Camping, Back to School and Birthdays galore

Before school started, we had one final outing.  We went camping at Harmonie State Park with friends.  It was incredibly hot as it had been all summer, but the kids had a great time swimming and going on adventures through the woods.

Sydney started 2nd grade at a new school this year.  She has made the adjustment very well.  I think having her best friend, Braylee in the same class as really helped. ; )  They are both just as excited as can be!

A few days after Sydney and Daddy started school, Addison and I started.  This will be Addison's last year at daycare/pre-school.  This is my 11th year of teaching.

We started September with a shopping trip, the Homecoming Parade (both Braylee and I were in the parade) and Papaw Jim's birthday.

Sydney and Braylee on their annual back to school shopping trip.

Papaw, Elaina, Addison, Sydney and Julia





Sydney and several of her friends and family have birthdays in September; which means it can be a very hectic/fun time for us.  We celebrated Sydney's birthday twice this year, with a friend party and a family party.  A couple of years ago, we started the tradition of combining her friend party with Braylee (best friend and cousin) who shares the same birthday.  Pretty special girls!  We had a mermaid/pool party at the local YMCA the week before their actual birthday. 

The next weekend was the family party at our home.  Sydney's grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins helped her celebrate turning 8.

September ended with my niece's 1st birthday party at Grammy and Papaw's.  It was the perfect night for an outdoor gathering of her grands, greats, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Activity packed July

I think we packed every last activity we could into the month of July! It started with my newest nephew's dedication. Then, we were off to help my sister and her family move into their new home. Before we could blink, we were back home celebrating the Fourth of July with friends. This was the first time watching the fireworks from our backyard. Very cool! Can't wait to host many more parties. ; ) After the Fourth, it was the annual camping trip to Shakamak with Tim's family, VBS, my birthday, more fun with Elaina, a little jaunt to Lincoln State Park and a 10 year anniversary trip for Tim and I to the Smoky Mountains (This is a link to the cabin we stayed in.  I would highly recommend it!)  Here is a little sample of pics taken this month. To see more, click here.

Sleepovers, swimming and more

The girls have had a blast this summer; enjoying all the things that summer brings.  With my sister and her family moving a lot closer to us, the girls have had the chance to spend some quality time together.  The girls LOVE playing together!

The fun continued with a trip to the pool with friends.  It was on this trip that Addison decided she wanted to try jumping off the diving board.  Though once she got to the end of the board, she need quite a bit of coaxing. ; )





To top off the month of June, we attended a wedding, had another little sleepover with Braylee and Brynna and watched the Little Miss pageant at the county fair.

The girls had so much fun with these cardboard boxes.  They turned them into "cabins" and Braylee was the camp director.  What a hoot it was listening to their conversations!

 At the fair, we hung out with Brynna while we waited for her big sister to take the stage.  We were so proud to watch Braylee crowned Little Miss.

 Two former queens and a Little Miss! = )