Smithville (Village) Park Winter Walk: Set 1

I'm here in Smithville for the weekend.  My sister-in-law Megan's Birthday is Monday, so we went out to celebrate today.  Yummy lunch as a family at B-W's in Massillon. 

My parents and I also had some important business to deal with, my car.  I had an accident on Wednesday.  I'm fine. The other driver is fine.  Minimal damage to her car, just paint transfer and scratches.  My car isn't too bad, but the insurance company has decided to total it.  TOTAL it.  That's a big deal.  The damage is kinda bad, and the car is old; so, it is just not worth their while to repair it at this point.  So, now we are on the look for a new car.  I will get a small payout for my car, but my parent's are going to have to 'help' me buy a new car. 

Dad has been looking and basically, I don't care what he gets.  I know I should but honestly just as long as I can drive it and it runs well,, I could care less.  He knows I don't want something big, no crazy colors, etc.  We'll buy a GM car and that will be that.  He's the one who will end up dealing with major problems.  I just need to know where the battery, oil, antifreeze, break and power steering fluid, etc. go and how to check them.  Easy maintenance stuff that I can and usually do.  So, we'll see.  We hope to have something this week.  Well, we kinda have to.  I have to call the insurance company Monday and get the work started to actually total the car and get rid of it.  Then I'm gonna need something to drive when that is done.  This is nerve wracking.  Thank goodness the car is still able to be driven and doing well, for now...we don't know how long that will last.  So, the sooner the better.  (I have appointments, as usual in Columbus, several evenings this week.  I NEED a reliable car.)

Anyway, sorry to ramble, I'm home and it was warm enough this morning (24 degrees!) so I went on a walk to and through Smithville Park.  Lovely with the 6 inches of snow and the half frozen creek.  I took a lot of pictures and I'll post half tonight and half tomorrow.  (Wow, look at me, 2 series of photos going at once!-Botanical Garden and now this Winter Hike. I'm a Blogger.) 

I hope you like them.  I loved the hike, and if I hadn't had to come home to get ready to go out to lunch, I would have gone much longer; but family comes first.  Even before my desperate need for solace and silence (and to take pictures of and in nature.)  (eep) 

Enjoy the pictures and I hope you're all safe and loving this beautiful winter weather.  I am!!!!

Oh and I forgot an item for my list of things I want/need for hiking.  I've wanted these for a while and can not believe I forgot - SNOWSHOES!

Family Christmas (and a Birthday!)

So, here they are.  My Christmas pictures.  I don't know why its taken me so long to finally get these done.  I've done several other sets of photos in between and just haven't done these.  Well, now they're finished! 

I hope you like them.  Don't laugh too hard at us.  We're a strange lot, but at least our kids are cute!  Enjoy!!!

Dad on Christmas Eve opening presents.  Love the scarf Mom made him.  Also note the dog's opinion of the entire process!

Mom opening presents Christmas Eve.  A new Dutch Oven for camping!  We are all really excited about this one!!  (seriously, we are...)

A few of my gifts from Christmas Eve (from my parents.)  A cookbook, a beautiful shawl my Mother made and a new devotional.

Mom, Kayla, Megan (Logan too) and Phil on Christmas Day at Andy & Angela's!

One of my favorite pictures!  Look at how grown up my boy is!!!!  Nicholas Todd is the coolest boy ever!  (At least in my opinion.  I love that we can talk now for the longest time about books, comics, school, etc.)

Nicholas & Kayla opening a joint gift.  Paul was included but lost interest quickly.

Nicholas with a new batman action figure.

Paul in one of the capes I made him.  How cute is that kid?

Paul watching his Mom (Angela) open a couple of his gifts.

Andy opening his exchange gifts with the family anxiously looking on.

Aunt Eileen opening her exchange gifts.

Nicholas was bored while waiting for the adults to open their gifts. So he read one of his new Spiderman books!

