Fun on the Boat!

We spent a day on the boat with our neighbors, Londa, Troy, & Hunter. We are VERY blessed to have such wonderful neighbors... they are like family to us! The weather was beautiful and we all had a blast! Jessica tried to water ski... she can get up out of the water but has not been able to keep her balance for long... we think we know what to change next time! Hunter, Jessica, & Jaycie all went knee boarding (Jaycie's first time)... and all the kids (except Jacob) went on the tube. The adults took turns in the water, too! (I love to ski... and was REALLY sore the next day!) The guys took turns to see who could THROW the other off the tube the fastest... they are crazy. We had grilled shrimp and hamburgers for lunch (YUM!)... and spent a lot of time jumping off the boat into the water! We had so much fun and cannot wait to go again!

James helping Jessica

Hunter & JaycieJessica

Jamie

Hunter

Jessica Jacob on the boat...

contemplating if he should go in the water or not!

And he decides yes... as long as water doesn't get in his face!

Myrtle Beach Trip

We met our friends... David, Karla, Alex, & Taylor... from PA for a long weekend together in Myrtle Beach. We only get to see them every 1-2 years... but the kids always instantly recognize each other and get along so well! James & I always have an awesome time hanging out with David & Karla... we REALLY wished they lived closer! We spent a lot of time playing on the beach... the kids LOVED boogie boarding... the older girls got to go parasailing... and we took the kids to the Dixie Stampede (on Jessica's birthday)!

The view from our suiteBottom: Alex & Jessica

Top: Taylor, Jamie, Jacob, & Jaycie
Three little mermaids!
This is JAMIE...

she has absolutely no fear of the water this year

and LOVES the boogie board!

Jessica, David, & Alex are ready to parasail!

They LOVED it!

The Dixie Stampede...

(David, you know you tricked us into sitting on the North side...

but the South won - that night, anyway!! HA HA)

Equestrian Camp x 2

It wouldn't be summer without equestrian camp, right? Jaycie did day camp for a week at the farm where Jessica takes lessons. Jessica choose a week long overnight camp with the Girl Scouts. They both loved it!

Jaycie on Cocoa

Jaycie & Karen (her counselor)

Jessica & Sydney
(Jessica's counselor from camp last year and from her lessons.)

Jessica is ready for the masquerade ball at her camp!
Jessica, Sam, & Ellie.... bunk mates!
Jessica's camp... she loved it!

These are the pictures I took when we dropped Jessica off. Her horse for the week was named Jim. She took pictures... but I have not gotten them developed, yet. I cannot wait to see the ones she took! She wants to go back next summer... surprised?? I'm not!

Party Animals!!!

Jessica turned 10 years old in June!!!! WOW... seems like just yesterday we brought home our first precious little baby girl... and now she is such a sweet, loving, caring young lady. She is growing up so quickly. Words cannot begin to express how proud we are of her! For her party, she wanted to have a sleepover party with her friends and then take them with her to volunteer at the animal shelter. It was the perfect party for her... she said she wants to do the same thing next year... and a couple of her friends said they wanted to do the same for their birthday!

The Invitation

Jessica made her own invitation on evite this year!

She found the perfect one!

The Friends

We are very blessed that Jessica has found sweet, loving friends!

(Front: Marianna, Mary Frances, Joanna, Riley)

(Back: Jessica, Carrie)

The Cake

Perfect for the theme, don't you think?

The Candles
TEN of them this year... hard to believe!

The Gifts

In lieu of gifts this year,

Jessica asked for donations for the shelter...

and she was beyond happy!!

(Proud mommy here... smile!)

Volunteering at The Shelter
All of the girls were SO excited to volunteer at the shelter. They played with kittens, bathed puppies, played outside with the dogs... everyone picked favorites... and somehow we managed to come home with no new furry friends. It is so difficult to leave them there...

Seriously difficult to resist all of these sweet faces....

The ones I REALLY wanted to bring home....

Jessica & I are thinking of moving to a farm...

but we are having a hard time convincing James!

Happy Birthday, Jessica!!!

We love you!!

Hanging Rock State Park

The first weekend of June, we went camping at Hanging Rock State Park with my mom, stepdad, sister, brother-in-law, and niece! We had the greatest time... it was so nice to get away without TV, computers, Wii, cell phones, etc. The weather was perfect and it was such a relaxing weekend! We swam in the lake, rented canoes, ate smore's by the campfire, hiked, hiked, and hiked! They have great hikes there to multiple water falls... and they were easy enough for all the kids. The water falls there are BEAUTIFUL... and you can climb/play in all of them! The first day we hiked to Upper Cascades Falls. The next day... Hidden Falls and Window Falls. The kids loved Window Falls b/c they could play behind the waterfall. The last day, we hiked to Lower Cascades Falls... this was my favorite!! Next time, we won't wait to do this hike on our way out of town... we will go there with PLENTY of time to play in the pool at the bottom of the fall!

All the "grands" with Nana & Papaw...

Jacob, Jamie, Sydney, Jaycie, and Jessica.

Sydney playing at Upper Cascades Falls.

Window Falls...
Lower Cascades Falls...