On our trip home from Joe & Katie's wedding, we stopped in Gainesville to show Reed the University of Florida campus and to see 'The Swamp' ~ UF's football stadium. Uncle Al, a former Gator football player took us through the stadium and the boys even got to play football on the field!!
Reed was in Heaven!!
Danny, Reed, Jared & Tad at The Swamp
Uncle Al & Reed
Reed on the field
Danny, Jared & Reed playing football
Reed! Grinning ear to ear :) !!
Jared!
Tad & Danny throwing the football around.
Tad!
Reed outside of the stadium
Jared ~ always messing around! 
Gatorade!!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
This is Gator Country!
Road Trip to Orlando!
July 23-25, 2010
If this picture doesn't say ROAD TRIP ~ I don't know what does! =)We made the quick trip to Orlando for Joe's wedding and squeezed in a few things while there.
Cocoa Beach! No way we'd miss the opportunity to hit a beach when we're only an hour away! :)
Tad, Jared & Steven
Reed playing in the sand
Mud bath anyone? Jared, Reed, Steven & DannyJ
ared got stung by a jellyfish ~ OUCH!! Luckily, the lifeguard had vinegar to pour over it to ease the sting.
ared got stung by a jellyfish ~ OUCH!! Luckily, the lifeguard had vinegar to pour over it to ease the sting.
Reed had to stop at the World's Largest McDonald's! (also near our hotel) Reed standing outside of it ~ he is on the second floor between the small and gigantic Ronald! This thing had an arcade in it, big flat screen TV's, a bistro, glass plates and real utencils. Cr-Azy!! Was fun but wow, what to order! :)
Ripley' Believe It or Not Museum ~ Jared, Rett & Tad
Reed's feet just don't measure up! Asa waiting his turn.Fuddrucker's for dinner! And bonus, they had a balloon lady there!
Jared w/pig, Rett w/monkey
Asa w/Pooh Bear, Ivy w/flower, Reed w/gator, Shea w/a pink elephantThe Midway by our hotel. 
Waiting in line for the high swings: Shea, Danny, Reed, Jared, Rett & Tad
Waiting in line for the high swings: Shea, Danny, Reed, Jared, Rett & Tad
Bumber Boats! Reed & Shea on far left boat, Rett close left, Jared & Ivy on boat on right.
...and a good time was had by all! Reed, Shea, Ivy, Asa, Jared & Rett
The High Swings!2 down, 1 to go... Last Wedding of the Summer
July 24, 2010
I had two nephews getting married this summer, brothers in fact. Joe & Katie got married in Orlando. It was a very beautiful, very simple wedding. I loved it!
Rehearsal dinner was a pool party w/pizza! The kids were very pleased!! :)Reed, Asa, Shea, Jared, Ivy, Rett, Tad
Family and friends gathered, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Love this! Katie is fixing Joe's hair before the ceremony... too cute!
Mother & Son ~ Susan & Joe
The ceremony has begun.
New couple with grandparents. Gma Chevrier on left, Gma & Papa Speidel on right.
Katie & Joe with parents
Reception afterwards ~ this is the big cousins table :)
Michael playing around with Reed.
The family! =)
Dancing at the reception - Joe & Katie take the first dance.
Backpacking on the AT
Thanks to Uncle Alan, who always plans week long backpacking treks on the AT, the boys all have hundreds of AT miles under their belts. These treks started when Tad was about 9 and Jared was 7. Reed did his first week long trek a month after he turned 5. So, these kids are 'weathered hikers' and not much phases them on the trail.
This year our hike crossed the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) halfway through the week where we took the day off and went Whitewater rafting down the Nantahala River. This was also the first year that wasn't only cousins but a few friends too. It was hard, hot, and uphill :) Reed had an injury that caused Katy to take him home after the rafting on Wednesday. Jared finished out the hike with his cousins. Tad didn't go, for the first time, since he had just come off the 50-miler a few weeks before and unfortunately, Danny had to work :(
Getting our packs on, adjusting our gear for the long miles ahead. Jared on left with blue bandana, Reed to the right of him with the fishing hat.
Jared & Reed, ready to go!
Have to get a shot by the sign, I mean, come on! :)
Kathryn, Dante, Philip (friends of Uncle Alan), Jared, Laura, Steven, & Reed (cousins)
Reed cooking dinner on top of the world!! You can't get a restaurant with a better view :)
Just amazing!
One of our water sources. We pump water out of springs all along the way. This one was really pretty.
Our campsite the first night. It was a beautiful spot.
Sunset from our site ~ love being out here in the mountains!
Heading out.. Reed, Jared, Steven & Uncle Alan on the trail
Break time.. Laura, Steven & Jared 
Jared & Steven... Steven says this is the best view on the AT, in his opinion :) They stopped and waited for us to catch up.
Reed on the trail
Jared, forging his own trail, always trying to cut corners!
Lunch on a fire tower. We could see 360 degrees... it was such a fantastic place to have lunch!
Breaking at a road crossing, before our last climb of the day. Yes, I'm as tired as I look! Katy, Reed, JaredSome of the trail goes straight up and straight down. This section was like climbing down a rock face. I love these parts ~ fun to hike and lots of views!
Packing up, getting ready to hike down to the NOC from the shelter Wednesday morning.
Reed by the road sign for the AT crossing at the NOC. 
Breakfast by the Nantahala River. No, we don't look like hobos at all :)
Jared cooking breakfast on his JetBoil... grits... yum!
After whitewater rafting, we had a 'real meal' at the local cafe by the river. Boy was it GOOD! 
Playing in the river, enjoying the off day from hiking.. Reed in orange, Steven in red shorts, Jared in blue.
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