Phillip opening his exchange gift.  A Bart Simpson T-Shirt.

Trying to teach Paul how to play dice.  He throws them more than rolls them.

This picture is circa 2009.  Paul and Uncle Phillip.  Look how little my baby is...

Paul & Uncle Phillip this year.  Look how BIG my baby is!!!!  How the time flies.  Yes, Phillip is wearing the same shirt in both pictures.  (And I have to note, these 2 are so much alike!  Personality and appearance.  Paul also adores his Uncle Phillip.  It is so precious!!!!)

Photo courtesy of Paul Edward Bumgardner.  Picture of Grandma.

Photo courtesy of Paul Edward Bumgardner.  Picture of Grandpa.

Photo courtesy of Paul Edward Bumgardner.  Picture of Aunt April.  (I hate having my picture taken and try to avoid it at all cost.  It is amazing what I will do for my kids.)

Photo courtesy of Paul Edward Bumgardner.  Picture of Aunt Megan.

Photo courtesy of Paul Edward Bumgardner.  Picture of Uncle Clair.

Photo courtesy of Paul Edward Bumgardner.  Picture of Daddy.

Nicholas 'flying' in one of his capes.

Okay.  I love this picture.  He is so cute.  Notice the feet: one sock on, one sock off.  The only problem is, I hate how well he uses this iPad. 

Adorable.

Out to lunch the day after Christmas for Phillip's 30th birthday!!!!

The Old Man himself with his daughter, wife (son) and Mommy.  So sweet.

My baby boy.  But not for long.  Soon he won't be the youngest.  Can you imagine having to say no to this face?  Its tough, but he is a trouble maker.  We do it ALL the time!!!!

Photo courtesy of Paul Edward Bumgardner.  Picture of the family.

Photo courtesy of Nicholas Todd Bumgardner.  Picture of (crazy) Aunt April and Paul.  (Yeah another picture of me and its a doozy!)

Photo courtesy of Nicholas Todd Bumgardner.  Picture of Kayla.  Poor Kay.  She was trying to do the Jr. Birdman face and didn't quite get it finished before Nick took the photo.  But she looks cute none-the-less.

Pooh's Birthday

Some of you may not know but since she was born I have called Kayla Sue, Pooh.  She is my little Pooh bear!  Last Saturday she turned 7!  I am still having a bit of difficulty wrapping my brain around that and don't want to talk about it too much.  My baby is 7!  How is that possible?  It seems like yesterday that she was our little Christmas Angel all sweet in her little red dress, laying in her bouncer, cooing and being passed around.  Just 2 weeks old her first Christmas, so tiny and sweet.  Our first baby. Okay, I'm starting to cry...

So, here are some photos from Kayla's birthday party.  I don't even want to think about what July will be like.  Nick turning 7 too and Paul turning 3!  No, that's too much, gotta go.  Enjoy!

Paul, wanting to be the center of attention.  Kayla, opening TONS of presents.

See, tons of presents.

The purse I made her.

Paul giving Kayla a kiss as she laid down for her 'nap'.

Posing with her new mini pillow pet.  Why does she look drunk?

Love, love, love, love, love, love this picture.  Look at those big eyes!  She wanted this picture taken.  Her new puppies.  She was so excited about those dogs.

Posing with the purse her Auntie made her.

My three babies in front of the tree.  (At Phillip & Megan's house.)

Monkey children.  I love the odd look on Nicholas' face!

'Nicholas Todd! Do not take my picture!'

Ribbon dancing.  Thanks Grandpa & Grandma B.

Nicholas the wild man and my Mom.

Nicholas ribbon dancing.  I was impressed.  His hand-eye coordination is sometimes a little so-so.  Way to go baby!

The eager model.

More modeling.

Paul found his favorite thing, a Train!!!!!

All three kidos with the train.

Paul showing Aunt April his new bed and room.  What a big boy!  Stop GROWING UP!