4th of July in Kentucky

This year, over the 4th of July, we made the 14 hour journey from Rochester to Paducah, Kentucky.  This year the Turok side of the family was getting together for a reunion that we werent about to miss.  On the night of July 3rd, we left after Mike got off work and drove over to Cincinatti, Ohio where we spent the night.  The next morning, we got up and drove the rest of the way into Paducah.  That afternoon, we checked into the hotel and then headed over to Mike's Grand-dad's house where we were able to visit with some of his cousins, aunts, uncles, and of course his grand-dad.

Rhett & Papa

After dinner, all the boys got together and shot off some fireworks on the street--which the kids thought were awesome.  When the sun started to set, we headed over to downtown Paducah where there was a firework show right over the Ohio River which is awesome, because I am a sucker for fireworks shot off over water.  There is just something about being on the water and having the fireworks reflect off the water  #LOVEIT  It was a cool scene there because you pull up near the river, park your car, and watch the show from your car.  Its like one big tailgating party.

All the boys having a little too much fun

Daddy and Rhett

Waiting for the City of Paducah fireworks

Rhett expressing his excitement

Nic posing

Hanging out before the firework show

The next morning, Mike and my brother Nic took off with some of the men to go shoot guns while me and some of the other ladies stayed behind to let the kids swim in the pool at the hotel.  After the men returned, we headed off for St. Louis (another 3 hour drive from Paducah) to attend the St Louis Cardinals game in downtown St. Louis.  The game was AWESOME.  The weather was perfect, the Cardinals won, and the company was great.  Although I had to swallow my cheapness down my throat after paying 48 bucks for 4 hot dogs, chicken fingers, and some fries, it was well worth it b/c they were some pretty darn good hot dogs, and come on, who goes to the ballpark without eating a hot dog?  The Cardinals have a gorgeous stadium that faces the famous St Louis Arch, and to top off the night, the cardinals won!  Plus we walked away with a free "Mike Shannon Bobble-head" toy that we got for being a part of the first 2,000 people or something like that to enter the stadium  (mike shannon is a long time announcer for the Cardinals).

Me and my girls entering the ball park

Uncle Nic, Zoey, & Addison

Me and the Mister

My baby boy and I

An attempted family shot

Like father, like son

 One good looking couple

Proof that we love each other  :)

2 tough men  #dontmess

Ok, Rhett looks HUGE in this picture, but I thought it was cute

My Zoey and me

A failed attempt at getting a grandkid shot with PaPa

Whats a ball game without cotton candy

Mmmm

PaPa being PaPa

                                      

Day shot --and if you notice in the grass, they mow the "arch" into the ball field...pretty cool we thought

 Night shot

Uncle Nic

Rhett and Uncle Nic enjoying the game

On Saturday, we slept in, took the kids swimming again at the pool, and then met up with Mike's brother, Kim at my beloved Chick-Fil-A.  Oh Chick-Fil-A, how my heart aches for you to come to New York  :(  After enjoying our delicious Chick-Fil-A, we headed for the Paducah Mall #nothingspecial, where we walked around.

Later that evening we headed off for Mike's great-aunt Norma's property in Illinois, on our way, we couldnt help but stop at the home of Superman in Metropolis, Illinois and get pictures with the famous, and ginormous statue of him.

Super Addison

Super Zoey

Super Rhett

Super Addison again in the female form

Overall, Metropolis was kind of a dumpy town.  But we had fun posing with Superman.  After our visit, we headed on up to Aunt Norma's home where everyone got to get together, visit, eat, and take cover from the thunderstorm that came rolling through.  To end the evening, a bunch of Mike's cousins put on this FABULOUS firework show.  No lie, I think it was better than the city of Paducah's firework show.  It was that awesome.

Big PaPa and Rhett

                                     

Just hanging out

Me and Rhett taking shelter from the rain

We had a great time in Paducah and it was a lot of fun seeing everyone and getting to meet some of Mike's cousins for the first time.  Until next time...

Memorial Day Parade

Every year, our cute little village of Pittsford puts on a Memorial Day Parade.  Its nothing spetacular...but its decent.  The kids seem to enjoy it and it comes complete with a couple of marching bands, some firetrucks, police cars, and all the town officials that nobody seems to care much about.  We had a beautiful weather for Memorial Day.  One worth spending the entire time outside.  After the parade, we headed to a park where our ward put on a Memorial Day picnic.  As always, we thank our Veteran's and very much appreciate all that they do for our family and for the people of America.

Rhett waiting for the parade

The girls anxious for the parade to start

Mike was so excite he could hardly contain his excitement for the parade

 Group shot, minus Mike, someone had to take the picture

BAM

Meet Bam.  He is the newest member of our family.  Yes, he is cute.  But dont let his cute little puppy face fool you...hes a little fart.  Hes not a bad puppy, but he is a PUPPY which means he is work. We are currently crate training him and its going pretty well.  The kids, Uncle Nic, and Mike love him, and the little buggar is growing on me.  Hopefully he can be fully house-trained soon so I dont go crazy.  Although I think I already have considering I agreed to have a second dog....  anyways, here's Bam, our new, cute little Chocolate Lab puppy.

And Then She's THREE

On April 30th, this little turkey turned THREE YEARS OLD.  And boy do we know it!!  About a week before her birthday, its like a switch was flipped and this girl definitely showed us that she was turning three, and not in a good way  :/  I always say that whoever said that the Two's were Terrible, they were on something.  Because for me, the Three's with my kids have been FAR worse.  Zoey used to be my laid back one, whatever, go with the flow attitude...and she still is somewhat, but man-oh-man, when that "switch" was flipped, all of a sudden this girl has an opinion about everything.  And if she doesnt like something, she will for sure let you know it!  

