Chippokes

Chippokes has become our place to getaway! Just look at the view can you blame us. We are going to really miss this BEAUTIFUL state park. It is tucked away on the James River in Surry county. It is absolutely a special getaway for our family.

Here is the Catfish that Riley caught. It was the ONLY fish that was caught and photographed. Olivia won the fishing tournament with her 13 3/4 inch Catfish, Riley took second. I feel like I need to tell about the 2 foot plus Catfish that I caught (on the princess fishing pole too)but the photo was not taken in time because my jealous husband accidentally dropped it in the water! It was HUGE! In the picture are the kids ice cream sundae rewards for the contest.

Here is Olivia feeding Jack the Donkey!
Chris really took to the goats and sheep. He got them all fired up and they began to ram everybody with their horns. The kids also got a backstage pass to see the NEW baby PEEPERS and got to pick out their very own chicken eggs. Special thanks to Rudy, a fellow Coastie that works the grounds there at the park and let the kids enjoy all of the farm animals there.
We had a great time on our last camping trip to Chippokes. Thank-you to the Patterson family for bringing us to this special place. Also thanks to Lee and Mattie Smith and Ms. Laura we had a blast camping with you all.

BUNCO!!!! :(

Well It was my last Bunco night out! I met some reallly great women playing this game. 13 different women coming together once a month to eat, drink, and role some dice(make some money too) what more could you ask for. It has been awesome for the last year and a half. Thanks to all you girls who have accepted me into your circle. Hopefully when I get back and can take my spot back and I will be ready for some great food and conversation.

Also, thank-you for my game, now I hope that I can meet 12 other girls as wonderful as all of you and start my own group out there in California! You all will be missed!

More Norfolk Zoo Pics

The Peacock was following us for sometime. The kids were almost able to touch him. Not a good idea though.

Here I the new Train that took us all the way around the zoo.

This was the first time in All the times we have been to the zoo that the Baboon was out and actually walking around. He only had out undivided attention for a few minutes because a tree seemed more interesting to him that entertaining us humans. He plopped a squat next to the tree and began to pick bark, what a life!

The Elephants were having lunch as we walked by their habitat. Looks like tons of fun! I think the sight of them eating put the idea into the 13 preschoolers that it was lunch time! Let the MELTDOWNS begin!

Norfolk Zoo

It was the annual Kids Quest Preschool trip to the Norfolk Zoo, and what a great day it was. Chris and I were both able to go with Olivia this year. Wow how the zoo has changed, the train is now up and chugging along. They are in the middle of renovating the Tiger's home right now, and what a project that is. By the time we get back to Va it will probably be almost finished. I still can't get over the fact that the Elephants are right smack dab in those peoples front yard. What a way to wake up everyday!

Shamrock Marathon 8K

This was the Shamrock 8K Marathon that Chris ran back in March. Chris even dyed his MOHAWK GREEN for the race. We were all very proud and cold after the run. His time was 48 minutes and and ?? seconds. He also ran this race with our good friends 10 year old son Jay Tipton. Jay actually smoked Chris by 2 minutes right at the end. Too bad old man! We all had a great time! In this picture Carter and Susie had made signs and were down on 19th street to cheer him on!

Chris running the last 1/4 mile to the finish!

I see a GREEN MOHAWK in the crowd, do you?

Chris and Jay right before the race

DONE!!!!

Well yesterday was officially my last day of school. I finished out my first year at TCC and now we are all preparing for our big move. Chris still has 5 weeks left and then it is game on. This will be the biggest adventure that we could possible take on. And I thought school was tough.

Going to California

Well everyone.......I figured that this would be a great way for me to be able to let ya'll know what we are going to be up to while we are on the WEST coast. I am trying this blogging thing out now to see how well I can do at it. Please don't forget us and we will never forget the awesome friends that we have made. I hope that everyone enjoys the blog and I will do my best to keep you all entertained!