April 4 - Oooops - Happy Birthday, Travis!

I think I forgot to mention that we celebrated my youngest son's 29th Birthday on April 4. We took him, Rosa and Elani out for dinner to Olive Garden (his choice) and had a nice dinner and dessert. Nothing spectacular, just nice family time with good food!

Oh yea, pictures too. I wouldn't be caught somewhere without my camera at my side!!

April 11-13 Weekend Adventures

It was another beautiful weekend to be camping in the great outdoors of northern Florida and we were smack dab in the middle of it. We couldn't have asked for better weather to just sit in the chairs under the awning with a good book and my camera of course and enjoy the sweet songs of birds, crickets and bull frogs. The occasional call of the sand crane was the only interruption that is worth speaking of. We had Elani with us mostly because she loves being outside and this is the perfect place for her to play outside until her heart is content (which is usually from sun-up to sun-down). We had a great time in fellowship with our camping friends and enjoying the peace and quiet of the outdoors. We always come home so rested and relaxed and full of thankfulness for all of God's creation that He made just for our pleasure.

I snapped a few pictures of Elani playing in the distance as I sat with my book under the awning. She didn't even know I was watching her. I am thankful also for these memories and moments that I am building with her. I hope she is remembering all of these good times with her Grammi and Paway!

Easter Pictures

Just had to share this pics of the grand-kids from our photoshoot at JCP! They are quite adorable, if I must say so myself!!

Elani is 3 1/2 (will be 4 in July) and Lenix is almost 14 months!

Pics from Bristol

We are in Bristol

We left home on Thursday, March 13 at 2 pm and headed North to Bristol, TN for the 5th Race of the NASCAR SPRINT CUP race of the season. We stopped just north of Spartanburg, SC for a nights rest and a hot shower, arriving at the Track at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Friday, just in time for SPRINT CUP Practice at Noon. The morning of Friday was absolutely beautiful with the sun coming up in the mountains, but the closer we got to Bristol the cloudier it got and the rains came. It rained off and on all the day, but we did get a couple hours of practice before, even though Qualifying was cancelled and Jeff Gordon will start 2nd next to Jimmie Johnson. We went into Johnson City to an Olive Garden for dinner since it was raining and Cully hadn't arrived with his camper and then we got some groceries for the weekend!

Saturday morning the sunrise was gorgeous with a lot of peachy colored clouds, but now that it is 1 p.m. the clouds have taken over again and it is starting to spit some rain. Before the rain started earlier this morning, Cully, Janine and I walked to the top of the mountain to view the Race Track and the Drag Strip.

More to come as the day goes on.

Later

2008 Daytona 500 Weekend

It was a great weekend of camping, food, friends and Racin'! The weather was perfect, with nice sunny days and cool evenings. We even had a fire outside in the evenings to sit around!

Thursday for the Gator Duel, I was with the Official NASCAR Members Club ("ONMC") in the infield for Driver Intros. We weren't as close as we have been at other tracks, but we did get to get some pictures and a wave or two from some of the Drivers as they walked by.

We had a great time with our new Race Friends from Indiana, Dusty & Jamie, and Bob & Windy. Janine and Ashley came to the campsite and spent time with us there too on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Friday we all went bargain hunting at the Flea Market and everyone came home with a treasure or two! We also went to the Driver Merchandise Trailers

Saturday found us lounging around the campsite, soaking up the sun rays and reading magazines; just plain relaxing!

Race Day finally arrived. Rudy, Ashley, Janine & I left around 10:00 for the Track to see if we could spot any Drivers at their Merchandise Trailers. Ashley got her coveted autograph from Brian Vickers and I got pictures of Brian Vickers, Robbie Gordon, Kurt Busch, Greg Biffle, AJ Almindinger, a couple others while they autographed for Fans.

Rudy and I found out seats early and got to see all of the Pre-Race Festivities.

The Race didn't end like I would have liked, but it did produce a Driver that has never won before at Daytona, # 12 Ryan Newman. He took the lead as he came out of turn three coming down the frontstretch, passing # 20 Tony Stewart because he had a great drafting push from his team-mate # 2 Kurt Busch. Jeff Gordon had some suspension issues and finished 39th.

On Monday after packing up and having some breakfast we went to the Daytona 500 Experience and got our commemorative dog-tag made (its a tradition) before heading home and dropping Cully off at the airport.

I think we all were going back to work to get some rest!!

Our next race is in Bristol, TN in a few more weeks, so keep an eye out for us on the Road!

February-

It's February and only 4 days until the DAYTONA 500 where you will find us camping for 4 days and 5 nights at the Crazy Horses Campground with friends from Tennessee, Indiana and some locals, too. We all are so ready for this Race Season to start. The Gator Duels on Thursday will be our first Race with the 500 to follow on Sunday!

Last weekend we were camping with our friends, Florida Outdoor Club. We took Elani with us. She loves to be outside playing and the peace and tranquility of the northern Florida woods is the best place for her to run, explore and just plain have some fun. It is always so relaxing up there and this past weekend was no different. Our once a month get away from the hustle and bustle of the weekly routine is always a pleasant and refreshing time.

We are leaving this evening for Daytona, so be watching for updates on our attendance at events at the Track!