We're in Kansas

May 21

Late last night Victoria and I were texting.... She said " It feels like you've all been gone quite long enough" Yes it's true!
We miss all of you at home.
-Carla

The night before last night there were big storms where we were. We didn't really realize how big they were at first, we were just watching the thunder and lightening. Mom was really tired and wanted to stop driving for the night so we just pulled off at some random exit that happened to lead to a state park. As we get to the campsite area we got texts from Dad telling us there are tornados and 60 mile an hour winds in our area. We park our camper and turn our little radio on and hear the weather warnings. Turns out, we went down in a valley with tons of trees and the storm passed over us without any serious winds. We laid out on the back bed and watched the lightning.

Yesterday, we drove the rest of the way to NITOC and hung out with some friends and watched some speeches. We camped right next to the cabins where the Leanders are staying.

May 22
Tait, Tess and Drew are outside with a group from Co. We're all staying in the same area.
Lori Leander and I made dinner in the RV for our families but we couldn't turn away the knocks on the door from their friends so we had about 14 over for dinner although they didn't all eat.
At one point we had every one sing happy birthday to my dear Mother in law she is 80 today.
I sent it off to her and we all had ice cream bars. After the kids left three sets of parents came to visit and I feel so loved and blessed :)
I felt poorly this am, so we got a slow start, but the camp ground has laundry facilities and so I filled 6 of the washing machines all at once, how grand to get that much laundry done so quickly.
I judged and timed some wonderful speeches and had some really wonderful conversations and interactions with friends.
My favorite part of this NITOC trip has been to see Kasey, it's been a year and I forgot what a really wonderful young man he is, how fun it is to have him around. His wit coupled with respect and kindness towards those around him is unparalleled.
I am disappointed that we are behind on memorizing but we do have two chapters memorized and the trip is not over.
It's 11:30 so I'm going to sleep... I've told the kids they could stay up as late as they like....I wonder when that will be. Goodnight all Carla

Peabody Ducks and National Civil Rights Museum

This morning mom went into our bathroom and found that Drew's shampoo had spilled all over the medicine cabinet and down the wall. Drew cleaned up what he could pretty well, but there are still some remnants. Thankfully, it's not such a bad smell. (being old spice)

We went and saw the Peabody Ducks do their little march from the elevator to the pond in the Lobby of the Peabody Hotel. There were tons of people gathered around to see this event and there was dramatic music and a Duck Master dressed in a fancy suit. It was fun, not so much because of the ducks, it was everything else.

Then we went to the National Civil Rights Museum, which is where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. It was very inspiring. It's so strange to think that there was still racial segregation and discrimination even just 50 years ago in our country.

After the Museum we started heading toward Arkansas where we'll spend a couple days at NITOC. Mom has seen about 8 armadillos dead on the side of the road. In our area every once in a while you see a deer but no armadillos :)

Bookstore and driving

Last night we were all sleeping so soundly because it was quiet time at the Yogi Bear campground. Then all of the sudden, it sounded like we were in an auditorium with an enormous crowd clapping and cheering. That's how loud the rain was. Then there was a flash of lightning so bright it lit up the whole camper even with all the blinds down and curtains. There was thunder too. It was like a big party in the middle of the night.

This morning we started out heading east to meet Amy at an airport in Georgia because she missed her flight. But she got on a different plane, so we turned around and went back toward the cool bookstore. Tait led a really nice church service for us in the car on the way back.

We started a license plate game. We are all trying to be the first to find as many different state plates as we can. So far Drew is winning. Tait and I are on a team now.

We got a cheese steak to split for 11zies so Tait could experience the deliciousness with us. It was very good.

The bookstore was great. We were in there for a few hours. I got a book on floral design, Drew got a Robin Hood comic book, mom got some classics and one on Friendship, and Tait got one with a bunch of short stories and one other. I could have stayed in there for longer, it was very fun.

We are on our way to Memphis now. We got some yummy strawberries from a guy on the side of the road. :D

Now mom is buying us ice cream! Oh Boy!

Corvettes and Carnton Plantation

This morning we went to the Corvette Museum. We wanted to see how they assembled cars with robots, but they closed that part because they're changing it around for the new Corvette. So we ended up not paying for the museum and drove to Nashville. We did see a few sporty cars anyway.

Mom decided to take us to the Carnton Plantation. The area was so pretty. I took a picture of the road with trees growing over. When we all got to the plantation we were pretty tired and didn't feel like going on another tour. So mom went on a tour without Drew, Tait and I. I kinda regret missing out on the tour which apparently was really good. But if I had gone, I would have missed out on writing a song with Drew and Tait about our trip so far. We haven't finished the song yet because the trip isn't over, but it's coming along splendidly. I'll see about posting it later.

We plan on going to a cool book store tomorrow. I'm not sure what else we'll do. We're staying at the Yogi Bear RV park tonight. We all threw the frisbee around until it got too hard to see the frisbee. At one point in our game I placed myself in a position to catch the frisbee, and I did, with my face. Now I have a little bump on my forehead, which is kinda cool. Surprisingly, I hardly ever get those.

It is really hot and humid over here. It is so nice to be plugged in so we have the air conditioning on.

Mammoth Caves and yummy food

This morning we drove to the caves and got set up with a historical tour. Our tour guide was Ranger Joel. He was funny and made the tour interesting. The cave itself was amazing. It was had some really big "rooms" that were impressive. (hence the name mammoth caves) It also had a really fun windy, narrow, low ceiling path (one of the few places I had to duck) They called that section "fat man's misery". My favorite part in the cave was this part where you could look up and up without seeing the ceiling it was so high, and then you looked down right next to the path and there was a hole that went down even farther. They built a staircase there and that's how we climbed up out of the caves. I was happy mom and Tait came this time. It's more fun with more people ooing and ahhing. I tried to take some pictures but it was dark In the caves and the camera made it look even darker, so you can't really see the awesomeness.

We drove a little more and got ourselves close to the Bowling Green.

I finished the book I started yesterday while Tait read aloud "Tales of Ancient Egypt". He also read us some poetry during lunch.

For dinner we went to a very busy restaurant and got some Kentucky food. It was all really good. It was funny hearing everyone around us had an accent.

Hanging out in Purcellville

Two days ago: Amy had the day off so we were going to hang out nearby. We planned to go on a little hike, but mom was not feeling very good. She and Dad went to the doctor and they diagnosed mom with Lyme disease and gave her 4 weeks worth of antibiotics. While the parents were at the doctor Drew, Tait and I threw the frisbee around. Tait said that we're a lot better and are actually pretty good now :D

Later, Creighton, Drew, Tait, Amy, and I all went to the park down the road from the Kucks' house and played groundies. We came up with a really cool variation where everyone (besides the one who's "it") has to have a buddy and not let go of your buddy's hand the whole time you're running/climbing away. Tait was very impressive and manly as he swung Amy (and me too) around the play structure with one arm. We also climbed a really tall tree at the park. Then Tait was all sweet and bought us drinks and ice cream. We had a lovely time.

Yesterday, Creighton and Dad left early in the morning to fly home. Mom, Drew and I ran some errands with Tait, and then picked up Amy from work and we went and got some fro yo. We did more errands and then Tait took us to the park where he proposed to Amy. It was very pretty. We got Amy and then went home where Mrs. Kucks made us a yummy dinner. It was so fun being with the Kucks. They are so sweet and it is easy to talk comfortably and familiarly with them. I feel very blessed.

Today, we're on the road again headed for the Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. Tait brought a bunch of books and is letting me read one of them right now. It is so happy to have him with us. :)