Get Lost

Tucked away beneath the trees, off of the beaten path, you'll find a fabulous little spot: Beachaven Winery. It doesn't look like much if you're just passing by, but come Saturday night, the place is transformed. Picnic tables are dressed in checkered tablecloths, and blankets are spread out on the ground. THIS is Jazz on the Lawn.





The rules are simple: you bring your friends, your family; you bring a picnic; and you drink their wine. You come early, and you stay late. People come from MILES around to see the shows here on Saturday nights. But it's not just about the show; it's about the entire experience. The night is filled with not only music, but laughter and relaxation. There are people from all walks of life. And there is a dance floor made of dirt.

On THIS night, there happened to NOT be jazz...THIS night happened to feature Randy Moore and the Fabulous Suedes; a band with a mix of Rock, Country, and Blues.


It turned out to be the perfect choice for our kids to experience their first concert.


This is a place where everyone has a good time.

There were whispers from new friends:


There were secrets with your sister:


There were dads and daughters, rockin' to "Blue Suede Shoes":


There were friends gettin' down to "Proud Mary":


There were lovers, slow-dancing to "Let's Get it On":



The sun might have been going down, but the crowd showed no signs of slowing.






Another big part of this night? Just lookin' cool...











And cuddling? There was a LOT of it...






So, if you're in our neck of the woods on a Saturday night, stop on by. We've got the music, the wine, and a cozy little spot just for you.



"Give me the beat boys and free my soul; I wanna get lost in the rock and roll
and drift away..."

Wings of Flight

Be like the bird that, pausing on her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings. -Victor Hugo

Call me crazy, but I have always looked forward to the first day of school with excitement: a new year, filled with possibilities, new teachers filled with new ideas.

This year, my children won't be seeing old friends-they'll be making new ones. This year, my kids are the NEW kids.



It's a little intimidating to be at a new school, knowing no one. But they are excited-ALL of them.







I could say that they're growing up and getting bigger amd I'm sad to see them go-and all of that is true. But I'm also EXCITED for them. I want to share the excitement they have for all that this new year will bring them. My kids haven't been dreading this day-they've been looking forward to it. It makes me proud that they are so eager to meet this challenge head-on; that they are so eager to learn new things.








My children are spreading their wings, and I'm ready to watch them soar.

Adventureland

Today we set aside the Play Doh. Today we left our beds unmade. Today we hurried through our breakfast. Today we had plans.

Today called for an adventure.

I've been dying to explore this new place we're living in. There is so much to experience, right here in our small town, and today I couldn't wait any longer. I HAD to see what was out there. I knew as soon as I mentioned the word "adventure" to my kids, they'd be excited.

Three miles from our house we have a cave. To a child, there are few things more mysterious than a cave. Caves have bats! And secret rooms! And the whole caveman thing! We HAD to explore this cave.

I did a little bit of research about this park before we headed out-I wanted to know what I was getting myself into. In addition to the cave, there were hiking trails, too, for every skill level. I figured we'd check out the cave, take a little stroll on the beginner trail and everyone would be happy.



Things started out well, with this moth making fast friends with Owen.



Just a little futher down the trail we found the cave. After only a slight hesitation, the kids ran right in. You could feel the damp, cool air rushing out from the mouth.



Emerson found a little ledge to climb up on...



And Owen climbed a bit further until he was much higher than me!



There were all kinds of nooks and crannies to check out.



General consensus: This cave was cool.



Next to the cave was a small lake. You know what that means, right? Fish. And ducks. And frogs. Pretty much all my kids need to have a great time. I had to PRY them away from the water's edge.



There was a short trail that wound it's way around the lake, and I thought we'd take that route back to our starting point. Along the way, we came upon this FABULOUS tree, beautiful not only for its glorious roots, but for the thousands of names that had been carved into its bark throughout the years.



Soon, the trail along the lake took a slight turn into the forest. We faced a small hill, but the kids were in good spirits so we climbed to the top. There to greet us was this gigantic spider web.



I paused just long enough to snap a quick photo and then pushed onward, not wanting to meet the eight-legged creature that had created it.

We enjoyed this trail-the ups and downs, stopping occasionally to point out a bird, or a bug, or a tree, or a rock. And who could resist a few photos?



These two trees, were favorites of the kids and they all wanted a turn to pose for a picture between them:







Further and further down this trail we walked. Deeper and deeper into the forest, we saw fewer and fewer people walk past us. Soon the questions started coming. "Mom, are we almost out of here yet?" "Mom, why aren't there any other people out here?" "Mom, did you bring any juice boxes?" "Mom, did you bring your phone?"

I realized that we had somehow ended up on the 3 mile, experienced-hiker loop, rather than the quick and easy loop I had planned on. I figured we were probably smack-dab in the middle of that trail, and turning around would be just as bad as continuing on. Alayna was getting heavier by the minute on my back and the kids were drenched with sweat. We found a little bench and I MIRACULOUSLY produced five semi-cold juice boxes from my backpack. We all chugged them instantly, not even stopping for a breath.



I knew the worst part was yet to come, as we still had to find our way out of this forest and the biting bugs were starting to swarm. So, we took off down that trail with our spirits minorly refreshed. After a few more minutes, the juice boxes had worn off and a new set of comments were voiced: "Mom, I need Dad to come and carry me." "Mom, I can't walk anymore." "Mom, YOU carry me." I decided to sing a song, hoping to take their minds off of this situation. Owen suggested I sing "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" but as I was singing, Emerson interrupted me to tell me she HATES that bear and MOUNTAINS ARE NO FUN. I'm pretty sure NINETY-FIVE PERCENT of the trail we hiked was UPHILL. SERIOUSLY.

Then there were MORE comments: "Mom, WHERE is the end of this trail?!" "MOM, maybe we should call someone to come and save us." "Mom, I wish you had chosen a DIFFERENT adventure."

And then, for the last half of a mile, Greyson just cried. Well, wailed is more like it. He was crying so loudly I was SURE they were going to send out a search party to FIND THE CRYING BOY AND MAKE HIM STOP.

I think I might have started crying, except I had produced SO much sweat already that I'm pretty sure my body was completely out of moisture.

Just then we turned the last corner and the end was in sight. The REAL end. As we got into the car, Owen's final remark was, "Mom, I don't ever want to come here again. Until Winter."

Agreed.

You think that's the end of this story, don't you? Well, it ain't over yet, y'all. I could NOT let that be the way this adventure ended. There's only one thing left to do when your car tells you this:



That's right. We needed a water park. Badly. Luckily, we've got one just over the border in Kentucky, and it was PERFECT.

Perfect for Alayna:



Perfect for Greyson:



Perfect for Emerson:



Perfect for Owen:



It was JUST what we all needed. We splashed, and played, and sprayed, and just sat around and it was HEAVENLY.







And the ride home? Well, that was quiet.



And THAT, my friends, is how we have an adventure around these parts.