Crabbin'

Part of the fun of going to the beach with Papa is going crabbing (at least it is now). This is not a memory I have as a child, but it will be one for the grand kids.



The method of catching crabs is much different than I had anticipated. To be honest, I'm not really sure what I thought it would be like. You take a string and attach a large paper clip (at least that is what it reminded me of) type of "hook". To this paper clip you apply raw chicken - a large piece mind you (like a neck or something) so as to entice the crab. Apparently they are quite picky. You hold this string out into the water - there is no pole like with fishing.

Once you "catch" the crab, which is kind of confusing because really the crab catches you, you gently walk/pull it closer to shore. If the crab is still laying claim to the chicken you offered by the time you can see it, you sneakily get the net beneath the crab and thus succeed in catching a it!


After catching the crab(s), you place them in a large pot so you can cook them later. No one cooked the ones caught the first night, but they did cook them the next time. I can't give any testimony about the quality of freshly caught crab, but everyone who tried it seemed to like it.

Shane was the first one to catch a crab. At least the first one to get the crab into the net and thus into the pot. Way to go!

They are kind of pretty for something called "crab".

This first crabbing trip (and my only one since it's not so much fun if you don't get to hold the string with the chicken) was made even more exciting when we heard the unmistakeable rumble of an alligator less than 20 yards away. He disappeared and reappeared and generally added more excitement.

At the end of the day, we had a blast and memories were stored away in our minds. Memories we can recall and remember how fun/special/blessed it is to be a part of our family.

Bowling

Okay, I'm jumping out of sequence with this post but it's on my mind and so I think should write(because as you've seen, I have been struck with writers block as of late). Anyway...tonight we used a coupon Weldon had given us to go bowling. We had a blast. There was pizza and root beer and bowling (of course).

The first game I almost beat Joel! The second (last) game both kids beat me!!! I would like to remind everyone that they used bumpers and I didn't (I'm trying to think back to other times I've played as a mother and I think i usually use bumpers too - maybe that would have helped my score.)

I'd like to take a moment to complain a bit about the wii. I am a decent bowler when playing the wii (and other computerized bowling games) and I feel as if I was mislead to believe that I was actually a pretty good bowler. This false belief fed to me by the makers of Nintendo has left my ego bruised by reality and I believe they should compensate me in some way. :)

Well, I feel better having vented and would like to show a few pictures from this past week (in no particular order)...

Tiffany 'n Wes

Tiffany turned 22 on August 10th and then married Wes on August 14th. It was a whirlwind week, trying to cram in all that needed to be done in order to make the wedding all that it needed to be. In the end it was everything Tiffany wanted and more. She was a beautiful bride.

I keep looking for ways to get a casual picture for our next bookmark but a wedding is a bit more formal than I want. So here we are...

Soon I'll post pictures of fishing and swimming and other things we did during that week. It was such a fun time seeing family and friends. Weddings are a great reason to get everyone together (even if a bit difficult to have quality visiting time). Blessings to you, Tiffany and Wes. We love you.

Performance Pictures

Remember how I told you the lighting wasn't good for pictures? Well here are 3 of the best.

Dade is the second from the left on the first row. I still am so amazed at how well he did. It does help that he never does the hand motions or sings in these types of things - so it's not hard to get everyone excited. (I think he has done that on purpose)

This was Adrianne's singing part (not that you can hear it) and she did great!

Dara was a cheerleader for the Israelites (thus the big "I")

Since those pictures weren't great (except that my kids were in them) here are some from the park yesterday.

Break a leg!

Don't worry - it's not Joel's leg. It's not anyone else's either. The kids were in music camp all week and tonight was the performance of the musical. They did a great job (and I know I'm a bit/lot prejudiced - but you would have agreed if you had seen them).

I wasn't sure Dade would sing, since he never has in other times he's been in front of church, but he did! His eyes never wavered from his leader's and he knew his words. Dara looked like a natural and played a cheerleader who was cheering for Gideon. Even though I was never the cheerleader type, Dara is definitely gifted that way. Her friend, Adrianne, also went to camp and did a super job reciting her lines (there were many). I'm so proud of all of them!!!

You'd think I would have pictures, and I do. They're just not good ones because churches don't light the sanctuary for performances like these with parents and cameras in mind. You'll have to trust me that it was wonderful.

I know it's not much of a post, just wanted everyone to know we are still alive and kicking. We leave next week to see my parents and family! I can't wait. Tiffany's wedding is one week from tomorrow - how can that be? I remember her being born not too long ago. Where does the time go?