Beach Vacation

We got to go to the beach with Tim's family the week before last!  

We had a really great time .... lots of relaxing, playing games and hanging out!

Unfortunately, Mark, Kathy, Dacee and Ryen weren't able to come to the beach this year.  We did get to have lunch together at the "Back Porch" in Panama City Beach!  

It was great to see them and hang out for a bit! The kids have grown so much and were doing all kinds of new things!

The pool was super fun... 

Steven, Vadessa, Lauren Ashley and Parker introduced us to Geocaching!  It is so fun to hunt for these hidden treasures.  On this day, we hunted for one in a nearby state park.

It was hidden near the ground inside this tree, covered with some moss and driftwood!

Hanging out at the house...

Nonna and Susanna sharing the same toenail color!

Lauren Ashley entertained us with her guitar playing and singing.  She really is so talented.  It's so touching to listen to her and watch her do something she loves so much! What an amazing young woman she is becoming!

Uncle Tim being so silly - I just love the big smile on her face!

Parker and Eli learned how to play chess and actually played a few matches!  Pretty fun to learn something new.... Parker is pretty sly and caught on so fast! 

Cool new looks for nails!

At the beach...

There is just something about the beach... 

where else is God's majesty so great and profound and "in your face?"

The kids have turned into little fish. I loved watching them have so much fun in the water.  It's so encouraging after many years of someone not wanting to get in or put his/her head underwater... I need to remember that when I get frustrated thinking we will be stuck in a certain phase forever!

It's wonderful to see them enjoy this massive gift we've been given to explore and play in...

We celebrated Susanna's upcoming 3rd birthday, too!  

Lots of fun... can't wait to go back!

Summertime Fun

Yay!  It's officially summer!  The week before last was our first week when all the kids were home from school!  I was so happy to have them together, but I knew we needed to have a little structure to our summer days or we would end up in some not so happy situations! 

I turned to my new friend, Pinterest!  I found a lot of great ideas to try! 

This one is my favorite!

We actually did all these that first week, and it turned out really well!  It gave the kids something to look forward to each day, and we still had time for a few chores, time outside to play and exercise and swim, do some reading and violin practice and lots of free time with toys!

Here is Susanna reading a book on library day!

Everyone enjoyed Field trip Friday! We went to the Children's Museum...
Susanna loved the kid sized grocery store!

Eli liked building the Arch like the one is St. Louis!

Madeline really liked this new peg thing where you push your body part against the pegs and they poke through the other side.  It was fun watching each other!

Before we went home for lunch, there was a story telling and craft time!  The kids made bird marionettes!  The teacher was great, and the kids loved all the materials they got to use - dot paints, toilet paper rolls, feathers, eye stickers!  Great project!

Last week we went to the beach (will post soon!) and next week Eli has zoo camp and Madeline has a sewing camp until 2 pm.  We are going to try these activities again this week after the kids are back from camp in the afternoons... So much fun to be had in the summer, so little time!

Good Friends Visit

Yay!!  My wonderfully awesome friend from high school, Amanda and her kids came for a weekend visit!  They live in Mobile and come through Memphis on their way to visit Amanda's mom and dad and brother in St. Louis.  It's such a treat for us to see them along the way!!!!!  They spent the night, and the kids got to have a long time to play!  Amanda and I got to have a long time to catch up!!!!  Fun all the way around!

Lilith and Edie brought bday gifts for our kiddos!  

They all had a great time using stamps and making bracelets with beads!

They made a fun fort in the living room! 

Old friends are such a treasure! 

It's so fun that our kids are friends and look forward to seeing each other, too!!!

Brandon Graduates

Memorial Day weekend, we took a trip to Nashville to visit some very close friends - the Green family. I babysat for Brandon and Ailie when I was a junior and senior in college.  I just love this family! We've kept in touch all these years and now, Brandon is graduating from high school and Ailie is entering her last year of college at UT.  

Brandon's going to Alabama in the fall with a full ride and a fellowship!

Lots to celebrate!

I just had to add this.... here are Ailie and Brandon at our wedding! 

They still have the same sweet smiles and personalities!  

Just a little taller (Brandon is A LOT taller, actually!!!)

Yum!  Dig in!!!

To get to your table at the restaurant, you walk through the kitchen!  The kids loved this!!!

The next day, we went to a wonderful community built playground. 

 The kids had a blast, and we had a little more time to catch up!  

Unfortunately, Brandon had to work....

We had a great time visiting!  Really don't know how time flies so fast...... 

Can't wait to see the Greens again!  Hopefully soon!