Summer Vacation 2017...Day 1!

Summer Vacation 2017, Day 1!!! 

Can you believe that we are in the dead center of another summer? Time is flying too fast and I can't keep up!

We decided to hit Greg's parents house again, after all...they built a 5 bedroom house just for us to visit. We are a 2 vacation car family now that there are 10 of us. I hate that it has to be that way as I love all of my children in one car, but it is best for all (9 hours with kids is crazy when you are cramped!)

So, there is us....and there is them... 

We love to find new things along the way (and the kids get a nice break) so we decided to have our overnight stop in Wytheville, VA. A nice little town that is known for being the birthplace of First Lady, Edith Bolling Wilson, wife #2 of President Woodrow Wilson. Did you know he was married twice? I didn't and now I do! Widowers that crossed paths made for a great union. 

There is a Museum you can tour for FREE (donations welcome) and for a fee, you can walk upstairs to the large apartment where her birth actually took place! They were closed when we got there so we may try tomorrow :)

When we first entered town, we immediately took notice of one of the roadside attractions I had researched..

Yeah, that's a big pencil! 

Just one of those things that was a cool idea for an office supply store sign and became a cool attraction! Made of metal, not wood (wonder if they ever have lightening strike issues?!!) Bonus...walk a few stores down and see a large paint bucket sign!

One of the big deals in this little town is a hot dog counter, "Skeeters" 

This place began as a general store that just happened to sell hot dogs. When the hot dogs outgrew the store, it became all about those. People for miles came to try out these awesome dogs! First time, I have ever seen an actual red wiener!

What is awesome is that the building still has the original lunch counter and stools, flooring and signs. There is such a cute setup every few seats at the counter...

No fancy napkins, just simply white!

Did you know that on a small scale, the Skeeter Dog is used in the local hot dog eating contest and on a much larger one, it was listed in the Top 64 Hot Dogs in America in Everyday by Rachael Ray magazine!

After trying out the "Skeeter," which according to the outside of the building, has been served to 9 million (really, it's true! They have lovingly crossed out the 6 and wrote in a 9) we took in a few little sights here and there. 

I love a good mural! 

We made our way out of town before the rain came pouring and hung out inside until it passed. 

While in our room, we had a freaky scare! My son dropped something down beside his bed and reached down to pick it up. When he lifted the dust ruffle...he found this staring back at him...

I know! WTH!!! I am not sure if it was freakier that this was hiding under just far enough that we had to lay on the bed and hang down to poke with a hanger to see if it was alive, the snarling teeth or the fact that the housekeeper obviously didn't clean enough if he/she missed this!

Yikes!

The pool was calling the kids so after the rain, we wandered down. Hubby forgot our 6 year old's vest so she was a little iffy about even getting in the shallow end. The face says it all....

Eventually, they were all in and cooling off in the still blazing sun. My littlest princess loves this time with her big sister.

Day 1 is done. Will see you soon with Day 2!

Book Review: All Things Bright and Beautiful by Make Believe Ideas

 Book Review: All Things Bright and Beautiful by Make Believe Ideas

"I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review"

Book Summary:

All Things Bright and Beautiful, a charming new padded board book for young children, will be a bright, glittery addition to any home.

This padded board book with plastic handle sparkles with its eye-catching cover and colorful, fun illustrations. With glitter on every page, your little one will be engaged with the lyrics from the classic hymn “All Things Bright and Beautiful.” Enjoy celebrating God’s beautiful creation through this adorable book that your children will want to read over and over again!
The padded covers, thick pages, and handle are perfect for little hands, and the glittery artwork and simple, classic lyrics will appeal to any young child. All Things Bright and Beautiful will delight your family as you cuddle up and read all about God’s care in creation.

My Review:

I gave this book to my 3 year old and she fell in love. It got her full attention with the colorful artwork and especially the handle so she was able to bring it to and fro. I enjoyed very much sitting down with her and going over each fun page. To be able to explain to my little one everything God has created and the beauty in each and every thing. A great book!

Book Review: When God Made You by Matthew Paul Turner

Book Summary: From early on, children are looking to discover their place in the world and longing to understand how their personalities, traits, and talents fit in. The assurance that they are deeply loved and a unique creation in our big universe is certain to help them spread their wings and fly.

Through playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantastical illustrations, When God Made You inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin to create for themselves.

‘Cause when God made YOU, somehow God knew
That the world needed someone exactly like you!

My Review: A wonderful way of understanding how we are all our own creation by God and are special in every way! We are unique, we are individuals...we are Godly. A fun and colorful cover draws you into the book and reading material that pulls you further. A great read!

