Correction...

...she is seeded 13 out of 31.

Den and Dee - check your inbox!

Quick Post...

I will try and post some pics later, but we are in swim mode this week. Only two more 7:00 am practices until the big meet. Gracie is swimming her favorite event - the 50 breast - looks like she will swim prelim on Sunday morning. She is seeded 18 out of 31 in the state for 10 year old female breast strokers. We'll see what happens! We are very excited for her, and she is glowing in the attention. The state swimmers are treated very well, with daily treats, goodie bags, notes of encouragement, etc.

Den and Dee - your request is coming via separate email!

Love to all...D

Our Not-So-Plain Train Ride

So this was the look on Jack's face when he realized we were in a real train depot for his big birthday surprise - a ride on a real railroad train! We were signed up for the 3 hour excursion out of Van Buren, AR to Winslow, and back.

We were on the Arkansas & Missouri line, an engine, caboose and two 1928 passenger cars.

About 40 minutes into the ride, we came to an abrupt halt just short of Chester, AR. Smoke was filling the car, and the engineer was outside looking under our passenger car. Evidently, on railroads, every few miles, there are safety sensors that count the number of axles and take a temperature reading. Well, the temperature alarm went off, and sure enough, one of our wheel bearings blew out and was glowing bright red. They said had we traveled 5 more minutes at the speed we were going we could have derailed. Yikes.

So, they squeezed 3/4 of our car onto the other passenger car, and put the last 1/4 of us on the caboose, with no air conditioning. We were on the caboose. They unhooked the bad car and hooked the train back up together at the switchtrack. It turned out to be pretty interesting, but long and hot. We did get to sit up high in the cupolo of the caboose, and we got as many cold drinks and snacks as we wanted. And they comped us another 4 ticket free ride in the future.

The kids passed the time with the video camera, and this was their failed attempt to get Pete to actually smile in a photo. Those are Jack's fingers.

Countdown to state swim meet....D

My Gray-Gray is HOME!

Like my favorite singer Martina McBride says in one of my favorite songs: "...that the sweetest thing that you'll ever see in the whole world is a happy girl!" And this was a cabin full of happy girls. To quote Gracie: "I had the time of my life!" When we pulled into cabin-world yesterday, her friends shouted out to her that her family was here. She came running out yelling "Jacky!" He ran to her and she picked him up and twirled him around. Sweet moment. Hickory Cabin soundoff - her two counselors are in the back in the blue tshirts - Skeeter and Krylon. In the middle row is Jenny, Shannon, Abby, and Mindy. Front row is Alaina, Katrina, G, Annie, and Madison. G and Katrina from Batesville became very close friends! G was one of the only campers who brought her camera, so she has tons of pics and videos that these girls made.

Here was the daily schedule: Up at 7:15, Time with God on the benches (a grove of picnic benches where they read scripture and had morning devos), breakfast, cabin activity, camp swimming, lunch, FOB (Flat on Bunk quiet time), Option (choice of activity), cabin activity, dinner, campfire devos, staff skit in dining hall. Chapter book story time before lights out. Some of the activities were archery, live Clue game, ultimate frisbee with the boys, sunset on top of Petit Jean, two mile hike to Cedar Falls waterfall. There is an ongoing building project outside the dining hall to build a retaining wall. They had just brought in a load of dirt and sand right before it rained for two days on Monday and Tuesday. Tuesday night after dinner, two of the counselors started a mud wrestling pit and all of the kids got to join in! That was a highlight...

Here was the group blessing at the closing yesterday. Gracie is in the green tie dye with the shorts covered in hearts. The guy with the guitar is Boss, or Chris, the director. He is the one who went to school with Dennis and Deidre.

And in true camp fashion, where you use what you have, a fitted sheet adorned the worship cross.

After many teary goodbyes and hugs (and one sixth grade boy named Robert who was especially interested in saying goodbye to Gracie...more on that later), we headed to the top of Petit Jean for a hearty Winrock burger. On our way up the mountain, Gracie realized she left something in the dining hall. She was VERY upset and demanded that we go back immediately. And I am so glad we did. My daughter made me something that I have vowed to keep forever. She painted this rock with my favorite Bible verse on it. She and I have talked about what this verse means to me, and I have this stenciled on my bathroom wall. I was so touched it brought tears to my eyes.

All in all, she had the best time ever. She said she learned a lot about being herself, her relationship with God, and setting goals. And Nate - if you are reading this - Gracie says you HAVE to go next year!

Was there any doubt...

...that we would eat at Pizza Inn for the birthday boy last night? After pizza, our neighbors came over for some bday cake. These pics are a little backwards, but you can see my arm in this picture pulling Jack back - he was getting a little too close for comfort to the flame.