Happy Birthday our sweet (or not-so-sweet) Zoey!!  We are so glad you were born into our family and that you are our's.  Life wouldnt be the same with out you!!

Favorite Color:  Purple

Favorite Animal:  Puppy

Favorite Characters:  Hello Kitty and My Little Pony

Best Friends:  Adelaide & Kim

Favorite Disney Character:  Brave (Merida)
Favorite Movie:  Rio
Favorite Cartoon show:  Duck Tales (my kind of girl)
Favorite Food:  anything Vegetable or Fruit--this girl is my GOOD and HEALTHY eater

Loves doing:  Hanging out with her big sister, Addie, riding her princess scooter, and jumping on the trampoline

South Carolina

Wow, I suck at blogging.  Ok here we go....

On 04.20.2013, we headed off to the Carolinas with our good friends, the Chandler's.  That night, we arrived to my parents house in Charlotte where we got to relax and enjoy some time in the hot tub--which felt fabulous especially after a 13 hour drive.  The next day was Sunday, we decided to just stay at my parents house, chill a bit, and attend my parent's church.  Monday morning came and we headed off into South Carolina to my parents lake house that sits right on Lake Wateree.  We had a blast relaxing, swimming, and boating.  I, unfortunately did not get a whole lot of pictures since I was doing all the driving on the boat.  I will have to steal some pictures from the Chandlers when I get the chance.

After spending 2 days at the Lake House full of boating, swimming, kneeboarding, and water skiing, that Wednesday, we headed down to Charleston to spend a few days.  Once getting to Charleston, we stopped for lunch at one of our favorite local spots, Juanita Greenburgs.  After filling our bellies, we dropped our stuff off at the condo that we had the pleasure of staying in for FREE  (thanks to some friends), and we then headed for the beach.  

The girls-- Zoey, Kimmerle, Addison, Emilie

Zoey 

Addie

Nana and Zoey

Nothing like digging in the sand

Thursday morning, we all got up, went out for breakfast and then headed for downtown Charleston to do some shopping and sightseeing.  We started off at the Markets, buying crap that we dont really need.  After walking through the markets, we headed for Waterfront Park so the kids could go swimming in the fountains there.  When it came to planning the parks in downtown Charleston, they were very smart in making it possible for kids and adults alike to go swimming in the fountains--the kids and parents LOVE IT.

Rhett and cousin Peter

Splashin around

Zoey, Emilie, Addison

Zoey and Addison pictured on the pier

Another attempted shot at all 3 of the kiddos

Our lil man

After swimming at the Waterfront fountain, we headed for the famous Pineapple Fountain in Waterfront Park.  The Pinapple fountain is an icon for Charleston.  It is a must see when one visits good ole' Chuck Town

The girls splashing around the Pineapple Fountain

Me and the Mr

After spending some time at Waterfront Park, we walked over to the Battery (another famous spot in Charleston), to do some more sightseeing..

I always get all kinds of crap for never posting pictures of myself...so HERE you GO!  Aint I a hottie?!?!?!

The girls climbing on the cannon balls---the Battery played a part in the Revolutionary War, hence the cannon balls that are there

The girls pictured along the waterfront

Zoey, Kimmerle, Emilie, Addison

Me and my Addison

Me and my Rhett

Addison wanted to pose in front of this gate, and "posed" she did

Mike and Rhett pictured in front of the same gate

 Our Zoey

After touring Charleston all day, we headed over to Coconut Joe's on Isle of Palms for dinner.  Coconute Joe's has decent food, but you definitely go for the atmosphere of it all.  It sits right on the beach and has gorgeous views of the Atlantic.  We had the pleasure of meeting up with Mike's family for dinner.  Papa, Grandma Linda, cousins Brennan and Jordan, Aunt Melissa, and Uncle Kim all came down to see us.  Although our visit was short, it was nice to see everyone that we could.

 Brennan and Addison pictured here with Papa

A horrible attempt at getting a picture of the grandkids with Papa

Mike and his brother, Kim

The Turok Men

Rhett, Papa, Jordan, Mike, Kim, Brennan

Friday morning came, and the plans were to head to Chester, SC to my dad's property that he owns.  But we couldnt leave Charleston without a little more beach time.  So we snuck in some that morning before leaving.

The girls, again---if you can read in the sand, it says "Turok's & Chandler's SC 2013

Rhett is ALL boy, he loves his dirt, sand, and sticks.  Needless to say, he was in heaven being at the beach

And here he is again...

And again...

Addie and Zoey having the time of their lives

Little man, at 15 months, FINALLY decided to START to walk--he still has a little ways to go

Although the water was a bit chilly, my friend Heather and I decided that we didnt come all this way NOT to get into the water...so indeed we did, and we loved it!

After a few hours at the beach, we hit the road again and drove the 2 hours to Chester, SC to my dad's "farm" where we spent the whole afternoon riding 4-wheelers, shooting guns, and enjoying my dad's famous Dutch Oven Cooking.  It was a great way to end our vacation.  Again, I didnt get many pictures b/c i was too busy riding 4-wheelers and shooting guns to do so.

 Grandpa Ladd with Zoey and Addison

Riding with Grandpa

 Rhett going for a ride

Saturday came and the Chandler's took off to visit some friends in the Durham, NC area.  We decided to stay another night and then headed home that Sunday.  We had a blast on our Vacay, and it made us realize how much we miss living in the Carolinas (sigh) one day we will be BACK!!  Thanks mom and  dad for everything and thank you Chander's for putting up with us for a week!!!