour NASA and one of its training facilities.

They also had real rockets.

We bought Corwin the headphones where an astronaut explained everything, in detail, of what he was looking at. He loved that thing! He would tell us what it was saying, and probably knows more about space stuff than you or I do.

This is a Saturn V rocket (actually it's, like, Saturn XVII). This is just like the Saturn rockets that took men to the moon. This one was never used, but it in complete working condition. I was amazed at the thing's size. MASSIVE!

The boys thoroughly enjoyed their day at the space center. We watched films, saw demonstrations, and even played around for awhile. The boys left exhausted (mostly Owen) and happy with their little space toys they got at the gift shop. (Thanks Christy, Vernetta, an Vernece for giving them money. They LOVED choosing their own souvenir.)

We got back to Uncle James's and Aunt Edith's house around 3:30, where I put a very tired Owen down for a nap. Then, Jason, Corwin, and Uncle James went to tour the San Jacinto state park, where a battleship is parked.

Jason said that Corwin had to sit on EVERY gun, and not just every gun, but every SEAT at every gun.

He came back telling me all about the battleship, how the soldiers shot the guns, that it was hit by Nazis, etc. If you ever go to a museum with this boy, be prepared to read EVERY bit of information posted. He is a sponge, man, and hungry for knowledge! I'm not complaining, though I do get tired of reading sometimes.

We left Thursday morning at 5 a.m. I will continue on with Days 8-10 later. My fingers are tired. (I'm sure your brain is tired, too.)

TO BE CONTINUED ...

July Expedition, Days 1-3

We are finally back home, after ten days and over 1,900 miles of travel. WHEW!

We started out Thursday evening, July 8, and headed for Cave City, Arkansas. Here is where Jason's parents and most of his mom's family resides. We enjoyed an afternoon swim in Aunt Nece's pool, and dinner out with the aunts, uncles, cousins, and Granny.

The next morning we headed toward Texarkana, TX. There we spent the afternoon with Jason's other grandma and grandpa, also known as Mimmy and Pappy. That evening we enjoyed dinner with Aunt Lorna, Uncle Bob, and Jared.

Saturday morning we moved toward Holly Lake Ranch, TX, where Jason's Uncle Mickey and Aunt Donna have recently settled. They have the curse of living on the 15th hole of their resort golf course.

Corwin had his first swing at a REAL golf game. And, apparently he LOVED it! I hope we've not created a golf monster here.

Owen had his turn at a few practice balls in the back yard.

After fifteen rounds of golf, we headed to the resort pool for a nice, warm swim. The boys thoroughly enjoyed their stay at Uncle Mickey's house. There are so many fun things to do there! Fishing, swimming (pool or lake), golf, volleyball, etc.

We truly appreciate everyone's hospitality as we ventured south. The boys absolutey love being around their uncles, aunts, cousins, and great grandparents. We are blessed with an amazing family!

Days 4-8 to come shortly.... TO BE CONTINUED...

Fourth of July Weekend

We had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend! It all started with picking and canning green beans. YES! Pickin' and cannin'. Mom and Dad's green beans are just beginning to make, so they let me have at the first "harvest". It ended up being about 21 pints of garden-fresh, pesticide-free, hand-picked green beans. YUM!

Sunday, of course, was church, then the big Hosiner 4th. My dad's side of the family always gets together at my parents' house for dinner and fireworks. Dinner was great, as usual, but the fireworks were of a different sort this year. Lightening--God's fireworks. Just as the kids started the man-made fireworks, a storm blew in, and the show was cancelled. Much to Corwin's disappointment.

This is a picture of Corwin and his cousin, Bryson. He likes Bryson. Bryson would come watch and supervise Corwin's firework shooting, while Daddy sat and talked. Good ol' Bryson!


Monday we visited my grandparents, then headed to the lake for a little summer fun! Corwin and Daddy tubed. (Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of Jason tubing.)

Owen enjoyed watching Bubby. He laughed and talked to him (even though Corwin couldn't hear a thing). He thought that was pretty neat, but wouldn't do it himself.

Here, the boys are watching their Dad on the tube. They laughed when Grandpa finally threw Daddy off the tube. They thought that was hilarious!

Owen just loves a good boat ride!

So does Corwin.

And swimming, swimming, swimming.

OH, and MORE swimming!
It was a great, summer weekend filled with some of what I love most. My boys, my family, food, and the water. Good times!

Below is a video of Corwin tubing. Enjoy the boat motor noise. It's not good quality because I didn't have the video camera with me. So, it is what it is. Mediocre. Better than nothing!