Vote 2008

Thanks Jeff

I have to send out a HUGE thanks to Jeff for letting us use his boat this weekend. It was SO MUCH FUN!!!! The kids, Jimmy and I all had a great time just being out on the water. It took a little time getting our "sea legs", but was a lot of fun. Classic, we get the boat in the water when Jimmy looks at me and says "the keys are in my pocket at home". So there I was holding a boat to a dock with my three kids running around wondering if they can go swimming. Normally, this would not be problem, but we were putting the boat down in at Armstrongs and it was DISGUSTING down there. We learned our lesson, on Sunday we put it in at Duck Lake...way better. I think I want to sell the motorhome and buy a boat. It is nice to just be doing nothing, but something!!

Yes, Eeyore had to boat with us as well. Heaven forbid we leave without him!!!

Isaac really enjoyed the "wind in his hair"!

Alli just wanted to play at the beach...well, that and "go fast" in the boat!!

Ash just wanted to drive the boat. I am getting a little nervous over her "abilites" to want to drive boats, 4-wheelers...AND RACECARS!!!!

Don't Make Jimmy Mad...

My word of advise, don't make Jimmy mad. As you can see if the below picture, Jimmy is telling Isaac not to splash him. Jimmy and Ash were "warming up", but Isaac was having nothing to do with it...



So Jimmy picked him up and proceeded to "TOSS" him into the water.

If you notice the smile on his face, I don't think Isaac was all that concerned about getting "tossed" in.

LESSON LEARNED: DON'T MESS WITH JIMMY!!!

Ok, lesson was not learned...it happened again...and again...and again!

Misc. Nashville

If you ever just want to "get away", I would totally recommend Nashville...even if you are not into country music, but it does make it better if you do! It is just a fun town with LOTS to do. There are a million little bars, including some chain bars with NO cover charge. You don't even need to be a drinker (as you all know I am not by my last post about Jack), the music: country, blues, jazz ALL GREAT!!!

The most handsome man alive (next to you, James), George Strait...the very coat he was wearing when he got inducted into the Hall of Fame

Inside the Ryman, the picture does not do the place justice!!!

This has a name...don't ask me what...can't remember. It is the same as the one in Greece. I guess Nashville is considered the "Athens of the South". They actually went to Greece and modeled this building after the original. They said it is with 1/4 of an inch to the orginal. Very cool to see in person, the detail is amazing.



Picture of the Belle Meade Mansion. We ate at a restaurant where we met to head cook, Martha Stamps. Now, I am not a cook so this meant nothing to me, but I guess she has written several book and is very good at what she does. I have to say the food was fabulous and I had my very first fried green tomato.

Date Night

We made it to the Wild Horse Saloon a little after 6:30. I was told when we ordered the tickets that the doors opened at 6 and the first show (Fisher Stevenson) started around 8:30. Perfect, we were not suppose to be there until around 7:30. Good thing we left early. There was a wait to get in (even with tickets). We got in sat down, around 7:20 and Fisher went on stage by 7:30...nice! Glad it started right away, SUPER mad if we would have come later.

I thought this horse was cute. I got a little bored waiting in line, what can I say??

Jimmy and his "lady friend".

Me with that same lady. Jimmy was not excited about all the photo opportunites, but he played along...FOR ONE PICTURE:)!

This is Keith Anderson. He did a really good job. This is the only good picture that I took that actually show how close we were. You know what I mean, we had GREAT tickets, but my camera made us look like we were in nose bleed section that or someone kept putting a "body part" in my shot.

All in all terrific! I think I almost liked Chris Young better. He won Nashville Star, love country music, have never watched Nashville Star! He did a good job and I actually have heard quite a bit of his music on sirius. Gotta love sirius!!!

We are heading home today~see you when I get back!!!!

We Made It

Two days down, two days to go! This is us waiting for the taxi to take us to the hotel. Notice Jimmy already doing work. Gotta love it!!!
This is the original "paper" to the song Swingin' by John Anderson. Not a big deal really, but it was my favorite song when I was about 4 years old. I use to sit on the toilet singing this song...swingin' no less.
Outside the Country Music Hall of Fame. A really cool place to go if you are ever in Nashville. I have to say that Nashville really is a very nice place. LOTS to see and do and everyone is SO NICE!!!
This is me on stage at the Ryman. A very cool place with a lot of history. It was almost humbling to be on stage there. Sorry the photo is kind of blury...an 80 year old man took it! I really don't have any super cool pictures. I have learned a long time ago not to take a lot of pictures of "things". I like to have people in the photos with the "things", being that I am by myself, "things" is all I can take pictures of. Did that make sense?????
Bar after country bar where everyone singing is really good. I am telling you, Nashville really is a cool place. Everything is right there. All the record labels are on one street in these small plain buildings, the capital is right there, a hospital, BAR AFTER BAR...all right there. Yet, it is very clean and fun.

We also went to Jack Daniels. I did not bring my camera, it was raining when we left and I was told most of it was outside and I could not bare the idea of "hurting" my baby:)! There was really not a lot to take pictures of...nothing really to it, but I did meet a new friend, Goose. A BIG guy, missing some teeth, wearing overalls...but GREAT! He hooked me up with some Gentlemens Jack...smooth going down...his words not mine...I thought I was going to shoot out fire. It was burning ALL THE WAY DOWN! But, I had to drink Jack and Jack Daniels. Jimmy only drank beer...what a dweeb!!!

Today I am going on a tour of Belle Meade Mansion, having lunch, and going to do some "upscale shopping". What ever that is. I so do not fit in with these ladies! Oh well, I am in Tennessee, I might as well make the best of it!!!

Thanks again Mom for taking the kids. I know they are a bit much:)!!! I hope you learned your lesson, don't take three kids grocery shopping by yourself. Crazy fool took the Camp Chaos kids shopping...ALONE...I am not sure what she was thinking...she must have been drunk with all the love she was receiving from the kids! Don't worry Mom, I got you a bottle of that smooth Gentlemen's Jack...it will make you forget all about the week with my kids!!! Love you Mom, Dad and you crazy kids!!!!

Sparklers

I was playing with the different settings on my camera and I think these turned out rather cool. I have not mastered the art of the sparkler and the kid both being in focus...maybe you can't. I guess I won't know until next year when I play around again. I love my camera and taking pictures...especially when I get to play around with new settings. I wish I new how to use the different setting more...Dirk that is a hint if you are reading this!!!!

Had to get one picture of Brady. I am trying to like this dog...go with it! He really is a good dog, we just don't have time for him. Poor thing!!!