Fort Donelson

Fort Donelson located in Dover, TN

was our third stop that was part of the 

National Park Service. 

Michigan did supply union troops during the civil war, but geographically was far removed from the actual fighting. This was the kids first visit to an actual battle ground.

The kids were given a Junior Ranger book to fill out.  If they completed the pages assigned they would receive a special pin.  To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, a special pin can be earned if you visit three Civil War parks before 2015.

The Cumberland River 

Taking the oath as Junior Rangers.  

They got more trading cards too.

The fort is home to Eagles. We think we saw some flying around, but they were far away to say for sure.

We had great weather and a nice visit.  

The kids however were excited to head out and reach our destination to the parents in Rutherford.

Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave

Is the world's longest know cave. 

Names on the walls written before 1941 are considered part of the history.
Writing your name on the wall now is a federal offense. 

Nathan and I visited Mammoth cave in 2001, it was fun to return with our kids.

  We took the historical tour.  Part of the tour focuses on the life of the caves first guide, Steven Bishop.  He was a slave of the man who first opened the caves for paid tours. At the time the short tour was 6-8 hours and the long was 12-16. He became well known and sought after to lead tours.  The guide told us Steven learned what he could from the people he was guiding. He educated himself and learned several languages including Latin. In 1856 we had his freedom. He and his wife had been saving to move to Liberia, but he enjoyed what he did and kept exploring the cave and died 18 months later.

We had the awkward family photo while at the falls. This is the classic kids on vacation photo. 

This was called fat man's misery a narrow passageway.  We had people behind us and couldn't stop to get a great family shot, this was the best I could do while on the move.

Mammoth Cave is part of the National Park Service. They provide you with a junior ranger book.  They give you page requirements based on age, once you fulfill them you earn a  junior ranger pin.

Elliot survived the cave, he said he didn't need to go through it again.
His purchase at the gift shop was a stuffed animal, of course. By the time we returned to Michigan after our vacation he would have acquired four new ones. 

As we were leaving we spotted some deer.

LIncoln's birthplace

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Our next stop on our way to Tennessee was Lincoln's Birthplace.  The birthplace is part of the National Park service in Hodgenville, KY.

A recreated cabin.

The source of water for his family when he was a boy.

 Elliot was asked what he learned by watching the movie on the life of the 16th President.

 Abraham Lincoln's grandfather was named Abraham Lincoln.  

What did I learn? He had a sister named Sarah.

The Lincolns were well respected and were closer to middle class in their income during this time. 

Jane found this hat to spend her money on, I love it on her.

The kids were given a sheet of questions when they could answer them correctly they were given trading cards as a prize. 

54 steps how old he was when he was killed

With malice toward none with charity for all.

Falls of the Ohio State Park

On our way to Tennessee we stopeed at a couple of places.
The first place was the Falls of the Ohio State Park. 
The Falls we visited were located not in Ohio but Clarksville, Indiana.

This is the Ohio River

Wooly mammoth tusk found in 1998.

The main attraction is the exposed fossil bed.

Jane noticed this looked like a finger. 

Picture time

I should have stand or he should have sat.
What is a family vacation without a few awkward poses?

Elliot noticed this looked like a giant sling shot. 

Fossils found in the mounds can be taken home.

A Tennessee Thanksgiving/Christmas

We travel to Tennessee every Thanksgiving to visit Nathan's parents and brother.  We take this opportunity to exchange gifts and celebrate Christmas.

This year was extra special because not only were we able to make it, but all the Sweeney kids.

  Originally this photo was on the steps, but Aaron (the one in the hat between Jane and Elliot) refused to stand up, so we came over to him.

We  participated in the American tradition of breaking the wishbone.
Elliot pulled too soon, so grandpa got some of it on the top. he determined it was a tie. 

Jane told the history of the cornucopia
Elliot -not pictured, but I think he is on video, gave a speech about how Native Americans made tents.

We picked up the British tradition of the Christmas Cracker while we were in Hong Kong.
I rounded up my Marks-n-Spencer clearance kid crackers from last year and found some at World Market for the adults. 
Everyone seemed to think it was fun.

The wonderful food.
My mother-n-law makes the best yam yam sweet potatoes ever! no marshmallows, just a pecan topping that is delicious.

Jane helped grandma bake three pecan pies and two pumpkin. I'm convinced that I alone at a whole pecan pie over the course of a week.

Played some kickball, even grandma joined in on a game.

We played a game of 500 

Actually we played several games.

The rules: one person throws and yells out a number and if you catch it you get those points. When a person gets to 500 they win and they take a turn throwing.

The Grandparents hid the kids gifts, requiring a little effort on their part before opening. I like this idea as it makes the gift giving time go a little longer and keeps the anticipation up for the kids.

Benjamin loved his spider webs.

Decorating for Christmas

Many many blessings, and a lot to be thankful for. 

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30 something

latefall from outypants on Vimeo.
I turned 35 on November 5th.  I have always made an effort to really enjoy my birthday regardless of what was happening on that day. 

 This year, I tried to slow down the day and really appreciate the kids. I felt their presence in my life as such a blessing.  I gave them a half day of school, so I think my excessive hugs and kisses was overlooked by them. Another hug from mom or math drills, not such a hard choice after all.

The kids had free bowling coupons so we headed over to Hudsonville Lanes.  My first throw was a strike. If only I could be consistent I would be a pro.  Maybe my arm gets tired, maybe I start to overthink my stragety, whatever the reason my pathetic bowling pattern of strike/spare/ gutter/ missed spare/ gutter etc.. Keeps me from achieving greatness.  If I break a hundred, I can do a victory dance.   

A special gift this year from my husband was an orchid plant. These are my favorite flowers, one of the biggest thrills of my life was to visit the orchid garden in Singapore. My first thought when I saw him bring it in the door was, I hope I don't kill it.  

Inspired by one of the several cooking shows we watch on youtube, Nathan made yakisoba

Yakisoba is basically fried noodles with sauce. But if you are like me when it comes to Asian cuisine it really is never that simple. 

Some modifications were made, either by experimenting or by necessity. I think this is a dish that would be worth trying again and again to alter it your individual taste.

This was the second time that week that Nathan made dinner. I am thankful for a husband who is good to me all year around and not only on special occasions.

The kids had scout programs that night, so after we dropped them off, we headed over to Biggby where I redeemed my free birthday drink of my choice. I chose a pumpkin spice latte. 

A great day!