Jacob turns 16!!!!

Sixteen....wow!!!  Just doesn't seem possible.  It was a sad day for me.  Usually we do something together but all he wanted to do was buy a new video game and play the rest of the day :( 


He wanted Dominoes for lunch and pizza monkey bread and homemade mac and cheese for dinner.   I usually make whatever cake they want.  This year Jake wanted a dutch apple pie.  I have never had any luck making one of those so I decided to buy one.  Only I couldn't find one so we ended up with an ice cream cake from DQ.

Jacob is learning to Weld

Jacob has shown some interest in welding.  We have also been discussing career choices for him and this may be a good fit.  On Saturday we went to Harbor Freight and he used some of his birthday money to buy a welders mask.  When we came home he put together a welding table that David had in the garage for a while.  Then David let him pull out the MIG welder and weld a few nails together.  David says that now Jacob has welded more than he has!

Holy Cow....Jacob got his drivers permit!!!!!

I took Jacob down to the Sheriffs office to take the test for his permit.  There were so many other kids there!  It took 2 hours to get in get registered, take the test and get the permit issued.

After he had his permit in his new wallet I took him to the old Kroger parking lot and let him drive.  He did remarkably well for the first time.  Then I took him and taught him how to pump gas into the van ;)

Anthony is 18!!!!!!!

How did the years pass so quickly.  Anthony turned 18 today!  He will be starting college in a couple of weeks!  He has been working hard trying to get everything done that needs to be done to start.  When we think we have it all done he finds out he needs to do something else.  So we are crossing our fingers that everything gets done in time.


For his birthday dinner Anthony wanted ribs and german chocolate cake :) 

My wish for my boy....be strong, be kind, be helpful, make good choices.  Grow into the man I know you can be.

A Midsummer Nights Dream!!!

I have had the most wonderful experience!!!  I was asked to direct the summer show for Actors Playhouse of Georgetown.  I had never directed anything before but had produced several shows and have been involved in many more in one form or fashion :)  A Midsummer Nights Dream is one of my favorite shows ever, honestly I think that is why I was asked...or maybe I just volunteered myself ;) 

We were auditioning 14 to 19 year olds for this show.  We did let a few younger people audition who were mature enough to handle Shakespeare.  Then we recruited a few more younger kids to play fairies and such.  I worked hard on this show and was very proud of the outcome.  We had several people drop out, we worked around it.  The kids were fantastic!!!  All three of mine were in the show...well I guess I should say 4 because Diesel was in the show as well!  Lee Cruse came out to do a segment for the news, I didn't do so well being on tv.  But the kids were great!! 

We are hoping to make the summer show always be Shakespeare with young people.  I have decided to work on Twelfth Night for summer 2015.  I hope everything works out and the theatre gets funding to keep the building but I do know this won't be the end of it even if the building goes away.   I have always been in love with theatre, this is a whole new level!!!

Anthony was Lysander.  Michael was Duke Theseus.  Jacob was Frances Flute and Thisby.  Diesel was "dog". 

The Star Crossed Lovers

 

 

My wonderful crew!!!!



 

 

 

 The Mechanicals!!!!

 

 

 My paper mache moon!!! 

Diesel in his costume as Dog/thornbush

 Wonderful cake made by Tia of Sweet Matriarch.

 

 

 Oh yeah....Jacob had to wear a dress.  He was a very good sport about it!!!

Cades Cove and Rich Mountain Trail

Today was a trip to Cades Cove.  We found a nice spot for a few pictures and then we headed to the Visitor Center.  There was a guy there playing banjo, guitar, dulcimer and a harpsichord.  We bought some tasty pumpkin butter. 

We cut back through the Cove on one of the cut through roads so we could go back and hit Rich Mountain Trail.  It is one of those unpaved not frequented roads :)  We didn't see one other person while on the tail. 

After the trail we headed to one of our favorite restaurants in Pigeon Forge, Huck Finns.  Michael and Anthony got catfish.  Jacob got gator tail!  He even ate the white beans there, he NEVER eats beans!  Michael ate all of his catfish but couldn't eat his mashed potatoes.  It might have as something to do with all the hush puppies they brought us before our meal! 

We got to the cabin a little early so I sat on the balcony off of our bedroom and worked on my play a little.  It was so nice out tonight that eventually all three boys were out there with me :) 

Michael lit the grill and they all made smores :)  We found the really cool special smores marshmallows here at Walmart.  Couldn't kind them at home!

And after loading the pictures for today I realized that Anthony didn't get out of the Jeep when I was taking pictures.

                                          Saw this really awesome gate at the end of the trail.

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail

We had a nice drive through Roaring Fork today.  There were some really pretty spots to take pictures.  But I will say that I prefer the gravel roads that are less touristy.  The Motor trail was crowded!!  We tried to go find another trail that David had keyed into his GPS last time we were her but on the way we saw the Jeepism place and stopped there.  Michael got a shirt, Jacob got a hat.  Anthony decided he didn't want anything.  David found some handles to attach to the big plastic bin we got to carry our stuff on a rack on the back of the Jeep.  We bought it so we could bring the dog with us.  He is enjoying all the walks he is getting but I think he would be happier at our friend Brandi's house. 

We never found the other trail.  We decided to just go on back to the cabin when the GPS said it was and hour and a half to the trail!  Everything takes so long to get to here.  Not because its that far away, but because the roads are crazy curvy and the speed limit is low.  We grilled smoked sausage dogs and had potato salad and chips.  And of course all the boys had smores afterwards :)