The Newvines Wild Weekend ...

Each of the Newvines had different and fun experiences this weekend ...

Starting with David ...

David, Chris, and Joe went on a motorcycle retreat where they rode a total of 480 miles over the weekend.

David taking care of some final preparations on his bike.

Mike giving David a goodbye hug ... wishing if he weren't so tired, he would go too ...

Almost ready ...

And off they go !!!

On Friday afternoon, the 3 "adventurers" started at the Borders ... heading through Wears Valley over into Metcalf Bottoms, then over the mountains into Cherokee, and then onto Maggie Valley where they stayed for the night across the street from a big Harley Davidson rally. Saturday morning, they left Maggie Valley and rode to Blowing Rock, NC via the Blue Ridge Parkway. They were chased by rain Saturday, but managed to "outrun" the storms :)) They stayed at the Blowing Rock Lodge on Saturday night and were WILD boys, taking in a late night movie, The Incredible Hulk.

They were on their way again Sunday by 10:30 a.m., but were not so fortunate this time to outrun the rain. They got soaked in Elizabethton and Johnson City. David had on his Frogg Toggs to keep him from getting soaked, but said he was glad there were no cameras on this trip because he said he looked like the Michelin Man on 2 wheels.

They all arrived home safe and sound Sunday afternoon about 4:00 p.m.

Jared and Mom's Weekend:

Mom wasn't on her toes enough to bring the camera, but Friday night Jared had his first experience at the Drive-In movies at Parkway Drive-In. We rode over with Amy (who is a long-time friend and former room-mate from the "old" days) and her little girl Hattie. Dawn (a friend from small group) and her friend Hannah met us there. Dan and Melissa (long-time friends from S.H.) weren't far behind with their 2 girls. And then we stumbled upon Julie (long-time friend and former room-mate) and John with their 3 children! I also ran into LaDonna (whose husband was on the motorcycle retreat with David and Chris) and her boys, and chatted with them for a bit. So anyway, we arrived around 7:15 p.m. and hung out until the movie came once it got dark about 9:30 p.m. We watched Wall-E. I don't highly recommend paying much money to go and see it (if any), but then again, Jared liked it.

Saturday night was a night to remember in the Staples parking lot ...


Oh yes we did!! We whipped out the lawn chairs and gathered to watch the Aloca fireworks without all the hastle of the crowds ...


Kathy, Kate, and LaDonna enjoying a good laugh.


Is that a laptop??? I thought we were here to see fireworks??


The newest members of our Small Group came to be a part of the exciting parking lot action ... Curt and Dawn.

The fireworks were very enjoyable, we had a great view, AND we didn't have to fight ANY traffic to get home !!! Thanks for letting us in on your secret LaDonna!

Sunday Evening ...

Curt (in the above picture) is a former drummer for ShadowWax, a local rock band. They asked him to fill in for them for a show, so the Borders and Newvines decided to go and check him out ... Jared took this picture ... what a great job!

We weren't able to get pictures once we got inside, but what a great job Curt did! Napoleon Dynamite would say, "he's got really good skills ... probably the best that I know off" ... Seriously though, we were excited to be able to see him live in action, and so thankful to have him and Dawn with us! :))

And, the Borders definitely extend us in ways we never thought, like keeping us up WAY past our bedtime ... :))) Soooo, here we are, living life on the edge by peeling into RJ's at 10:30 p.m. for dessert, and low and behold ... they have NO dessert! Oh well, it was fun anyway and saved us a few calories. It was a great weekend.

Breast Cancer Awareness

This is a free and easy way to help provide women free mammograms who can't afford it. All you have to do is click the pink ribbon every day.

It's a great site to get updated information about breast cancer as well.

ROCC vs The Dragon Pit

David stepped in for a game because River Oaks was short a couple of players. He is definitely planning to play in the fall.

Stretching and warm-ups ...




Prayer before the game ...


It was a nail-biter! ROCC fought hard, but The Dragon Pit came back and won 12 to 9.


Finishing up prayer with the other team after the game.

The Lazy Days of Summer ...

What could be better than hanging out with your best bud??


Later today, Phillip came over to play with Jared. What did they do for fun? They whipped out the History of the World Book and were studying the Vikings and other amazing events in World history!!




They studied up and then they got on Google Earth and looked up St. Paul's Cathedral and The Sistine Chapel.



Learning something during summer vacation ... yippee!!

The Evolution Theory ...

First thing this morning, Jared comes to me and says: "Evolutionists want to prove that people came from apes. It's just not right, but some people try to prove it by the looks." Then he shows me two different faces:

Normal-looking People:


Ape-looking people:


How's that for disproving Evolution!

Father's Day Continued ...

Jared and Matthew enjoying some time together at Pap's.


The cousins "hunting for treasure"




Look at all that amazing treasure!


*************

This picture is from back in March, but just in case you forgot what we look like ...

I was tempted to put a picture on with you, Mom, & Jared, but decided I wanted to continue to have a relationship with Mom :))

So ... here is a picture of David's new ride ... (I say his Father's Day present for the rest of his life; he says till next Spring) ...

He became fully legal Friday with taking his written test and then the road test. Hopefully it will save us some gas money!!

Love you Bunches Dad ~ hope your Father's Day is wonderful!

The Newvine Garden ... (Updated)

Sunday Morning, (Father's Day) ... I got about 4-5 pounds of broccoli out of the garden! I made David taste it to see what he thought, and he said he really felt special; his wife serving him broccoli for breakfast on Father's Day :))

Thought I would take a quick shot of the day lillies in the yard. The flowers are really beautiful this year!

Here's a full shot of the garden ...


This year we are growing lettuce, cabbage, cucumbers, taking a stab a strawberries and watermelon, peppers, broccoli, squash, zuchini, and of course tomatoes!

Look at that broccoli!!


About another week or so and the squash will be ready ...


We harvested lots of cucumbers and LOTS of tomatoes from last year's garden. I was able to make lots of spaghetti sauce (or starter for chili) and we still have a couple of jars left :))

Flying Dolphins vs Holston Hills ...

Jared's first swim meet of the season (Tues 06/10/08),
and he cut his finger while cutting a pear to eat.



Jeremy and Jared ... good buddies.



You will see the name "Jake" written on Jeremy's arm above. All the Dolphins arms had the name "Jake" written on them as Jake Thomas was a Flying Dolphins teammate. He passed away a couple of days ago from what was presumed to be a heat stroke; he was only 14 years old. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jake's family.


Jared gearing up ...

Take your mark ...


Go!


Jared in full attire ...





Heat 12 Freestyle; Heat 32 Backstroke; Heat 62 Relay


In Jared's heat for freestyle, he swam for 27 seconds (25 yards) and for backstroke, he swam for 36 seconds (25 yards). He took 2nd place for freestyle and 4th place for backstroke. Great job Jared!!

Jared's Art Work

Greenback School was offering Art Camp for a week and Jared learned some amazing things as well as created some amazing art!!

An Alligator in the Grass ...

Pablo Picasso #1 ...

Boy Running with Dog ...

The Family ...

Pablo Picasso #2 ... (mom's personal favorite)

Paul Klee Impression of Jared ...

Self Portrait ... Andy Warhol Style

The Dog ... M.C. Escher wannabee

(Jared's Personal Favorite)

A Bug's Life - The Matisse Way