Here comes the cake...guests were Will, Toni, Riley, Scott, Mandy, and their kids Sarah Grace, Maddi, and Charlie. Maddi is Jack's buddy in the pink shirt. Sarah Grace is on swim team with Gray, so Jack and Maddi always hang out at the meets together.

Need a good dirt pile...

Nana and Papa Brown - thanks for the two history books. Here he is just opening the one about L. Frank Baum's childhood. Notice - Ruffy is still never very far away. Wonder if he will go to kindergarten in the old backpack? :)

Nana and Papa Beach - the new train cars had their inaugural run last night as well. I will get some pics this weekend! Thanks!

Fred and Brie and Eme and Baby - thanks for the Star Wars lego set!

Check back in tomorrow for an update on camp and a surprise trip in place of a big party. WE PICK UP GRAY IN 3 HOURS!!!!!!!!

Make a Wish, Mr. Six Year Old!

It was six years ago this morning at approximately 7:50, I barely overheard Pete call Mom to hurry up to the hospital if she wanted to make it in time to witness a birth. She made it, and so did Jackson Frederick Karl, at 8:33 am. Gracie called him "Precious Boy", and God continues to bless our lives with his precious presence. We love you to the moon and back, Jack! Happy Birthday!

Love, Mommy

Memories

Pete arrived in NY yesterday in prep for his big meeting today. It pretty much takes him all day to get from LR to LaGuardia, by layover in Memphis, since there are no direct flights from LR to LaGuardia. Fun fun. Anyway, he had some time to visit his old stomping grounds and wanted me to post these pictures he took on his phone of the house they grew up in. No word yet if his deer stands are still alive and well...

Nana and Papa - where exactly did Pete sit on the roof the night he climbed up there to play his trumpet for Allison Bates?

Weather note...we have had rain for two days now, wondering how Gracie and the camp are doing with this?!?! We miss her...D

Lutheran Camp Dropoff

Before I get into the details of camp dropoff,, I lead off with a photo that captures the very essence of how Jack's feels about getting his picture taken after he has stubbed his toe and needs medical attention on the counter. He doesn't know I posted this. heehee

On to Lutheran Camp on Petit Jean Mountain....registration was today between 4:00 and 5:00pm. We arrived on site about 3:45. The Smothers pulled in behind us, so Pete got out to let them know that the gate would be open at 4:00 after the camp's final staff meeting. Pete also had to tell them that they had a flat tire - the air was hissing out of it while he was talking to them. So, Pete and Will changed yet another flat tire together. (you might remember that when we all went to Bentonville for Ashton's wedding, we were the ones with the flat tire.) We checked in and Gracie and Madison both had their fingers crossed that they would be in the same cabin. Gracie was first - Hickory. Then they called out Madison - Hickory! Those two girls grabbed hands and jumped around and squealed like they won the lottery! We proceeded to sign up for the camp photo DVD and a T-shirt. Then we headed to unpack the cars and start making bunks. Gray and MadDog both chose a top bunk next to each other so they could talk at night. If you look closely in this picture, the girls' bunks are lined up along the right side wall, the two counselor bunks are on the left next to where Will is standing, and to the left of Pete is a little lounge area with two couches for meetings and devotions. The bathroom is actually IN the cabin (bonus) and is straight back behind Toni - two stalls, two sinks, and three showers. No A/C, but there were several ceiling fans, several window fans, and every camper brings a clip on fan for their bunk. Luckily, we are also having a cool spell this week!

Four happy kids on the top of Gracie's bed - I am sure Riley will go next year!

On the porch of Hickory.

The front of Hickory.

Making bunk nametags. The counselor on the left in the blue shirt is Krylon - apparently she had a run-in with a can of spray paint, which earned her that nickname. Hickory's other counselor is Strawberry.

Gracie was very excited and I could tell she was ready for us to leave and let her get her 'camp on.' Please pray that she has a super week!

Pete leaves tomorrow for New Jersey, so it is Jack and me for a couple of days...D

Happy Birthday, Doug!

HAVE A SUPER DAY!...LOVE, DEESE

Happy Tuesday

Jack's rash is MUCH better this morning, so I think we can avoid the doctor!

Happy belated Anniversary to Nana and Papa Beach - we love you so much! Congratulations on 44 blessed years together!

Happy belated Anniversary to Fred and Brie!

Happy Anniversary to Krista and Russ today!

Monday Updates

Gracie - as of the swim meet in LR on Saturday, she has now posted 4 state times - 50 breast, 100 breast, 100 free, and the 50 back! We are still waiting to see which event(s) she will be called upon to compete in at State. Yes, her hair is purple, or rather, highlighted underneath, and a couple of streaks on the side. And she LOVES it! This week is prep for church camp. We still have several items to purchase from the list, including flashlight, rain poncho, and dirty laundry bag. We drop her off on Sunday evening. She is getting VERY excited!

