Going on a Bear Hunt

Well not exactly a hunt. I think this bear came looking for us. Let me begin by it all started with our annual trip to Gatlinburg. Everyone who knows me and knows me well knows there's no place I'd rather be than in a cabin in the smokies up very very high in the clouds! We have sometimes seen a bear at our cabin in the past but it was from a far enough distance that I felt SAFE! Our close friends, the Hunters joined us this past time and what we experienced with bears was unbelievable. We always take our spotlights and shine down the mountain at night from our cabin deck to see if we can spot any wild animals... Is that legal? Well anyway, the kids were doing it while the adults were inside and we all of a sudden started hearing them screaming BEAR! I run to the deck and I see a HUGE BEAR looking up at us so I start screaming like a little kid too! By that time, we are all watching this one bear stare up at us as 3 more bears come out of the woods too. At this point, I'm freakin out We named this big bear in the pic Mama Bear and she came back every night. Jaime went to her car one afternoon and she walked right by the bear in our driveway. Her face was priceless. Oh, if I had a pic of that!

Other than all the bear sightings, we hiked Clingmans dome, cruised Cades Cove, ice skated, went to the aquarium and the kids and hank simulated sky diving... Pretty neat.

I'm ready to go back!

 

 

 

I.

Cam's 9th Birthday

Eyeballs on a Fork

Pumpkin Cheese Ball

Cheese Fingers

Mummies on a Stick

Candy Corn Rice Krispy Treats

Witches Hats

Bones
 

Candy Apples
 

Halloween Bites

 

 

 

The party planners were pooped by the end of the night.

 

 

We had these ghost all over the back  yard.  They were tomato cages wrapped in lights and wrapped in sheets. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blog book

So if anyone actually reads my blog, they should know I've been away for a very long time. I normally have my blog book published and completed from the previous year by now but that's not gonna happen until I complete the Sampson memories of 2012 on this blog. I like to turn my blog into a memory book because well, I stopped scrapbooking 5 years ago. I can blame Pinterest, and my crafty and baking buddies who I tend to go to hobby lobby with on a weekly basis for this addiction I have found! I will do this! Dont get me wrong, the boys and Hank make up most of my time but my "me time" is important too. So when you are reading about Halloween when the aroma of blooming fresh spring flowers is coming thru your window you can smile and think of the procrastinator Susan! Here's a few pics I found on my phone looking back over the past few months...now on to blogging past...

Season End

Great end to a Football Season with Hank as the boy's coach! 

Boys of Fall...

This is a long post so BEWARE...Friday night was Homecoming for the Covington Chargers.  We played Crockett County and WON! Go Chargers!  Hank took the boys and their friends while I had a night at home to myself. Thanks Hank.  I had a lot of catch up stuff to do because it had been such a busy week.  I almost called into work last week and seriously asked for a "Mental Health Day, " but being the  responsible adult I sometimes am, I didn't.  It seemed that every morning was chaos and I left my house upside down with laundry every day and I was feeling a little anxious and overwhelmed.  Maybe it was because of this new project of preparing dinner at church and I was so scared it wouldn't be enough and IT WAS.  By the way, the meal went great and I'm doing it again this week.  I'm no longer on any more committees (clap, clap) at church and I owe this much to my church.  (and the kids too! :)

 

 

As you can see in the pics that Saturday Morning brought us the boys of Fall.  Yes, Charger Football for the boys.  The practice has once again began with Hank coaching.  But this year, Cade Carter and Cam are on the same team.  sigh...what a relief!

 

Cade Carter and Cam are playing Flag Football.  No tackle for them this year.


When Saturday Night rolled around we went "Night Riding."  We rode four wheelers, roasted hot dogs and got very muddy.

Cam was making sure his didn't get to black because he refuses to eat anything burned or browned.

The gang...John Bradley, Cam, Jacob, Peyton and Cade Carter

 

Did I mention we ran across a DEAD snake...and yes, it was DEAD!

These Boys of Fall should be called Rednecks of Fall...

This is a stream of muddy water we came upon...Cam didn't ride thru it...he got in it!

 

 

Riding on a dirt road...

 

There was no place I'd rather be!

Cool Rock...Questioning himself should he ride thru a muddy ditch...

Did I mention Brian fell off the four wheeler and fell in the muddy creek? 

Seriously, JoLea, flipflops???

 

After church Sunday, we headed to Landen's 5th birthday at the park. 

Carly came along with us.   Cam and her hung out all day.

 

Sorry for such a long post but this weekend was crammed full of fun...I needed that!  I hope this week is better and I pray that I  learn to deal with being busy in a positive way!