Swinging

Having a back yard is wonderful!  Ben isn't old enough to enjoy it yet, but Sam is so excited every afternoon when we go outside.  Our favorite time to go is when the sun is going down and the temperatures aren't scorching hot!  Sam loves his swingset and slide!  He also has a neat playhouse that keeps us busy.  I am usually the Big Bad Wolf and he acts like the Three Little Pigs!  Our next task is to get Sam to swing like a big boy on the swings!!  I know once he gets the hang of it, he will enjoy it because he likes anything that is fast!  

MeMom and Granddaddy came down for a visit.  Who know what Sam is talking her into!!!

First Trip to the Zoo

Today started bright and early at 5:30 am.  We woke up and took the kids to the Memphis Zoo.  The trip was extra special because the Merrick family joined us.  We arrived at the zoo around 10 am and stayed until 4 pm.  The weather was hot (98 degrees) but the kids were all well-behaved!  We found shade as much as possible and coated all five kids with sun-screen throughout the day.  Yes, I said it correctly...five kids all under the age of four! 

Sam loved all of the animals.  He would watch one animal and was always excited to see what was next!  We took the video camera, but caught a few pictures to post on here.  Watching Sam's excitement was priceless! 

We didn't think Ben would appreciate the animals, but he was excited to see all the animals!  He loved the monkeys and seals the most and didn't really know what to think about the elephants!  I think the size of them scared him a bit! 

Matt and I were both surprised that we made it 6 hours in the heat without a single whimper from either boy.  They had smiles the whole day and were troopers the whole trip.  We thought Sam was going to be sad when we left, but he was ready for cool air!  While we packed the car, he fell asleep!  We were both excited and thought both boys would sleep the entire way home, but we were wrong.  Ben didn't go to sleep after I fed him his bottle and after 10 minutes, Sam woke up also.  They were both so tired, they didn't know what to do.  Sam sang every song he knew and made up a few.  Ben laughed and smiled at his brother's entertainment! 

Another trip to the zoo is not out of the question for the 2011 Summer.  We had a wonderful time!  It was nice to have another family join our fun and with them having three kids, they moved at our speed and totally understood our philosophy....as long as the kids are happy.....we are happy!

Sam's Flowers

I tried multiple times to get these picutres to rotate, but they are not cooperating! 

This past weekend, we finished the landscaping around our house.  Sam has talked about wanting some flowers of his own, so while I was at work, Memom helped him plant his own flower pot!  When I got home from work he was excited to show me his flowers and explain to me how he needed to water them everyday!  I love this kid!

Flood 2011

The Flood of 2011 affected a lot of people and Matt and I were thankful we had the opportunity to help those in need.   Below is a write-up from the Paducah Sun. 

For most City of Paducah departments and divisions, work schedules are back to normal. Paducah is prepared for the rising Ohio River. Earlier this week, the Parks Maintenance crews were working alongside several other city crews to install floodgates. Today with the floodgates in place, the Parks crews are trying to get a handle on the rapidly growing grassy areas in parks and right-of-ways.

However, for the floodwall division and other divisions of the Engineering-Public Works Department, their work continues as crews monitor forecasts, pumps, and the minor water seepage at the floodgates. All 12 of the City’s pump stations are running and are being manned 24 hours a day. Last night, crews were able to finish the installation of the pumps near Lydon Road adjacent to the Interstate-24 exit 11 interchange. Those pumps are pumping water over the floodwall.

The current forecast for the Ohio River indicates the river cresting at Paducah next Tuesday at 53 feet. Flood stage is 39 feet. The current stage is 50.17 feet with little change from Wednesday afternoon’s stage. City Engineer-Public Works Director Rick Murphy says, “Everything is status quo. We have switched from installation mode to observation mode.”

In two days, the City of Paducah installed 37 of its 47 floodgates. Today, crews are monitoring the river forecast, pumps, and other flood protection features. City Engineer-Public Works Director Rick Murphy says, “As of 2:00 p.m. today, the City of Paducah is prepared for the current crest of 53 feet that is forecasted by the National Weather Service.” The final floodgates are necessary to close only if the Ohio is projected to crest higher than 53 feet. The current forecast is holding with a crest on the Ohio River at Paducah next Tuesday at 53 feet, which is two feet lower than the crest projected earlier this week. If the City of Paducah did not have a floodwall, a flood stage of 53 feet would mean that water would be three feet deep on Broadway.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Coleman Road has been activated. Evacuations in the County have occurred on Noble Road and West Hovecamp. The Red Cross has set up a shelter for evacuees at Margaret Hank Cumberland Presbyterian Church. McCracken County Emergency Management Director Paul Carter stresses the importance of staying informed since additional severe weather and flash flooding are expected over the next few days.

City and County residents interested in knowing the location of the 100 year flood plain as mapped from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can access the information through the City of Paducah website at www.paducahky.gov. Click on the “Maps” link on the left side of the homepage. Users of this mapping service can search for an address or a road and view the location in relation to the 100 year flood plain. Instructions on how to use the map can be found by clicking the help link at the top right of the map page.

How can you say No?

Sometimes it is hard to say no to Mr. Sam!  I guess he got his charming smile from his daddy!!