Alright, Alright so we skipped a week!

I got so excited about my trip to Gatlinburg--I forgot to share what the kids were up to last week.  .  .shameful, I know!  Honestly, it was much of the same--we hit the pool a bit, hit the library, and just tried to keep each other busy all week!  Honestly, I don't need much help keeping busy, but the kids seem to really need some help!!  As I'm writing this I realize that Camden went to art camp last week--man, how quickly we forget!!  I'll snap some pics of him and his art and post them.  He was the only boy, but I think he enjoyed it--he seems to really have an interest in drawing and painting and I just really want to make sure we help him explore that interest as much as we can!!  So here are pics of what we were up to AFTER art camp last week ;)

Reading our books after our library visit, it's just not reading if you aren't in a fort.  .  .right??  :)

One of our yummy eats last week--Kung Pao Chicken--DEE-LI-SHUS!!

(oh and nothing has changed--the boys didn't touch this meal, but the baby loved it)

 Of course.  .  .there was some pool time!!

The boys got to cash in their free Stevi-B's buffets for reading 10 books

Apparently Evan thought it might be a rough crowd, he insisted on wearing his helmet all through dinner!  He loves to accessorize!

That's about it for last week!!  We are all excited to go spend a day on the lake Saturday to celebrate Mrs. Ratchford's birthday :)!!  It will be Evan's first trip and Camden hasn't been since he was 3!  Braelyn will be joining us as well, but I'm thinking she'll be hanging with whoever is a the house b/c a baby on a boat freaks me out a little!  Hopefully we'll get some good pics to share!

Gatlinburg

This past weekend Jason and I took a little couples trip to Gatlinburg--I'd never been there, and there was zip lining so we through caution to the wind and decided to give it a try!!  It was nice to get away just the two of us for a couple of days--but probably we won't make a repeat trip to Gatlinburg anytime soon! ;)

Jason and I half way through the Smoky Mountain Parkway, I am proud to say I made it through the whole trip without getting car sick!!

A view from the car.  .  .it really was a pretty drive!

We had this cute little fireplace in our room, even though it was 90 outside, I had to turn it on for a minute!

No really, I was frightened!!

 Ziplining!!  I can't believe I did it--it was so fun!

 Jason's turn!

Jason and I after dinner on Saturday!  We forgot to have someone take a pic!

 We took a little detour on the way home and went to have lunch with my grandparents in Asheville!  I'm so glad we got the opportunity to visit!  I know they were disappointed to not see the kiddos, but I'm hoping to make a trip up before school starts back with them!

 It was so nice to get away and just do things on our own time!!!  I know the kids had a great time with their Nana & Mopa!  I can't wait until next time!!

Shaping up to be another great week!!

We've already started preparing for next year!!  I'm happy to report that Evan can recognize all of his letters (even out of order), and Camden knows all 200 sight words for first grade already!

 Mommy & Evan started organizing his room this week--thanks Pinterest for the great idea!!  We are going to work on Camden's next--since we are getting rid of the playroom soon!

Look who can stand up!  Much to her brothers' delight--they are so thrilled every time she starts something new!!  

Relaxing in the "whirlpool" after a hard day of art camp and poolside fun!

Can you see the 2 heads??  That's Camden & Evan reading bedtime stories!  Don't you love the days that they get along so well??  This was just one of those days!!  I'm so glad I captured this!

This one is from last week!  We took a trip to Bay Creek so the boys could ride their bikes without worrying about cars!  They both did great--minimal complaining ;)

Our First Free Week

We made pudding pops--delicious, lowfat, and Pinterest inspired :)

We learned to make our beds

We made a summer wish list...

...and our summer reading goals (the boys don't know it, but I think this is my goal for them to complete before they visit with their grandparents in July)

We made some Oobleck--so fun to play with!!

 ...but we had a lot more fun cleaning it up :)

Then we finished out our week with Family Pool Day and a sleepover with GiGi and Granddaddy!

All swimmed out!!!

VBS Week at SUMC

This year the boys were both able to participate in VBS at SUMC!!  They, or I should say WE, all had a blast!!!  I was able to be a  part of the steering committee this year--even though it started out as VERY overwhelming when I initially took it on, it turned out to be such a great blessing!!!  I can't wait for next year!!!  Braelyn also went with us every day--she was in the nursery but they took them to participate in music--which she loved!!!  The message definitely stuck b/c just yesterday Evan said--"Mommy--no matter what you can trust God".  .  .it was a random statement, but hey--I'll take it!! :)

Off to VBS.  . .(oh yea, we moved in case you missed that post that I never posted, ha!)

This was the last day at Imagination Station, we put the kids in a bubble--totally cool, and proved that "Everything is possible with God!"  I'll admit, I was sweating this experiment right before the kids arrived b/c we were not getting it to work initially!!  Nothing worse than having 60+ kids waiting on you to wow them--only to disappoint them!!! 

All in all we had a fantastic week!!!  I can't think of a better way to kick off summer vacation--the boys have already been asking when they can go back!!

What a Week :)

  

The Biggest Event of Our Summer

SO.  .  .one of the biggest things we had going on this summer was Misty's wedding!!  We have all been looking forward to it all year, and it was sort of the LAST thing we were going to do before our summer officially started!!  Evan was the ring bearer, I was the matron of honor, and Camden got to help hand out programs--it was a very special family affair!!  Everyone did awesome, the baby even made it until 10, and we had a great time!!  My only regret is that I did not get a picture of all of us together fancied up.  .  .bummer :(

Evan & Mommy

 Evan with his sign--he did a great job!

 Evan & Mit

 Mit and her "old lady of honor" ;)

The Ratchfords!!!!

I know there are pics somewhere of the baby, and of Camden--I'm pretty sure we got one of Misty and Camden, but it was such a crazy day I don't remember who took it!!  I'll post some more if I get my hands on them!

Summer Days!!!

Okay, I know it's been a while.  .  .I mean, a REALLY long while!!!  Don't try to give me a guilt trip, I give myself one every time I go read all of my favorite blogs and realize how long it's been since I've touched this one!!!  I think I've found some inspiration to get me back here--not that I need inspiration, my 3 children give me PLENTY of inspiration-but they also suck my energy and brain cells ;)!!!  SO--rather than backtrack, which is completely overwhelming--I'm going to try to just move forward.  I will try to post every day or every week pics from our summer!  Not only does this encourage me to start posting again (b/c we all know I won't be able to post just pics, I'll have to give a run down as well), but it will also encourage me to throw out the chore list and pick up the summer wish list!!!  

Starting.  .  .right.  .  .NOW!!!!!

BEACH TRIP MAY 2012

Rooftop at Whiskey Bravo

Family trek to the beach.  .  .

The Boys

B did NOT love the beach.  .  .

.  .  .but she was convinced to stay after snacks were offered

rough life

she slept almost the whole time we were down there!

so--for those of you who don't know, we had another baby since last time I was on here--SURPRISE!! :)  I have had my hands a bit full, but I promise to try to take a time out every so often and make sure I'm posting!!!  This is only from our first week of summer, we are into week 3 right now so I've got some catch up to do!!  Right now though, I'm working on dinner and I should probably get to it!!  Until next time.  .  .