LIFE'S MOVING ON...

Today, Dylan and I went with my parents to Quite Waters Park to check out their bike trail. (Ashley is on a missions trip in upstate NY. She's ministering in a young church, helping out with their Vacation Bible School program.)
The trail was a beautiful 7 mile trip, with a LOT of hills & turns. This picture was a carved log along the trail. (Sorry my lens fogged - it was humid.) Fun, but a little challenging with the dog trailer. OOPS! I forgot to take a picture of that again! Sorry!

Dad, Mom and Dylan at one of the nice overlooks on the river. Shelby enjoyed her run time... Border Collie/Shetland Sheep Dog that she is! Cody is still in "trailer training," and barked a lot. (I miss running Toby. Unlike prancing Shelby, Toby would run along side my bike like a 25 lb. leaping toad!)

After shower and lunch Dylan & I headed up for a visit with Mem Mem.

The highlight of the visit was watching my 87 year old grandmother checking her email. She's used to those old fashioned typewriters, so all those "keys," and "mouse," are still a bit confusing. But I have to say she does awesome! She pumps those fwd's out like any pro!

I showed her what the "favorites" button was for. Of course I added my blog to it! ;-) Love you dearly Mem!

A VISIT WITH ROSE!

My cousin Rose came for a visit, from California, last week.
She was able to visit with most of Mom's side of the family.

Unfortunately, she was never able to prove her pool playing skills with Shawn. I'm sure he's sorry to have missed it! *-)

THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK!

Just wanted to introduce Cody. We adopted him a few days ago. He is Shelby & Toby's half brother. They share the same father, but different mothers.
Yes, we're back to sleepless nights and potty training, which is actually going amazingly well. (He reminds us a lot of Chunk - Cody does a few Chunk familiar things and is VERY SMART!)

Cody hanging out with Dylan.

Shelby was absolutely LOST without Toby. She was very happy to bring Cody home. He's quite the distraction for her. She's doing a pretty good job showing him the ropes too.

He's got a lazy ear that's pretty cute.

It's different bring home a puppy in sorrow. In time I know it won't hurt so much, but I do still miss Toby dearly. He was quite the clown, very easy going, and grew to be my buddy very quickly. Cody's got a lot to live up to... now if we could just keep all thier names straight!

TOBY

TOBY ROCK HUNT

October 26, 2007 - July 22, 2008

We received a call on Tuesday morning, while in Williamsburg, VA. We had Shelby and Toby in the Cozy Canine Camp while on vacation. Dad used this kennel several times so we really did not worry overmuch about them.

Anyway, Toby was being taken to the hospital, because he was acting sluggish and had diarrhea. By the time he arrived at the hospital, he was in shock. We left VA immediately after the call.

I had asked Dad to go see Toby, so he could have a familiar face. Toby seemed to be stable, with his color returning, so dad left. But within the hour, Toby took a turn for the worse, he had several Dr.'s working on him. I got another call when we were about 1/2 hour away from home. The Dr. didn't think we'd make it in time. We didn't....

We don't know what happened. We could have had an autopsy done. Cozy Canine even offered to pay for it. But it would have involved more than we could bear at the time.

After talking with the Dr.'s we think Toby must have either gotten into something poisonous at the camp (seed, mushroom), or gotten bitten by something, in order for his body to shut down so very fast.

It is so very hard to believe my Tob Tob is gone. I feel horrible we extended our vacation that extra day. Horrible that he was with total strangers when he died. And yet, I know God is in control. The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Just wanted to post some pictures to remember him by...

Goodbye Toby. We'll never forget you Little Buddy.

SUMMER VACATION - 2008

This year we headed south and spent time with family, and friends.

OUR FIRST STOP...

KINGS DOMINION!

I was very protective of my back, so many pictures are of Shawn and the kids, on rides I didn't get on. I rode all of the smooth steal roller coasters however, and had a blast on them!

Do you see the "HUNT" orneriness coming out???

Shawn preparing to ride SHOCK WAVE, the stand up roller coaster. Notice the very scary girl pictured in the line behind him.

Ashley preparing for "SHOCK WAVE." Again that scary girl...8-{

The family coming back from the SHOCK!

The kids got on this one...seemed boring and easy at first, but then...

...things picked up a little!

The kids riding "RICOCHET."

The "GRIZZLY" used to be my favorite roller coaster when I was younger. (I liked the night ride through the woods) I couldn't ride it this year with my back, but still had fun reminiscing - and the kids got to ride it!

