Sunday, July 24, 2011

A 4th of July Celebration, Something Tragic and a little vacation.

We had so much fun last year in Kentucky going to the lake and spending it with family, this was the ONLY thing the girls requested to do this year for summer break. So we thought that the 4th of July week would be the perfect time to go. All started out GREAT. We celebrated the 4th on Sunday with tons of Fire Works. They were just beautiful. In all, I think we shot over $500 worth. It was a big display to say the least. :) 

I also went with my cousins wife to her mothers home. It is the oldest home in the county. I was in total amazement. 
This is the Smoke house and the old barn.

This is the stone that the women would use to get on the horses.

The original fire place.

The stair case that goes up to the second story.

The second story loft.

The holes they used to put the barrel of the guns through to shoot any unwanted guest.

This goes down to the basement. It use to house the slaves who worked the farm. It has a dirt floor and wood  (Log) sides for walls. 

This is a picture of the out side of the house. The left side is were most of the pictures came from. The right side was added on to a few years after the original home was built.

Here are some Mules that call this property home.

On the 4th of July, we went around to my Uncle Doug's and Aunt Margie's house for a small family celebration. 

This, unfortunately, would be the last living photo of my Uncle Doug.

He passed away the next morning in a logging accident. Justin and his two sons were by his side. This is a picture of where the accident took place.


They had his log truck lead the funeral procession. Some of the guys in town came and had it cleaned up.

The funeral line was over a mile long. Justin and I are the 2nd car in the line. If you look close you can see the line of cars.
Justin was asked to perform the funeral and grave side service. The spirit was very strong and he did a wonderful job at honoring my Uncle. It was another testament to me of just how blessed I am to have Justin in my life. To share with you my thoughts on my uncle,  Uncle Doug was one of the greatest men I know. He was so loving and kind hearted. I never heard him talk foul of anyone. He was the kind of man that would go with out just to make sure you had it. He loved his wife passionately and his kids and grandkids with all his heart. He had a wonderful personality and full of pranks and jokes to go with it. I will miss him so much but know that he know has much work to do on the other side of the vale. 

To close our week in Kentucky we did take a day and night and go to the lake. We had a great time and had lots of laughter and smile but a since of somberness hung over. Here are a couple of pictures that captured some fun.

 My Cousin Lorie and Wendell and his wife Lisa.

 Emma and Grace had just come down the slide on the back of the party barge.

 Riding the tube!

 A couple of the cousins.

Us all hanging out.