Back on the Green

The weather this summer has been particularly not-cooperative for golf. We've had more rain and thunderstorms than I can remember from previous years, so the boys haven't had as many sessions with Cal as they'd like.

But, today we were back at the River Landing Teaching Center for more fun drills and swing exercises with Cal. Despite the long break, Thomas and Michael continue to improve, and are looking forward to getting back out on the golf course soon.

  

Thomas, Michael, and Cal

Not quite what that club is used for

Bikes

While he was in California, this happened.

Touring on Uncle Chuck's bike

And once he got home, this happened.

"Safety First" on Mike's bike

Yes, that is an actual motorcycle helmet on his head, bought with his own allowance money. Michael is just a safety conscious kind of guy.

Built In Screen

This is Michael lying in his bunk bed with a very self-satisfied grin on his face. Why, you may ask, does Michael have a very self-satisfied grin on his face? I'll tell you why Michael has a very self-satisfied grin on his face. He just invented something. And he built it with no adult assistance. And inventing something and building it with no adult assistance always leaves Michael with a very self-satisified grin on his face.

And what, you may ask, did Michael build that left . . . well, you get it.

Here it is:

 

This is our tablet playing an episode of M*A*S*H. It has been mounted on the under-side of the upper bunk so that Michael can lie in bed and watch his favorite show without having to hold the tablet. He accomplished this by attaching those two wood slats you see perpendicular to the bunk slats that hold the mattress. Simple, clever, and quite effective. Thus, self-satisfied grin.

Home Again

After an uneventful flight from California to Atlanta, Squishy Bear arrived back on his home turf after a fun-filled two weeks with Uncle Chuck and Aunt Karen. Eventfulness made an appearance, however, when David arrived at the gate to find ... no Squishy Bear. Caught in traffic to the airport, plus bottlenecked getting through security, plus the flight arriving 20 minutes early, and Michael had been relocated by the "sweeper" from his gate to another area. It took a few minutes for the gate attendant to figure out where he was, but eventually David found him and brought him home.

Found at the airport

Michael thoroughly enjoyed his adventure, and was happy to be back home in Georgia with his family. Yes, even his oldest brother.

Favorite way to ride in the car

Teen Tubing

In celebration of Andrea's birthday, the valiant Mama E loaded a gaggle of teens into The Beast and drove to Helen, GA for a day of Tubin' the Hooch (floating down the Chattahoochee River is large donut-shaped inflatables). It was later reported that everyone, including Mama E, had a fabulous time.

Alex, Hannah, Andrea, Thomas, and friends

Off to Moon Shade Hollow

In what seems to be becoming an annual tradition, we packed up the kids, the dogs, and Popper, and headed for Moon Shade Hollow for the long Independence Day weekend.

Jasmine, Jenny, and Ruger ... always first into the car

By now the dogs (including newbie Ruger) know when we're going camping, and whine to be put in the back of the Sequoia while we're packing, until we load them up.

Rufus doesn't whine, but he's usually settled into his spot in the car while we finish hitching up the camper.

Rufus ... always second into the car

It's not a long drive, which makes it a nice, simple get-away. Everyone knows we're close when we pull into Leon's for bait and ice.

We know we're almost there....

This is my favorite part of the entire drive ... the road the house is on.

Favorite view from the road

Even the dogs know what's up when we pull into the drive.

Ruger: "We're almost there!"  William: "Don't drool on me!"

New sign!

When we're having heavy rains, the lake often rises several feet, making Popper's usual spot down by the boathouse a bit soggy (or just plain flooded). So, we dropped her in the parking area just under Blueberry Hill, nicely snuggled under the trees. I think this is my favorite spot for her.

Popper's new favorite spot, overseen by Hostess Kit

But, THIS is my favorite spot for ME. Sitting on the wrap-around porch enjoying the view.

Ahhhh ... now we're on holiday!

Bad Biscuits

This is Biscuits. With a dead bird which she caught and expired. Which she was batting around on the floor while I was doing yoga. It kinda killed my Zen.

Bad Kittie