Chameleon's Journey Camp, Oct 15-16

Closing ceremonies: 10 groups of kids, 108 total

Silas with the note he wrote for MaMaw and PaPaw attached to a

DUKE blue balloon in honor of PaPaw's beloved BlueDevils! 

 Preparing for Release

 Stephen getting in on the action

The release into the gorgeous Carolina sky!

We applied for Silas to go to this Hospice sponsored grief camp back in the summer. His guidance counselor at school sent home a brochure about it after I called the school to let them know what a hard time he was having losing both of my parents so suddenly. We didn't find out that he had gotten in until 2 weeks before the date. He was super excited about it, and couldn't wait to go. I dropped him off at 8am on Saturday morning, and we all went together to pick him up on Sunday at 10:30. They did a lot of fun activities along with their grief counseling. They did a zip line, went canoeing, climbed a rock wall, had movie night and popcorn, and made a memory box in honor of their lost loved ones. They gave them backpacks and T-shirts, and a women's group made Fleece Knot Blankets for every kid who came (Silas got a Camo one). I looked around and realized how many kids must be there that have lost their mom or dad. So sad. It was a good experience for Silas, and he has already said that he wants to go again next year. We'll see if he gets in again!

Ka-Kold comes for a visit....

For some reason, Stephen can't or won't say "Nikole". Usually he just says 'Kold, but this week while counting down the days until her arrival, he began calling her "Ka-Kold". I have no idea why. Anyway, we haven't had a visit since April when we visited her in Wilmington. She spent the day with us playing in the boys' "Wii Club", then the required (by me!) photo session, then Chuck E Cheese per Stephen's request. . Then we went to Wendy's for a frosty (chocolate, not vanilla because vanilla is "so lame"....thanks Nikole for putting those words out there!). When we got home, the boys talked her into a couple more Wii games before she headed out. It was a great visit and we hope 6 months doesn't go by before we get another visit....

Fun at the Pumpkin Farm!

We had a wonderful time at the local pumpkin farm, Riverbend. It's just a few miles from our house, so we made last minute plans to go. It was actually Scott's idea, and he gave up a Sunday afternoon of watching the Panthers play to have some family fun. The boys love the big bumpy slide out of the silo, and did it MANY times. They each chose their own pumpkins--of course they made us carry the things back to the wagon and then to the car. Good times, great weather!

Photo session at the park....

 Their idea....

 Another one of their ideas...very staged...

 Stephen not cooperating....which is normal...

 Stephen looks pained, but it's one of my favorites anyway because of the LOVE!

We're done.....it's not going too well......

So the winner was...the one I put as the new blog header....Stephen looks like he is seeing a ghost,

but that's pretty much his personality-at least you can SEE his eyes in that one, and I love that Silas' dimples pop out when he grins really big!

PE Time for Solid Rock Academy!!

This is our new play set, we'll call it compliments of one of my Pop's IRAs that he had. It's sad to think that he and my mom did not live to enjoy the fruits of his YEARS of labor, but we used some of the money we received to have the boys a new play set built. I think they would both approve....

Cabarrus County Fair

This is the second year we have gone to the fair. It's just one county over from us, and the boys have had a blast each year. Stephen became our dare devil this year! Last year he would hardly ride anything, but this year he wanted to ride almost everything! Silas rode some of the bigger rides, the ones that scare the bejeebies out of most grown ups! We told him to have at it, we would be waiting on him at the exit. Every time he got off he was super excited and declared all of them "AWESOME!" The weather was outstanding and we had a GREAT time! Can't wait until next year!

Slip N Slide Fun

Both of the boys LOVE anything that has to do with WATER! Most of the time they just play with the hose washing their numerous vehicles or just getting each wet....

Summer Recap: Discovery Place

 We were adventerous and rode the LYNX in from the I-485 station....Silas declared after our second trip that he hated the train....guess we won't do that again!

 The fountain across the street from Discovery Place

 Fun with air

 The bed of nails....no, I did not try this myself!!

We bought the family pass for Discovery Place in downtown Charlotte. The boys and I have been on two "field trips" there so far. We also get admission to the Charlotte Nature Museum and Discovery Place Kids, but we haven't been to either of those yet---we'll have to do those this winter when cabin fever sets in and we HAVE to get out of the house! 

Summer Recap: Mountains with the Downs Family

 All the kids, youngest to oldest: Daniel, Stephen, Silas, Maggie, Anna, & Christopher!

 Stephen "flying" down the slide!

 Lots of pool playing...

 Silas enjoying the sliding fun!

 The hot tub on our deck was a hit!

Catching a ride from the pool to the cabin!