Bear Hunt

For those of you that really know Jaycie, our "I want to grow up to be a Princess" girl... you will get a kick out of this. For those of you who don't know her well... you will know her a little better after this story.

Jaycie was reading "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" to us this afternoon.... we go through the grass, through the river, then get to the mud. Jaycie reads... "We can't go over it. We can't go under it. Oh, no! We've got to go through it!" Then she looks at me with a funny expression and says, "Well I would just go home!"

That kid cracks me up!

Last Summer Trip....

I took the kids on one last road trip for the summer. James stayed home b/c of work & school, while the critters & I headed home to Raleigh then down to Murrell's Inlet, SC. In Raleigh, we spent time with great friends from home... Shannon, Matthew (1 yr old) & Miss Emma... at the park... our old stomping grounds b/c we went to this park ALL the time... usually w/Emma! Jaycie & Emma are 2 months apart in age... they have been best buddies since birth... Jaycie's first play date ever was w/Emma, before they were even crawling! Jaycie & Emma started preschool together and have always gotten along so well. When we are able to see them now, it is like no time has passed! We REALLY miss seeing them... especially now that Shannon is expecting her 3rd baby next month!!!

We stayed w/Mom & Jim... and celebrated Sydney & Shelly's birthdays (my niece & sister)! Sydney is 2... and Jamie & Jacob said now she is not a baby anymore... so we call her Sydney, not Baby Sydney! Sydney was horrified when we lit the candles on her cupcake... if looks could kill... who in their right mind would put a cupcake in front of a 2 yr old and then set it on fire!!!??? All was well once she realized that she could still EAT the cupcake!

It's all in the family... Me, Jamie, Jacob, Sydney, Jan, Jaycie, Jessica, Mom, Shelly, & Jim

Mom was able to take some time off from work while we were in town and we spent one morning at the Natural Science Museum... we love to go there. The kids had a great time! Thanks for having us, Mom & Jim... and for always allowing your house to be turned into one great big playroom!!

After Raleigh, we headed to Murrell's Inlet to visit Geri! We love visiting Huntington Beach State Park... watching the gators (Jacob's favorite)... being on the beach... and relaxing by the pool!

When I look at this picture of Jessica... I really cannot believe how much she has grown up. I am so proud of the person she is... warm, caring & tenderhearted. Time really does pass quickly and my little girl isn't little anymore... I can only imagine what the future holds for her!

These pictures of Jamie & Jacob crack me up... they were being such hams in front of the camera that night... Jacob had us all rolling!

We have really had a great summer! We have been blessed to have been able to travel so much to visit friends & family!! I am sad to see it end, but excited about a new school year! I just wish we could have one more week of summer...

July Fun!

We have had a GREAT summer! I cannot believe how fast it has gone by! Here is the quick July update:

DANCE CAMP: Jaycie did a week of dance camp and LOVED every minute of it! The theme was "Aloha"... she did jazz, tap, & ballet. She says jazz was her favorite. She would not show me any dance moves she was learning during the week... I had to wait b/c it was a surprise for the show at the end of the week.

Sweet friends - Grace, Jaycie, & Allie

Jamie is a proud little sister and can't wait to join Jaycie at camp next summer!

NC MOUNTAINS: We spent a long weekend in the NC mountains at Dad & Ann's house. It is always SO relaxing to go there! James & Dad played golf... we went blueberry picking... we had a picnic and played in the river... we played at the pool... James & I had a dinner out on my birthday... the kids played "golf"... they caught fireflies... and we spent a lot of time relaxing!

Memommy & the kids before picking blueberries... she always gives the kids hats before picking!

Because the berries just taste better when you have to stand on your tip toes to pick them!

We cooked s'mores... the kids loved it... I love the view!My birthday cake... appropriately themed to match our life... a ZOO!When we got home from the mountains... I enjoyed a birthday dinner w/great friends!

Thanks, ladies... you guys are awesome!
Leslie, Angie, Maria, Londa, & me

THE LAKE: Our neighbors invited us to spend a day on the lake with them... we had such a wonderful time! The kids loved riding on the boat, tubing, swimming... and we even grilled out on one of the little islands... what a great day! Jessica learned to knee board... she got up in 3 tries and did AWESOME. James tried to knee board but didn't have the same result ;o) We have been blessed with awesome neighbors... Londa, Troy, & Hunter!