Book Review: God Loves Daddy & Me by Bonnie Rickner Jensen

 

Book Review: God Loves Daddy & Me by Bonnie Rickner Jensen

"I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review"

Book Summary:

God loves Daddy and me, He listens when we pray, When we tell Him “Thank You,” it’s the best part of our day!

Cuddle up cozy-close with an adorable reminder of God’s love for daddies and their little ones. Celebrating loving fathers, precious children, and the God who loves them all, God Loves Daddy and Me will remind parents and little ones of how much they are loved.

My Review:


A great way to remind ourselves how wonderful our Daddy is. The book shows so many ways that a Dad's love can go far with their child...from camping to chores, to walks and talks. Colorful illustrations draw you into this book and keep your child's attention. A must have!!

Consumer Retail Website Review is listed on Barnes & Noble.com under the name King617

Book Review: Make it Yours by Christine Schmidt

Book Summary: Transform everyday objects into handcrafted pieces to wear, share, and display.

In Yellow Owl’s Make It Yours, you’ll learn techniques for bringing personal touches to objects all around your home. Upgrade your plain scarf with a colorful abstract design. Turn a dresser into an eye-catching art deco showpiece. Whip up a desert-inspired quilt to enliven your living room. Expert printer and Yellow Owl Workshop founder, Christine Schmidt, shares her trade secrets for creating gorgeous projects using unexpected materials, from gold leaf to cake fondant. What’s best: the included Yellow Owl Workshop templates and techniques can be mixed and matched to create countless more projects! Featuring inventive ideas for every room, skill level, and time constraint, Yellow Owl’s Make It Yours will teach you to print, stamp, stencil, and dye your way to a personalized life.
 
Projects include:


   • Monogram Leather Clutch
   • Roll Stamp Table Linens
   • Fruit Shoji Blinds
   • Shibori Dyed Bed Linens
   • Plaid Tote
   • Upholstered Chair with Hand-Printed Fabric
   • DIY Delftware

My Review: I wanted to begin these projects before I even opened the book! The cover is very colorful and fun! Every wanted to upcycle furniture? Design linens? This is the book for you! It has all of these ideas and so much more! Templates in the back of book puts everything right at your fingertips! A great book!

Book Review: God Loves Mommy & Me by Bonnie Rickner Jensen

Book Review: God Loves Mommy & Me by Bonnie Rickner Jensen

"I received this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review"

Book Summary:

God loves Mommy and me, He knows we love Him too, When we pray we always say, “You’re so good, God—thank You!”

Snuggle in cozy-close with a sweet reminder of God’s love for mommies and their little ones. Celebrating loving mothers, precious children, and the God who loves them all, God Loves Mommy and Me will remind parents and little ones of how much they are loved.

My Review:

Spring was just bursting at the seams of this board book when it arrived! Although this book can be used any time of the year, it couldn't have come at a more perfect time....Easter! It is bright and colorful with adorable pics that really show the emotion of the characters. It is a fun way of teaching God's love to even the littlest of people. Love this book! Highly recommended!

Consumer Retail Website Review is listed on Barnes & Noble.com under the name King617

Book Review: Life After...A Novel by Katie Ganshert

Book Review: Life After...A Novel by Katie Ganshert

Book Summary:

It could have been me.

Snow whirls around an elevated train platform in Chicago. A distracted woman boards the train, takes her seat, and moments later a fiery explosion rips through the frigid air, tearing the car apart in a horrific attack on the city’s transit system. One life is spared. Twenty-two are lost.

A year later, Autumn Manning can’t remember the day of the bombing and she is tormented by grief—by guilt. Twelve months of the question constantly echoing. Why? Why? Why? Searching for answers, she haunts the lives of the victims, unable to rest.

Paul Elliott lost his wife in the train bombing and wants to let the dead rest in peace, undisturbed and unable to cause more pain for his loved ones. He wants normalcy for his twelve-year-old daughter and young son, to see them move beyond the heartbreak. But when the Elliotts and Autumn are unexpectedly forced together, he fears she’ll bring more wreckage in her wake. 

In Life After, Katie Ganshert’s most complex and unforgettable novel yet, the stirring prose and authentic characters pose questions of truth, goodness, and ultimate purpose in this emotionally resonant tale.

My Review:

When the book arrived, the cover had that modern city look that immediately put you into the setting of where the book takes place. Autumn Manning has been through a very traumatic experience. She survives an explosion which takes place on the city's transit system while 22 other lives are lost. A year later, and no memories of that day, she is simply "existing." With her random jigsaw puzzles to keep her busy, she doesn't do much outside of the home. Letters begin arriving from a young person that she soon begins conversing with through the mail. Will these letters bring back the memories that she feels she needs to overcome her guilty grief? A very compelling book that keeps you reading til the very end.