Monday, October 5, 2009

Labor Day

No exciting journaling on this one . . .just some photos from our Labor Day trip to the Natural Bridge State Park in Easern Kentucky. My mom was out visiting the week before Labor Day and overlapped a few days with a visit from my cousin Lachelle and her husband Nick and kids. The hike up to the natural stone bridge included something like 500 steps so to motivate the boys we told them they could play a minute of xbox for every step they counted. It worked pretty well and they probably still have time saved up since the following weekend we put the xbox and television in an extended time out as I felt like it was not bringing the best out in our children. They haven't played xbox since and have watched maybe a few television shows that they earned for completing certain things. They have however, learned to ride bikes without training wheels, played outside a lot, taken an even greater interest in books, used their imaginations to play, wrestled, enjoyed soccer season, etc. . . .all better activities anyway in my mind. In case you're wondering, Dallas has also returned to some bed wetting, but still can and does go dry . .so we'll continue to work on that and search perhaps for some other form of extrinsic motivation for him.
How many is that Trenton??

It's a toss up on who poses the best. GQ/puffy chest Dave or pop a squat/ride a horse Bri?

It was fun to have Grandma's company . .not to mention help. She and Lexi enjoyed the view opposite the natural bridge (it's the line of stone you see in the background.
We almost got the whole crew to look at the camera.
Butler . . party of 6.
Coming back down. This little crevice in the wall was creepily narrow. Lachelle couldn't even walk through it with the baby back pack on. I knew there was a reason we wanted Nick with us .. .who else was going to hoist Dallas down the mountain? Dallas and Keyton were fast friends after this unique experience they shared together.

I like the Fall: Halloweeen , cool weather, leaves changing color . .However there are a few things I don't care for that come with the season: plentiful spiders huge and small and snakes. Dallas found this little guy wrapped around the sensor on or garage door. Yuck!!! Apparently it was a rat snake and they can grow up to 6 feet long. I wasn't happy that Dave let him go near our house as I now have nightmares of him coming back for a visit when he's all grown up.

9 comments:

tracie said...

Another perk about living in CO, I rarely see any sort of bugs or reptiles except for our "pet" lizard, Frank, who lives in our window well. If anything they're out during the spring and summer but I haven't seen any recently. (knock on wood)

Daisha said...

Wow, the girls have grown so much since we saw you last. Does Lexi have strawberry blonde hair or is it just the lighting? I can't believe she's almost one! We're struggling with crickets in our home - one day I killed five and they are driving me crazy, really crazy. Hearing that your boys can ride their bikes without training wheels makes me feel terrible that my kids still have never owned a bike and have no idea how to ride. (I'm sure you remember the 4th of July lack of a bike incident with Macie a few years back.) I think Santa is going to have to come through with bikes this year. OK, this is probably way too long- I'll call you soon

Carrie said...

N.B. and the gorge are two of my favorite places in the grand KY. And the spiders there are the worst. I had one the size of a half dollar chillin' in my living room one day, I freaked...good luck with those

Bacchus Family said...

I'm sad I don't live closer to you (the hike looked like a lot of fun) but also very happy. I have to be the pest killer in my home and I don't really like it. I would have killed the snake to make sure it never found its way back. I guess I am mean like that.

Jenna said...

KY is gorgeous! I can't believe how much Lexi is looking like Dallas..of course feminine. =) Oh those adventurous boys...I could never do that. I think I might sick watching them do that!

Jenna said...

Oh and Dave is going to be jealous...Drew just won a trip to the Masters, so he is in CA this week hoping to meet Tiger. I hope we can make it out there sometime next year...really for a chance for us to get together, but I guess so the boys can golf too. =)

Johnny said...

Hey guys! I am interviewing for a residency position in Kentucky. Maybe Michelle and I can come say hi.

Em said...

It's great to hear from you. Your family is adorable (no suprise) you all look fantastic. HOpefully, things are a little slower in the ortho residency.

The Campbell Clan said...

You all look beautiful of course. Love the pics and the update. Nasty snakes and spiders oh my...I guess that is what little boys are into right?. We miss you here and love seeing what you are up to. Glad you found some beautiful places to see in KY!