Canoeing & Kayaking!

I took Jessica & Jaycie canoeing and kayaking with a group of kids from our church. All of the kids had so much fun... we did the canoes first & did a tour around the lake. When we got back to shore, we let all the kids take turns in the kayaks. Jessica has kayaked before and took off. This was Jaycie's first time... I wasn't sure if she could control the kayak. Well, I was wrong! She did awesome... took off and had perfect control... & was able to turn around w/o a problem! I have video of it... but apparently it is too large for me to upload...

Fun Stuff

Sprinkler soccer... we should have done this sooner in the summer... water the grass & wear out the kids at the same time! They LOVED it!

Jaycie, Jamie, & Allie @ small group cook out!
WITH - Wolfpack In The House!

3K Preschool!

After Labor Day, Jamie & Jacob started preschool again! They were very excited to go back, especially since the girls have been in school several weeks. They did not understand why they could not go back and have the same teacher... but after they met Mrs. Thompson, they were happy to be in a new class. They are going on MWF mornings and they really love it! They have such a cute class this year!!!

On the way in...

Peeking in the door...
Jamie finds her hook...
Jacob finds his hook...

Pig Pickin'

We had an awesome time at the Scott's annual pig pickin'! We spent a quick weekend in NC w/friends... it was so great to see all of you!!! The kids LOVE to see their friends! And the laughs were as good as always!

The WFPC ladies! Sam, Teir, Ginny, Carole, Jennifer, Tammy, Janet, Wilkie

The WFPC little ladies! Madison, Morgan, Jessica, Lydia
Jaycie & Hannah
Caroline

Miley & Jacob
Two of the fellas... Matt & David

Painting!

The twins went to stay with Dad & Ann for a week when the girls started school! This was their first week away - they had the greatest time! While they were gone and the girls were in school, I painted the last coat in the dining room, painted the playroom, and painted the twins' bedroom. It used to be sunshine yellow... now it is blue! They loved it when they came home!!

Back To School

I have gotten very behind on my blog... so better late than never, right? Jessica & Jaycie started school in mid-August and love it. Jessica is in 4th grade, Jaycie is in 1st. Hunter, our neighbor, started kindergarten this year! Here are a few pics from the first day!

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...