We had a family day at Tollymore Forest Park yesterday (minus Philip, Kelly and Elena). Mum & Dad, David, Mark & Angela and Liz & I and the kids all drove down to Newcastle (Northern Ireland) around mid-day to spend a couple of hours together. The weather turned out to be fantastic. Mark brought his camera and took some nice photos.
We got back yesterday evening from Sligo. We had a really great time. The kids stayed with Granny and Granda for the weekend. We travelled down on Friday night and checked into the Yeats Country hotel just in time for the last sitting at the restaurant.
On Saturday, we went horse riding on the beach with Island View riding stables. We had an instructor all to ourselves which was fantastic. We loved every minute of it, but after about an hour my butt was looking forward to getting off the horse.
We walked around Sligo town for a while and visited the old Abbey there. On the way home we called in did a forest walk past Old Castle Archdale.
Check out the rest of the photos here.
I don’t use Playlists a lot - except for NHC set-lists. Here’s a playlist I made recently with some of my favourite artists and albums. I’ve highlighted my favourite songs on each album and linked to the YouTube videos. So, you should check out the videos if you haven’t heard them before.
We had a great birthday party for Nathan yesterday evening at Pump-It-Up in Raleigh, NC. Liz and I were wrecked afterward, plus I hurt my back on the bouncy castle! Still, brilliant time had by all. The staff and facilities at Pump-It-Up were great.
(Nathan: second from left)
If you are, please come visit my blog. Russia is seriously under represented on my blog statistics map. I’m particularly interested in getting a star right where I’ve placed the yellow/red square… 
Everyone else, how does your map look? Got any sparse areas you’d like to fill?
Update - 24 Jun 2008 - Hooray!
Well, first we had we Axinia who is Russian, but not actually in Russia. So that didn’t count… but whether she managed to or not, I give her the credit for sending somebody that does!
We had good fun at Hog Day down at Hillsborough. We arrived about noon today and spent about three hours there browsing the stalls and taking the kids on the rides. Katie went on her first pony ride and she was so excited. We shared a big greasey bloomin’ onion for lunch.
Barry showed me this plugin for Firefox the other day. It’s a cool way of searching YouTube, Flickr, Google and many others in 3D. It appears that support for more sites are being added all the time. The interface reminds me a bit of the coverflow feature in iTunes as you glide up and down through the search results. Check it out.
Brent, Joel and a host of other bloggers have been working hard recently at shedding some pounds. I need to too, but I won’t post that offensive logo on my blog! Ha Ha!
Anyway, the guys I think have been going about it all wrong. I’m not 100% certain, but I think they’ve probably been attending non-christian gyms. Yes, you heard me right.
They ought to re-evaluate their objectives (and that logo), get down to the The Lord’s Gym and start toning up by joining yoga Yo-God and Chariots Of Fire (spinning) classes. There is even a smoothie bar where you can purchase healthy wholesome drinks such as “Land of Milk and Honey”.
Our fitness centers are set in an atmosphere of Christian fellowship. Each Lord’s Gym combines spiritual, mental and physical growth in one setting by fostering a family environment where quality people can enjoy fitness activities without compromising their Christian beliefs. Each Center features cardio training, free weights, weight machines, circuit training, weight loss programs, a group fitness room, Yo-God, spin classes, children’s facilities, café and smoothie bar, vitamins/ supplements, a sports wear pro shop and spa services.
The Gym is also open to non-Christians or even (this-is-big) Christians not sharing the same doctrinal beliefs. Wow.
I read some press articles online and found this beauty of a quote.
Merri, who is a member with her daughter, Christyna, said she probably would not have joined a regular gym. The two of them walk on the treadmill each morning while they read and discuss the Bible.
Ms. Askey said, “It’s cool to be able to do that and not have people say, ‘What are you doing?’ ”
What? Don’t we like people asking these questions?
Before someone from The Lord’s Gym contacts me - I’m having a bit of fun - for the most part. I guess it’s fine to work-out in whatever environment you feel is best for you as a Christian - however, working-out (not that I’d know) is an ideal opportunity to create relationships and share our faith.
This made me laugh out loud in my little cubicle today.
[youtube url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1NoZ8WC8gw]
You haven’t already, you need to visit the best band blog out there.
We went cycling tonight with the kids at a Wake County park. We didn’t know it was mandatory for adults to wear bicycle helmets in Wake County parks until the ranger informed us. He ended up supplying Liz and I with two brand new helmets for free. The helmets were donated from local bike shop The Spin Cycle.