We took a break in the heat of the day and checked in to the King's Quarters Best Western. We cooled off for a bit at the pool. It was relaxing for us...but when the girls went swimming, Noelle tried to kill Ashley...pretty funny!

We ate dinner at Denny's in the hotel. We had the sweetest waitress! She made us all these combinations of fruit drinks & didn't charge us!

The Volcano Blast Coaster is our favorite ride at Kings Dominion. Doesn't look like much, but its fun!

Noelle and Ashley atop the Eiffel Tower.

Dylan had a blast running around the Slime Zone (More water than slime!)

Kings Dominion's 14th Roller Coaster... the DOMINATOR!

The Dominator is a 4,210 foot long floorless coaster...

...with the largest roller coaster loop in the world! Yes, it was AWESOME!

We had a great day together! It had been 8 years since we had visited this park, and it was so much fun now that the kids are able to enjoy the thrill rides with us! And they are way... way... crazier... than we ever were! (Ex./ Ashley doesn't tighten her restraints all the way, just so she lifts up out of her chair on the drops! SICK!)

The next day, we headed to Willow Springs, NC, to visit our very dear friends the McClards!

Dave and Shawn hanging out with "Princess," their new puppy.

Jen cooking dinner. She made a "Seafood Boil???" or something like that - very good!

Me with Princess! It takes a bit for my back to start moving in the morning, so this slow moving southern morning was very welcomed!

The "girls" hanging out watching Ratatouille!

The grown-ups played Monopoly. It was pretty late so we're sparing you our late night ragged faces. This game was different than any other Monopoly game I've ever played. It was a first that the ladies won and the guys lost all!

TOTAL BLACKMAIL PICTURE!!! Nathan driving a Barbie Car, towing Dylan on a "girly" bike!

Thanks so much for letting us come for a visit! We love you all! Can't wait for our next visit together!

2008 HUNT FAMILY REUNION

Ashley with Tiffany & Tom's baby! Sorry...I can't remember his name!

On the Saturday of the reunion, the family goes to FANTASY LAKE....

Ashley enjoying ice cream!

Laura and Jack - with ice cream...

Some sisters talking, Aunt Rosie, Aunt Genice, and Aunt Kathy in the back.

Aunt Edna... again, enjoying ice cream!

Dorette and Camille

Jeffrey on one of the swings (it drops you in the water!)

Johnathan on the swing

Dylan enjoying the slides and swings at the lake.

Later that evening everyone gathered at Aunt Dottie and Uncle Lee's house for their annual baseball game. The kids enjoyed swimming while waiting for everyone to get there.

Makenzie, Noelle, and Ashley

Summer with her father, Tooter

Shawn and Tooter were the team captains. I am VERY THANKFUL, Shawn behaved with his hand - well, at least he kept his cast on!

Shawn talking with his cousin Jeff. I hear they have a competition going. $100 goes to the one who looses the most weight before next years reunion!

The baseball fans! (They all act like the coaches though!)

Jeffery, Dylan, and Lilly. Dylan played like a pro. He hit some good ones and even caught a flyball!

The best part of the game...Shelly stealing bases! She figured it was owed to her for the ball she got in the back!

The game ended with a beautiful sunset.

On Sunday, the family attended church together, followed by a fellowship in the hall. What a awesome family Shawn has been blessed with! I adore all his cousins! We're looking forward to seeing everyone next year!

At the last minute, we decided to make another stop on the way home. We had never been to Williamsburg, VA, and since we had such a great time in Kings Dominion... Well, guess where we headed next...!

Scott and Debi (SMUNTS - Smiths/Hunts) were camping there for the week. We got a room in Williamsburg but first stopped in at their camper for a visit (and to do a little laundry 8-) We played our first game of Fizzle together - very fun! I won of course, as I usually do with all new games they teach us! We do miss camping so very much with you guys!

Our dorky kids...what can I say! Monday, morning we headed to Bush Gardens (very HOT day). Audrey and Jack stopped on their way home from the reunion too, for a little play time at Bush Gardens.

Scott and Debi on the Skyride

A show in Germany that we enjoyed after dinner with Audrey and Jack.

More bumper cars...

again, more bumper cars...

Shawn and I getting ready to go on The Big Bad Wolf! FUN! I was pointing to drops of blood! Ewwe!

This is Bush Gardens "sicko" ride. It is called the Griffon & opened last year.

It takes you 205 feet up and then drops you 90 degrees straight DOWN!

We also enjoyed watching Pet Shenanigans.

The show included birds, dogs, cats, pigs, ducks and a rat!

We had planned on going to Water Country on Tuesday, but ended up having to rush home... maybe some other day.