Spring Break 2008 part 1

Today marks the end to a very long 2 week spring break that began on Monday the 17th at 3:00am. The last 2 weeks has been so much fun and we have all got to see and visit so many places. I love to watch the kids explore and experience new things. Vacation started 2 weeks ago with a trip to Tennessee to visit Kari and her family. Here we are with all the luggage packed and ready to go.



This was Adam's first time on a plane and as with all things new and exciting he never stopped talking and asking questions. He was fascinated to sit by the window and watch as we went through the clouds. On the second leg of the trip he had a seat all to himself and spent the entire hour and a half talking to the person behind him, a flight attendant bumping a ride. When we finally got there her final words were " boy he sure asks a lot of questions".

Well we arrived a Kari's safe and sound and with all our luggage and we spent the first day hanging out and building forts in the backyard. Going to parks, fishing, hiking and a visit to our new house (Biltmore) were all on the agenda.

Everyone point to you room. Yes this is a very big house 175,000sqft to be exact. In the height the property covered 125,000 acres or 195 sq miles.

This is the farm that is on the estate the kids got to learn all about the farm and how it ran in the old days. They also got to hold a chicken, not just any chicken but a blind chicken, yes that is right this chicken is blind and as a result it does not know that it is a chicken. The chicken spends most of the time hanging out with the goats, about 6 months ago one of the goats stepped on the chickens leg and broke it. Now my first thought when that happened would have been to grab a can of soda and some paprika and fire up the BBQ. I guess they have a little more heart than me because they took it ot the vet and paid $600 to have a cast put on. Yes $600 to cast a CHICKEN LEG.



Easter Sunday was great and as always everyone looked wonderful.

The girls striking their pose.

Paige with her new easter basket.

Easter Sunday and Matt, Kari and Hannah all had to speak in church. You all did a great job and I am impressed that you were able to write your talks even with a house full of guests. I guess that when you stay up until 3:00am you get some free time. Kari and Matt thanks for a great time.

Cake

I just checked Emily's blog and she did not mention this so I thought that I would brag about her. A little over 8 weeks ago Emily started a cake decorating class at Michael's. She just finished her 2nd round of classes and this was her final cake. We did not take a good picture of the flowers but they were awesome. If anyone needs a cake for a party or if you just like cake let her know she does a great job.

Box

Not to say that it takes me a while to finish projects sometimes but I started this tool box for my brother Adam 4 years ago. It was one of those projects that I started and then put in the back of the garage and forgot about. I am proud to say that I am trying to do better and this is the second project on my long term "to do" list that I have completed, the other was our laundry room, not great for pictures, who wants to see dirty laundry.

Goal for 2008...make sure that everything I start is completed 100% before moving onto the next project.

Beach Night

Friday night we all decided that we wanted to go to the beach, have dinner and walk on the beach. We got in the car at about 6:00 and were quick to realize that we would not make it to the beach in time to get dinner and see the sunset. Plan B. We put the beach on hold until Saturday and went to the bird (Red Robin) for dinner. The girls were thrilled all 3 because they wanted to to some shopping also. Adam and I had dinner and then looked at tools in Sears, games at the game store and played on the McDonald's playland. Saturday came the we spent most of the day cleaning the house, assignments were given the night before and I must say that everyone did a great job. Everyone does much better when we plan out the chores ahead of. time.
Well the time came to go to the beach at we left around 4:30. As we drove through Solana Beach I thought that we were going to lose the girls again to all the shopping. We stopped by Roberto's and headed to the beach. I love living in SD 300 days of sunshine a year, able to hangout at the beach in the middle of winter and everyone that lives here is good looking (just look at these pictures).

This is the kids take on Charles Angles.


The sunset was wonderful and the waves were pretty good also.


Paige did not like any of the pictures that we took together so this was the one that I was allowed to post. I loved sitting at the beach beside her and watching the sunset together and I would love nothing more than to do that for the rest of my life.

Uncle Again

Well I am an uncle again. On February 29th Josh and Mara welcomed in a new baby.

STATS:
Name: Nolan Patrick Owsley.
Sex: Male
Hieght: 21 inches
Weight: 8 lbs
Birth day: 2/29/08 next birthday 2/29/12

What a great looking kid. Way to go Josh and Mara you did good.

Good Help

Well it is starting to get warmer outside and I have successfully neglected my yard for the last 4 months. Friday night I told the kids that I needed them for 2 hours on Saturday to help do the yard. KC is out of town (spring training in Florida with the Dodgers) so Emily, and the kids were down for the weekend and her kids wanted to help also. We got started at about 9:30 saturday morning and by 11:00 Emily all her kids, Shannon , my dad and Sharon were all helping in the yard. It is so great to have a family that is willing to help out even you do not have to ask. I am thankful to have such a great family, glad for their help and for just being able to hang out and spend time together. THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP.