Happy Birthday!!

We recently celebrated our neice's first birthday. Isn't she a doll? She wasn't all that interested in her soooo cute cake but she did manage to make a little bit of a mess! Enjoy the pics! Happy Birthday Shelby!!

Ruby Falls...Day 3

On our final day, we traveled back up Lookout Mountain for a trip to Ruby Falls. I had been nervous about this part of our trip since before we left. When you get here, you are loaded into what appears to be a freight elevator in packs of about 15 people. You then decend about 260' into an opening in the rock. I started to get nervous on the elevator when I realized that the elevator door was glass. You get a nice view of all of the solid limestone that you are about to be UNDER. I had a little trouble breathing when we first got off the elevator but I quickly remembered the breathing techniques I was taught in childbirth classes! They help in other situations too folks!! Anyway, you go with a tourguide on a trip that is 1 mile total. .5 miles to the falls and .5 miles back (along the same path) to the elevator. Jake was truly in awe of all of the stalagmites and stalagtites in the cavern. I really believe this was his favorite part of the whole trip. We completed the mile journey and got back to the elevator where we were again loaded on with about 12 other people. This time, the elevator operator thought he would have some fun with an elevator that was mostly female. He slowed the elevator down to a turtle like pace...this caused 4 or 5 of the women (me excluded) to squeal very loudly. He then looks at them and says "don't worry, it won't take them long to get us out of here," That didn't help the situation any!! He sped the elevator back up and we made it to the top safe and sound!!

We left Chattanooga a short while later for what seemed like the longest drive ever. We made it home safe and sound and overall we had an excellent time!

This was called "Mirror Lake."
The picture does not do it justice!

The falls.

Stone teeth as Jake calls them.

See Rock City...and Throw Up in a Garbage Can!! Day 2

So, day 2 begins with us waking at about 8:30 and getting ready to head out to "See Rock City!" Mark complains of the usual stomach ache...(he always has a stomach ache when we go on vacation) I tell him to get over it and hurry up because we want to beat the crowd as well as the mid-day heat. We all load up in the car and head up Lookout Mountain. Rock City is one of those tourist attractions that everyone wants to see, yet everyone makes fun of. It's so ultra cheesy and well, tacky. It was alot of fun for Jake as he loved climbing on the rocks and running throughout the park. It was fun for the rest of us until we got to the entrance to Fairlyland Caverns...we all went in and experienced the same darkness, the same dank odor...Jake and I looked at the displays with the little gnomes in them. We were at the Hansel and Gretel display when I hear coughing off to my right. I knew it was Mark coughing since we were the only ones in the cavern. Then I think to myself "I recognize that particular cough"...at that very moment, I look over to see him ralphing in the garbage can...how nice!! He looks up at me and says "I've got to get out of here!" I was in a panic...we stood at the garbage can for a few seconds because I think he was afraid to leave it...we finally found the exit and we were thrilled to see sunlight and get some fresh air! I was very torn between feeling sorry for him and being totally angry with him...as if he could control it! Needless to say, we got out of Rock City pretty quickly and headed back to the hotel for some rest.

Jake getting ready to cross the swinging bridge

Mark and Jake trying to make it through "Fat Man Squeeze"

Where it all went downhill

After and hour or so at the hotel, Mark decided that he was okay with going to the Children's Discovery Museum. This was a really neat hands on museum for kids. Jake thoroughly enjoyed digging for dinosaur bones and checking out all of the displays in the museum. His favorite part, of course was the gift shop...oh how I just love a museum gift shop. We ended up with a relatively cheap purchase of dinosaur goo...yes, he loves the goo.

This was a really neat display on the power of water.

Jake putting together a dinosaur puzzle.

Our last stop was at the IMAX theater where we watched a 3-D movie on dolphins and whales. I'm a sucker for anything 3-D. I love to feel like the animals are right there in front of me. It took all that I had to keep from reaching out to "touch" them! That was it for day 2.

Chattanooga or Bust!! Vacation Day 1

We left town Monday morning headed to Chattanooga, TN for a little family vacation or "vay-cay-shent" as Jake calls it. The trip up wasn't too bad, until the last 10-15 minutes when Jake decided that it was time to be there...NOW! It took us exactly 6 hours, thankfully, my passengers have good sized bladders! We checked into our hotel which was right in the middle of downtown Chattanooga. Jake of course had to go check out the pool...he was ultra impressed that they had a pool and a jacuzzi!

We then headed out to the Tennessee Aquarium. The hotel boasts that it is within walking distance of the downtown attractions...well, it is, but not for a 4 year old who suddenly thinks that walking is not as fun as it sounded 2 blocks ago and its not fun for the 2 parents who have to carry a 42 pound 4 year old down the street! Regardless, we made it there, covered in sweat...did I mention that the heat index was over 100 degrees, it was.

The aquarium was nice and Jake thoroughly enjoyed it. If you ever get a chance to go to the TN Aquarium, go. It was lots of fun. Jake's favorite creatures were the pot-bellied sea horses. They looked like little old men seahorses! We had a blast listening to the things Jake would say about the animals and watching his expressions when rounding a corner and seeing another display of amazing animals. He even petted the stingrays and sharks.

We left the aquarium at closing time and headed to Sticky Fingers to have some delicious ribs. After dinner it was back to the hotel for some much needed rest!!

Jake holds our map of Chattanooga

Jake and a life-sized Pot-Bellied Seahorse

Jake "inside" one of the aquarium tanks. Notice he's knocking on the glass. Would he be a true 4 year old boy if he didn't??

