Summer Fun

I thought when school was out things around our house would slow down, but it hasn't happened yet.  Here is what we've been up over the past few weeks.. 

Walker finished Golf academy. 

I guess he learned a lot because he and Scott came in 2nd in the TCC Parent-Child Tournament!

Lots of baseball!

Lots of watching baseball!

Walker has always loved Jeeps and has been saying that he wants an orange Jeep for his 1st car. 

 So we had to stop and get a picture when we saw one on at a dealership!

Bebe and Daddy Jim took all the granddaughters for their annual beach trip at the end of May. 

Lots of swimming

Anna Grace and Walker especially love to swim with Daddy! 

Hanging out with friends

Watching some Readbirds baseball.

And trying to rest a little in between all the summer fun!

Hanging out with Cousins

We always have a great time in Brandon with Nana and PopPop and Reid and Lily.  Anna Grace and Lily love playing together. 

They usually end up with glamming up with make-up, braids and heels!

This visit they even got to get manicures and pedicures!

Reid and Walker entertain themselves with Legos, Wii Games and Frisbees!

Gage and Ann Thomas came over on Saturday to celebrate PopPop's birthday.  The kids loved the water slide Nana and PopPop got for them. 

All the grands...Walker (8), Anna Grace (11), Reid (7) Lily (4), Gage (2), and Ann Thomas (1)

Happy Birthday PopPop!

AG wanted to make her own omelet so Nana just supervised.

Lily LOVES Chip ("Ship").  She follows him around all over the house!

Nana took the kids on a nature walk, but they didn't really see anything this time.

Before we left, the kids rode the zip line . . . forwards and backwards!

Even Lily got in on the action for the 1st time!

The boys waited patiently for their turns.



Goodbye School...Hello Summer

It is so hard to believe that school is over!  It seems like yesterday that I was taking their pictures on the 1st day of school!   Anna Grace ended her 5th grade year with Awards Day.  She got the Honor Roll Award, Good Citizenship Award, and Mayor's Marathon Award. 

 AG and Liza Kate 

AG & Mrs. Carodine

Walker's last day of school was hot and wet at Field Day.  All 2nd graders were given tshirts to wear the last day.  Wow!  Can't believe we only have 10 years before he is off to college!

Walker and all his buddies

Walker had a great 2nd grade year.  He made some really good friends and learned so much!  Now, bring on summer!!

Rosemary Beach Weekend

Scott and I absolutely fell in love with Rosemary Beach. The beach and water were beautiful, but we also loved the architecture, boardwalks, restaurants, shops and especially the laid back feel of the community.  A big thanks to Ken and Amy for choosing such an amazing place to have their wedding!!

Congratulations Mary Holliman!

Mary Holliman has been a fabulous babysitter for us this year.  Whenever I am working out of town, she picks up the kids from school, helps them with homework, and plays lots of games!  I think she and Walker had numerous Foosball tournaments over the year!  Although we are sad that she is leaving for college this fall, we are so happy for her and this new chapter in her life. 

Along with three other families, we had an Ice Cream Graduation Party for Mary Holliman.

 Sweet Mary Holliman played outside with the kids for most of the party. 

Mary Holliman, we pray God will guide and direct you as you begin this new phase of your life.  We look forward to seeing how He will use you in the years to come. 

Goodbye Silver Bullet

Scott and I had been talking for a couple of months about needing to get a new car.   We bought our poor "Silver Bullet" (Silver Honda Odyssey) before Walker was born.  It has been a great van, but with nearly 200,000 miles, it was time to look for something with fewer miles.

   One Saturday, Scott and I headed out (without kids) just to look at what was new on the market.   We had no intention of purchasing anything for a few months.  After walking literally every car lot in town and looking in every small SUV, we decided that our best option was, again, a Honda Odyssey! Amazingly, we found one that had everything we needed, and by dinnertime we were home with a new van!!! 

We look forward to many years of carpool, cheer trips, baseball games, and family vacations with our new van!!

Play Ball!

Walker has been so excited to start the baseball season.  I think this is his favorite sport.  He and Scott had to be at the baseball park at 7:45 on a Saturday morning for the opening ceremony.  Afterwards they headed to Shipley's for donuts and chocolate milk before his first game later that morning. 

 You gotta show some "style" when you cross the plate!!

Scott did a great job pitching!

They had a great 1st game!