Poor Gumbo

After our trip to the lake, Gumbo has been looking pretty rough. His hair became matted and nasty. So, today we took him to the groomer to get him spruced up. She looked at him and said that she was going to have to shave him in order to get the mats out. I'm telling you, it was really bad! Gumbo has never been shaved before but what else could we do? Plus, it has been so hot lately I though it might be a good idea.

When the boys and I went to pick him up a new dog walked out. He looked hilarious. I could not stop laughing. They totally shaved him but left his tail puffy. Grady dubbed him LionFox as his head looks like a lions mane compared to his body and his tail is bushy like a fox. Totally ridiculous.

Gumbo is such a happy-go-lucky dog, he doesn't seem to mind that he looks like a freak of nature. I took him running tonight and he pranced the entire way. I think he actually likes it. Much cooler, I guess.

Gumbo, the LionFox

Notice the bushy tail. The groomer even gave him a bandanna. Guess what the first thing Josh did when he saw him?.... Took off the bandanna.

Grady loves his pooch

Enjoying the grass on his skin.

Bele Chere

Asheville is a unique city to begin with, but when it is Bele Chere weekend the people watching is unrivaled. Bele Chere is dubbed "the biggest festival in the Southeastern US". It's a crazy festival promoting art and music and lasts for 3 days. Most Ashevillians seek refuge elsewhere during this weekend as it is so crowed. There are an average of 350,000 people that attend. The Scala family decided to brave the crowds and check it out. We went down on Saturday afternoon battling 100 degree temperatures. As usual, it did not disappoint.

They shut down the entire city. People and tents are spread as far as the eye can see.

After walking around in the heat, the mist area was a much needed oasis.

We stayed in the mist for a looong time.

The boys were dancing to the music in the mist.

Street performers were on every corner. This was a really cool juggling act.

They had an "Air Dog" competition. The city set up a huge pool and the dogs launched themselves into the water, trying to catch a ball. G and M were attempting to get as close as they could to the dogs.

We met up with our friends Emily and Joey who were staying in a hotel downtown. Emily is an animal rehabilitator and had a baby possum that she had just been given. No the hotel does not allow possums, she was smuggled in. Of couse in the hallway G was yelling things about the possum. Hopefully, we did not blow her cover.

When G heard that Emily and Joey had a baby possum with them, he had to see it. We made a pit stop at the hotel to meet Lousia. She was adorable.

She has to eat every 4 hours or so and still eats formula. So, Emily had to bring her along. Emily and Joey don't have kids but they have enough animals to keep them very busy! You have to admit....this little girl is cute!

Wrestlemania 2010

The boys LOVE to wrestle! Now, being a female, I don't quite understand the fascination with wrestling but if it will keep them entertained I am all for it. I just sit there and pray one of them doesn't throw the other out of the ring (my bed). You might think I would be more worried about Myles as he is the smaller one but that is not the case. Myles is a bruiser and seems to be the more athletic one of the two. He has some moves that surprise Grady every time. Grady can still toss him around but it won't be long until he can retaliate. I swear boys are like another species!

Myles signature move. He rolls around on G so he can't get up.

As you can see, it is all fun and games.

Look how happy Myles is as he squishes G's face. It's almost bed time hence the pacifier, blanket and disposable diaper. Good way to tire them out.

Head lock, point for Grady.

Steamroller!

Kiss the Cook

As most of you all know, I am the world's worst cook. I have created a plethora of nasty edibles (some not so edible) such as, deflated banana bread, salty cookies, mushy grill cheese, the list goes on and on. Today was an exception! I decided that I wanted to try to cook something new. I know Josh was shuddering as the words came out of my mouth. Josh is an excellent cook and prefers to man the kitchen.

I found a picture of a pot pie and was set on creating that masterpiece. Josh played with the kids while I took over an hour to cook (very unusual in this household). He didn't even come into the kitchen to tell me what I was doing wrong.

My efforts resulted in several golden brown, delicious pot pies. I am so proud!

Ahhh...the mouth watering deliciousness that is the pot pie

Here are a few pics of Myles eating. Otherwise known and Hurricane Moo, the most disgusting eater in the world.

Notice the cracker on his head. How did that manage to get up there?

This was just snack time. Imagine a meal....

Lake Summit

Every summer we head to Lake Summit near Flat Rock, NC. It's a wonderful private lake about 45 minutes from our house. My grandparents owned a house on the lake so my mom vacationed there every summer as a child. We were hoping that she would come to the lake this summer but she decided to rent the house for us and stay in VA. It was a fun week full of playing in the nice cool lake, catching fish and riding around in the canoe. Josh worked during the week and met us out there at night. We also invited a bunch of friends to come visit as the lake is so close to home. I can't say it was a relaxing vacation as chasing after two boys near the water was exhausting! Especially because they both think they can swim...not so much! But it was still a ton of fun.

Lake Summit

The house (I use that term loosely as it was more like a shack) had a great front porch. It was where we spent most of our time when we weren't in the water. We rent the same house every year. It is right next to my grandparents old house.

Happy brothers

What a great way to fall asleep for the night...on a porch swing with a great breeze coming off the lake.

Nico hates the water but was never far away

We can't keep Gumbo out of the water. Myles took his first canoe ride with Dad and Grady.

G jumping off of Dad's shoulders

Myles was content to sit on the dock after he fell off into the water. Luckily, he had his life jacket on and I was in after him before he could lift his head up. I was standing right next to him when it happened but I wasn't fast enough to catch him. Poor boy!

Giving me two thumbs up.

Dad's idea of a surf board.

Canoe ride

The 4th

We had a fun filled, very busy Fourth of July! It began with a parade in Montreat, a small town next to Black Mountain. The boys love a good parade complete with fire trucks, old cars and dogs dressed up in patriotic colors.

Grady and his ladies waiting for the parade to start.

Here comes the parade!

Grady and Lilyanne, one of his best friends.

Sneaky little Myles, hiding in the bushes. He learned a new word at the parade, "GUM". What he really meant was candy. All the floats were tossing it everywhere. Myles was running like crazy yelling, "gum, gum, gum".

Poor Myles took a digger right in the dirt! Look at the sweet girls helping him up. Notice G in the background not paying a bit of attention to his little bro. Not nice, Grady (but pretty typical). At least he wasn't the one who tossed him on the ground.

After the parade we checked out the fountains in downtown Asheville. The boys had a blast trying to find where the water was going to pop up next.

Myles did not expect to get a face full of water when he was looking down an empty water spout. Those fountains can be tricky.

Sitting on the fountain.

G squirting Myles in the face. What are brothers for?

Grady is learning how to ride his big boy bike. Dad had to try it out first.

He is so close. I know he will be riding by the end of the Summer. He just needs to grow one inch so he can reach the ground when he stops the bike.

Later, we headed over to our friends, Ami and Dana's, for a BBQ and fireworks. Here are all the kiddos posing for a picture.

Lighting tank fireworks. They were the biggest hit of all.

Ami and Dana just finished building their house so there is a plethora of dirt nearby. The boys gravitated to it, as boys usually do.

Dirty baby

Myles and Annabelle