One of my favorite displays, the alligators!!

The Smile Award

These are the rules:

1. The recipient must link back the the award's creator (http://www.thebabblingsofmere.blogspot.com/)

2. You must post these rules if you recieve the award.

3. You must chose 5 people to recieve the award after recieving it yourself

4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award, as posted by Mere.

5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.

6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.

7. You must thank your giver.

Characteristics for the Smile Award:

1. Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times--we are all human)

2. Must love one another

3. Must make mistakes

4. Must learn from others

5. Must be a positive contributor to blog world

6. Must love life

7. Must love kids

Thanks Christy for the award!! I really appreciate that you think enough of me to give it to me!! I have decided to give the Smile award to these 5 blogging friends! If I left you out, don't be mad! I only had room for 5...I love all of ya'll!!

1. Kellye - Kellye is my inspiration in the world of blogging...you can tell from reading her blog that she is a very devoted wife and mother and is one of the most cheerful people that I know! It's hard to catch Kellye without a smile on her face! Most of the time she's probably smiling because of something silly that Chad or Hayden just did! My goofiness may be tied to some of those smiles! Love you Kellye!

2. Christy - Christy is the mother of two absolutely ADORABLE little girls! Christy and I went to school together from 1st - 12th grade and I am proud to claim her as one of my "oldest" friends...not old old...but she's been around for a LONG time. We live very close to each other and like her, I often wonder why we never see each other. I know that our kids would hit it off! Christy always has a smile on her face as well! Let's make a date sometime Christy!! Love you!

3. Holly - Holly is a friend from school as well. I've always thought Holly was a very cheery person! She has two darling little boys who would make any mother beam. Holly's life is always an adventure and she shares great stories about her daily adventures on her blog! I always love to read those good stories Holly! Keep 'em coming! Much love!!

4. Ann - Ann is also a friend from my High School days! Ann has been blessed with a very loving family and two cute kiddos!! Ann has always been good at sharing her joy with others! I know that she has to have her hands full with her adorable little girl MWC...and that handsome little guy, JDC. Thanks for sharing your stories Ann!! Much love!!

5. Lynn - Lynn is a sorority sister from my days at Mississippi State...Lynn was always smiling back then and seems to be just as happy now! Lynn is the mother of a beautiful little girl, Hannah Kate. Lynn and I have kept in touch with Facebook and MySpace and I am excited to know that she also has a blog. You've always been one of my favorites Lynn!! Keep those cute pictures coming!! Love You!

Big Boy Bed

We are now parents of an official big boy. We finally got Jake some big kid furniture after he told us that he was too long for his toddler bed. We took him to "the destination furniture store" and let him have his pick. He is so proud of his new bed as well as his new dinosaur bedding. We haven't had any major issues yet although he has asked us a couple of times if we would sleep in his bed with him! Well, that and he has asked if his little sister can sleep in his bed with him...little sister?? Maybe someday buddy!

Check out those dinosaurs!

And the Winner is....

Me!! I've officially been drawn to go alligator hunting for the 2nd year in a row!! I could not be more excited! We get to go to Pascagoula this year and search for a gator to beat my catch from last year. Mark's younger sister also got drawn this year for a different weekend, so technically, I may be going twice!! I'm going to start working on our team t-shirts! Go Team Hosford!!

I'm in Love!

The two rascals that cause all of the hair problems.


Not with the dogs...With a vacuum cleaner...I never thought I would be SO HAPPY about the purchase of a household appliance. We have had terrible luck with vacuums in our 6 years as a married couple but I do believe that bad luck has come to an end. We have found the perfect vacuum. It's a Dyson Animal. See, we have 2 large dogs who shed...A LOT!! This thing sucked up so much dog hair and dust/dirt that we didn't even know was lurking in our carpets. I hate carpet anyway but my husband insists on having it in the bedrooms...something about having something "soft" to step on when he gets out of bed...I told him we could get a small rug for him to step out on...but to no avail...anyway. I am thrilled that we finally broke down and purchased an animal. I think it is going to serve us well. Enjoy the photo of the beautiful new machine!

See all of that dirt? And...that's not all dog hair...it's excess carpet fuzz...we do clean regularly!

He Loves the Ladies!!

Somewhere in tonight's conversation, Jake mentioned to me that he likes girls...well, except for the one girl who pinched him at school. I didn't think a whole lot about it at the time, but as I was getting ready to update the blog, I decided to download pictures from Jake's digital camera. He's not the best photographer and the camera doesn't take the highest quality pictures but it caught exactly what he wanted to catch...A GIRL...IN A BATHING SUIT!! These pics were taken at my friend Jennifer's pool a couple of weeks ago. This is another friend's 7 year old little girl. At least he has good taste!!

It's About That Time!

Jake Man washing the gator.

Me and my Dad with my gator. She was 6'10".

That's right kids! The alligator hunting season is once again creeping up on us! I can't wait to get my name in the hat to possibly be drawn to hunt! I am a very girly girl but I tell you what, I love the adrenaline rush that you get from alligator hunting...you motor into a quiet spot up river and shine your light around...the number of red glowing eyes is breathtaking...I really don't know how to describe the feeling, but I certainly hope to be one of the lucky few this year! Keep your fingers crossed for us...we have quite a few family members who will be applying this year...my Mama included...so let's hope that at least one of us gets drawn.