Jackson - currently has a rash all over his face, arms, and legs. We think he is allergic to the sunscreen they used at the pool last Thursday, it was leftover from last year. Poor kid. Ms. Kay just called and said it looks better this afternoon. He is eagerly awaiting his birthday and is dropping subtle hints for presents. So far he wants a Nintendo DS in blue, and some green money.

Pete - had a successful trip to Wisconsin last week, he enjoyed the 75 degree days. After sitting outside in 100 degree weather on Saturday watching everyone else swim, he has decided we are moving north! He and his other wife, evidently. He and Gray tried for some fishing on Sunday, but got aced out by a fussy boat motor and a little bit of rain. He is home all week this week!

Denise - I continue to hold down the fort, keep us all on track with summer activities and schedules. Work is good, always busy, but July is not an end of quarter month for my customer, so more tolerable than June was. I am still working on Jack's preschool scrapbook (almost done), and then on to Gracie's sports scrapbook of her teams, events, etc.

We finished the weekend with a Sunday night golf outing. Gracie was a cart driver (I know), Pete and I would tee off and chip, and the kids would putt once we got on the green. Best part for Gracie - driving the cart. Best part for Jack - snacks, and riding in the cart with Gracie. Best part for Pete - his bogey on 3, and showing his kids how to putt. Best part for me - getting off a really good drive with Pete's driver (felt good and sounded good), and sporting my OFF insect repellant belt clip - it works! Mom - I forgot to get you one!

Making my grocery list...D

More from the visit...

We also squeezed in a belated birthday celebration for Papa complete with chocolate cake. Mom and Dad made it home safely, just in time to watch Matt's baseball game. Thanks for a super visit, and for the clean microwave!

I wish I had a picture to post of Gracie's new purple hair. Wow...D

Anniversary Dinner

We finally got to celebrate Mom and Dad's 47th anniversary with a special dinner at Michelangelo's in Conway. See anything strange in this picture? Yes, Gracie is wearing glasses. No, they are no real. Fashion statement, evidently.

Here is Jack posing with our appetizer - a mountain of Italian nachos. Dad had veal parmesan, Jack had brick oven pizza, Mom had some portobello/orzo thing, Gray had fettucine alfredo, I had spinach cannelloni, and Pete had lasagna. We were all stuffed!

Thanks for playing along, Dennis and Deidre! Yes, something happened to my car. I decided to play tag with a very large concrete column in the parking garage at the condo building. I lost. But I DID win with my new belated 40th birthday present to myself - my tattoo! Some may recognize this as a replica of the cake topper on our wedding cake. Yes, it hurt like you know what. No, I have zero regrets - I LOVE IT! Yes, Pete loves it also. We were at church for all of two minutes last Sunday before Jack decided to tell the lobby that his mom got a tatoo. And crashed her car.

Jack and Pete made it home safely on Friday afternoon. Nana and Papa Beach - thanks so much for showing Jack such a good time and for taking such good care of him! He continues to tell us about the fun he had, and has shown us all of the pictures he took of your house, your furniture, your toilet, your sink, etc. :)

Our best firework last night was called "The Tailgator"...definitely worth $4.99....Denise

Souvenirs from Vacation

Who can be the first person to leave a comment and correctly identify my two souvenirs from vacation?

D

We Miss the Beach...

It was such a great week, where our only cares in the world were applying sunscreen evenly, sharing the boogie boards, and figuring out what restaurant for dinner. Our typical days were as follows...waking up around 9:00 to the sound of waves with bright sunshine, scarfing down a Krispie Kreme, heading down to the beach, lunch in the condo around 11:30 (usually PBJ, pizza, hot dogs, tacos, etc.), back to the beach or pool, showers at 4:00, and then go out to eat and explore the area. Jack and I rode a train around the Destin Commons shopping area while Pete and Gray shopped for sunglasses.

Yes, that is Gracie on a bungee jump swing kind of thing. She is jumping on trampoline that shoots you WAY up high, and then that little monkey figured out how to do back flips.

The whole crew at an AWESOME restaurant called "The Louisiana Laniappe. " Highlights here were deep fried artichoke hearts, crab and shrimp for Pete, key lime pie, and vodka tonics, of course.

Pre-dinner kiddos...Riley, Madison, Gray, and JayJay.

This week found Gray at basketball camp at Hendrix, which she really enjoyed, as well as prep for next weekend's swim meet in LR - her last chance to post additional state qualifying times for the state meet at the end of the month. We had some quality girl time since our men were gone, so we shopped for nail polish, ate dinners out, watched chick flicks, and snuggled every night.

Jack just called from NC...he had a bad day. Evidently, he got stung by a wasp, the motor on the sailboat wouldn't start, he pinched his finger in the life jacket, and Roxy (Nana and Papa's dog) ate his lunch. Our men are headed back tomorrow afternoon!

Nana and Papa Hartmann will be here in a couple hours! Happy 4th of July everyone...D