July 2014

We had a VERY busy July full of travelling in all different aspects with all different friends and family!
We started off the beginning of the month going to Yogi Bear Park with our friends the Moffitts and the Randolphs.  We had an amazing time!  We stayed with the Moffitts in their camper and the Randolph family brought their own.  All of the kids being between the ages of 4 and 8 made for a weekend of fun.  It was 4th of July weekend, so we got to decorate bikes for the bike parade, spend time at their pool and slides, watch Kate sing in the talent show, let the kids play in the huge playscape, and let the kids go ride their bikes everywhere!  SO MUCH FUN!  We can't wait to spend time camping together again!

We then came home for a week only and spent that week celebrating two of our favorite kids' birthdays!  On Colson's birthday, he got to open his presents from Mommy and Daddy and spent the day swimming with the Heemer kids and they even got a special cake just for him!  They sang to him and let him blow out a candle which was so sweet.  Each kid gets to choose what they want for dinner on their birthday.  Colson had said for a month that he wanted to go to Olive Garden.  We thought that was strange because we never go there and didn't even think he knew what it was!  Then he was saying that he could not wait for Beef and Broccoli and then we knew that he meant Oriental Garden!  That was so funny and totally precious!  We went to Oriental Garden for him and loved every minute.  He is such a special young boy with such a generous heart!  Love our little boy!

We got to see Colson's teacher and her baby Addison and baby John.  I will tell you....Brooklyn LOVES babies and is a NATURAL with them!

On Brooklyn's birthday, she got to spend time opening her presents from Mommy and Daddy, and then waited for Daddy to get off work.  We then got to take her to the American Girl Doll store which was part of her gift, and she chose Cheeburger Cheeburger!  Brooklyn got to get Kaya's hair done at the salon in the store and brought her own money to buy some good stuff at the store for her dolls.  She got some things for Kaya and some for Abigail.  She was in heaven!!!!!!!

Brooklyn is an AMAZING young lady who will do wonderful things one day!  I can't wait to see how she lives her life for Jesus!

We then headed off for our second family vacation!  We road tripped to Madison, Mississippi which is about an 8 hour drive.  The kids did EXCELLENT!  They know that our rule all this summer has been if you ask ARE WE THERE YET or HOW MUCH LONGER, they have to pay us a quarter.  Guess who never heard that question this trip!  You got it!  We spent Saturday night and Sunday night at Grandma's and left on Monday for Memphis.  Grandma took us to a really neat Craft Center and we got to spend time with her!  She was so happy to see the kids!

Spoiled by Grandma!

We did Grandma's exercises with her!

Craft Center of Mississippi!

Very neat place

Grandma has been to all 50 states except for Maine and the kids love to hear all about her adventures!

She is looking good for 84!!!

Brooklyn is almost as tall as Grandma!

Grandma always stands out to wave us good bye!

He is such a cuddle bug!

Ice Cream with Grandma after the park!

Off to Memphis!!  We arrived Monday afternoon and just spent the afternoon outside swimming in their pool and playing the Wii.  We went to the Mellow Mushroom that night which was PHENOMENAL!

The entire time we were in Memphis, there was no temperatures over 80!  It was beautiful!  We ALL go to go to the zoo on Tuesday because it was not too hot for Uncle Frank.  We LOVE the Memphis Zoo....it is so gorgeous!  Aunt Susan took off the whole week to be with us which was amazing!  We visited a famous place on Thursday called Jerry's Sno Cones which is probably the best Sno Cone I have ever had.  Layers of soft serve vanilla or chocolate.....to die for!  We got to see Malorie and Madison each night and sometimes Neil.  We spent one evening downtown at a brewery and Beal street and dinner.  It was a great time with awesome family!

We were going to go to a minor league baseball game while we were there but because of some strange transportation reason, the game was cancelled.  We were all so bummed~

BUT HAD A GREAT VACATION WITH AWESOME FAMILY!

We got home on Friday, did laundry, and repacked the same clothes to head to the Dallas area (Prosper) to visit with Meagan and Brian and the family!  We spent Sunday until Thursday morning there.  We got to visit the pool several times, the awesome Perot Museum in Dallas one day, and really enjoyed being with the kiddos and one of my friends that is like a sister!  

We got home and the next day baby John had his very first sleepover at our house!  I will say, he is the most precious baby and he LOVES his Aunt Alli!

I have been wanting to paint our pantry door...so....voila!

Finally to end our month, the kids went on a little day trip to the Blue Lagoon in Huntsville with Curt and the Giddens family.  They had a great time but mommy just wanted to not be travelling after a month of car rides.  Colson LOVED snorkeling and was awesome at holding his breath and going very DEEP!  He was fearless and Curt could not believe what he could do.  Brooklyn loved it also but was more limited because of her ear sensitivity and fear of her plug coming loose.  She did not dare to go nearly as deep but loved playing in the lagoon....such a beautiful area!

What a great month filled with friends, family and adventure!  We are so truly blessed!