Lemonade anyone???

The kids have been dying all summer to have a lemonade stand. It has been so hot that i really hated for them to be outside in the sun trying to make a buck. But, saturday was great, summer, but the weather was breezy...so perfect for a lmonade stand.
We found this cute stand at Costco and it was a huge hit with the kids. Ann Elizabeth "worked it" of course and everyone had their job. Dad's was to set up the stand and haul the stuff to the top of the hill. Mine...make the lemonade and fetch the ice. Walter's..ummm...just assist and hand out Dum-Dum lollipops when necessary and he would get a cut of the money.
The kids worked hard for about and hour and made $13.00....all on $1 cups of lemonade. CRAZY! They had a great time and we ran out of lemonade. I am sure it is only a matter of time before we do it again!
Great Summer Memories!!

Back to School Day!

Today was the annual Back to School Day at Carmel Christian. It is always an exciting day, albeit a little boring to the kids at first. The children get to go in and take their school supplies to their room, set up their cubby/desk and meet their teachers. Walter was a little excited. He knew his teachers, Mrs. Beerbower and Mrs. Rebsamen, already (Ann Elizabeth had them in Kindergarten also) but he really was happy to get his supplies put away and check out his new classroom.
Ann Elizabeth was super excited. She hadn't meet her new teachers Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Crotts yet so I think that was the highlight of the morning. Ann Elizabeth got to go to her desk, get it all organzied and check out her new room as well. We were very happy to see that she had some old friends from Kindergarten in her classroom as well as some from 1st grade.
We have 4 great teachers and we are ready for the new school year.

Myrtle Beach fun with our family!

Ahhhh Myrtle Beach. My kids choice of a beach over Charleston, SC. They love it. We went for a long weekend, just like every year, before school starts back. We stayed at a great resort with really neat pools and an ocean front room. We enjoyed eating at The Giant Crab, The Game Zone (Ultimate Pizza Kitchen), and Liberty at Broadway. The kids love doing all the "MB stuff". This year we went to Wonder Works and The Aquarium. It was great and the kids got to see a real mermaid. She was a huge hit! It rained on us every night this year so no beach pictures, but we did get to see a fantastic pirate show...Pirates Voyage. It was great. I love these trips to the beach with our kids. They are so much fun and love getting out to seek new adventures...like the Sky Wheel. It was amazing and the kids loved to be that high up in the air. The best part is that you are in an air conditioned capsule type thing and you are so high that you can see as far as the eyes will reach on the ocean and all across Myrtle Beach. So amazing!! All of these adventures make for such great memories.

Fun at the beach!!!


Ripply's Aquarium


Sky Wheel Fun

Wrap up to Ann Elizabeth's first year on Swim Team!

Ann Elizabeth participated in swim team in the neighborhood this year for the first time. She did amazing! It was great to see her improve from the beginning to the end of the season. She was so determined to win at races and get the ribbons. At the end of the season they have an awards ceremony and everyone gets a trophy. They also give awards to those who won the most points in their heats, most improved, MVP, etc. Ann Elizabeth received the Most Improved award and we couldn't have been happier for her!!

Lake fun in the sun with friends!

Summer is always so much fun on the lake. We love to have our friends out to enjoy the lake and the boat with us. This year Daddy got us a jetski so that was extra added fun. All summer long on the lake and no where else we would rather be as a family!!!

Walter learns to cross the Monkey Bars!!!

While visiting our friends in Myrtle Beach, Walter jumped on the monkey bars and went across for the fist time. He was sooo excited. This is was the first time that he had ever crossed the monkey bars and he was super excited. He was the cutest thing showing me going back and forth. So glad I had my camera to catch this sweet moment!

Visiting with The Milligans!

The kids and I went on a short road trip this week. We traveled to Myrtle Beach to visit my bestfriend from childhood, Dorothy Milligan, and her 3 munchkins. This was the first time that we have all been together, with kids, since we both hade children. I was a little hesitant about how it was going to work out with 5 kids in the house with ages ranging from 11 months to 7 1/2, but it was fantastic. Dorothy and I got to catch up on life and the kids played beautifully. It was super hot and humid (the hotest week of the year), so we didn't get to the beach or do much outside play. We did get out in the evening and go to the pool and we even ventured out to the mall one night and let the kids do the indoor bungee jumping. They all loved it and despite the heat and lack of naps and sleeping, they got along great.
It was so wonderful to be with my bestie again and spend quality time with her and her kids.


Let's hope they stay this sweet!!!


Me and my bestie since age 5 (maybe even younger)


All the kidos!


Dorothy read a book to the kids every night. She is so awesome!!!


Sassy Sarah Grace!

4th of July!

4th of July was so much fun. We spent the weekend at the lake with friends and then went to a family cookout in Clover with my Mom's extended family that they have every year. It was great seeing cousins from near and far and the kids loved swimming in Uncle Jack's swimming pool.

A Walker visit

Our great friends The Walkers came to visit us this week. We love Melody and the children so much. They are so special to us. Melody and I met when Ann Elizabeth and her Noah were only 18months old in Gymboree. Ann Elizabeth was smitten right away with Noah and always wanted to be near him and love on him. Since then we have added 3 children to our friendship and we have moved twice, but still remain close friends.
Melody brought the kids up to spend a few days with us and we wore them out. Between Carowinds, the water park and playing outside the kids had a blast. We had so much fun spending time with our life-long friends!




Fast Buddies


Precious Girl

Father's Day

Father's Day this year was lots of fun. We spent the day at the lake with my parents. We started with lunch at Tbones and then to the boat we headed. Walter enjoyed being with the kids and I enjoyed having my Dad with us. Swimming, fishing and relaxing...what else could a Dad want on Father's Day?!

I am so thankul to have these 2 men in my life. Walter is the best husband and father to our children. He is so patient and kind and never lets anything bother him. He is so calm and knows exactally how to talk to the children when they are upset. He loves with all of his heart and adores me and the children. He loves God and really tries to instill that into our kids. I love this man!!!

My Dad is a rock as well. He is so strong and so encouraging. He has always been there for us when we neeed him and stands strong no matter what.

Strawberry Picking

The week after school was out we planned out first Summer activity. We went strawberry picking. We try to go every year and I think have only missed one year since the kids were little. We went to our favorite farm over near Ballantyne, Hall Family Farms. Little did I know that the family that ownes it, we know from our old church Harrison United Methodist. Lara and her family run this farm and they have the sweetest strawberries. The kids picked lots so we were able to eat some plain and the rest we made into chocolate covered strawberries. They were all sooo good!