Camp Papa & Memommy

Jessica spent 10 days in the NC mountains at Camp "Papa & Memommy" (my dad & stepmom)! She loves, loves, loves going there!! They took her to the Biltmore, to Dollywood to ride roller coasters all day, to Santa's Land, & horseback riding... just for a little bit of "spoiling!" I don't have pictures from Dad, yet... but I know they had a wonderful time because she really didn't want to come home. The rest of us joined her for a long weekend and we had such a nice time... VERY relaxing! We had a picnic & played in the Oconaluftee River... and we went RAFTING on the Tuckaseegee River. Jessica has been before, but this was the first time for the other kids. The girls all LOVED it... Jacob wasn't feeling great and says next time he would rather stay home and play golf with Papa. Jaycie has her turn at Camp Papa & Memommy next week... the twins go the week after that! We are so thankful for all the time Papa & Memommy spend with the kids!!!

Memommy & Jacob in the Bamboo forrest.

James & I had Jamie & Jacob in our raft!

Dad & Ann took Jessica & Jaycie in their raft!

July 4th: Fun Times, Fishing, & A Family Reunion in NC

We spent July 4th weekend in NC with James' family... we did a day trip, played in the river, the kids fished, we had a family reunion, watched the fireworks on the river, and had tons of fun! Our day trip was to the Outer Banks to climb the Currituck Beach Lighthouse, visit the Wild Horse Museum in Corolla, & to visit the Grave Digger shop! It was a beautiful day!!

Getting ready to climb...

they all did it!

At the top of the lighthouse...

Jimmy, Anne, and the kids

Jessica's favorite stop...

Jacob's favorite stop...

Jessica, Grant, Jaycie, & Sage

We had a family reunion at Jimmy & Anne's house on the 4th! We had a great time... and I actually remembered everyone's name this time! Jessica thought it was neat that she had cousins she had never met! The kids played on the water and everyone else got to catch up!

Crazy cousins... Lisa & James

Jacob getting pointers from the boys...

The first generation...

Jimmy & his 1st cousins (& spouses)

Some of the 2nd generation...

Some of the 3rd generation...

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!