Vacation to the mountains

Butterflies can find the craziest things to take a sunbath in!

The scratches are from the English Nettles that scraped his legs as he chased the cows down road where they had grazed.  Who says cows can't go 'out to dinner' every now and then!  City Slicker - not so much!

swimmin in the 'crick'... not creeek!

Daddy and Livia

sharing a new 'backyard'

check out my frog mom... we found it in the crick!

I've heard it said, "You can take the boy out of the mountains, but you can't take the mountains out of the boy."  I think it should be said that you can make a home most anywhere, but the one grown in the mountains will be most at home there!  We returned to the mountains near Roscoe and played, conversed with friends, worshiped The Creator, and shared the mountains and memories enough to last a a lifetime with our children, even sang in an impromptu duet at the church.

Thank you Mike and Laurie for sharing your hearts and home with us when we are with you we feel like family!  It was a balm to our souls!

Olivia turns a crazy 8 brithday!

We managed to sneak in a quick birthday party complete with candles, cake and ice cream and the perfect birthday balloon just before we left for vacation! She chose to purchase her own gifts this year, it was the perfect option! And, a fun day. We had mac n' cheese (her favorite) with Octopus Hot Dogs. It was a fun dinner and a fun day to spend with my 8 year old.

Come and ride in my Pink Cadillac

I am a Mary Kay Consultant.
My Mary Kay Director, who also is my National Sales Director, and friend, Dawn Otten-Sweeney
challenged me to take my business to the next level by earning my star in the 3rd quarter of my first year.
When I completed the goal, she came to take my kids for a ride in her
Pink Cadillac and we also went for Ice Cream!

It was a day that the kids will not forget.
They watched as I ran through my goal to learn how to keep a decided heart and keep my word.
Then we got to celebrate! It was so much fun... and the kids really enjoyed the experience of riding in a 'talking car'...

Kindergarten Celebration of Learning

Simeon's celebration of learning with his buddy's and Mrs. Ciufettelli
Ryan, Owen, Brady, just a few of the names of the kids that were in his class.
He had a great start to his school career.

Grandpa & Grandma's visit

Simeon the archeologist

Grandpa and Grandma's visit

After what seemed like just about forever, we got to enjoy some time with our grandparents for a few days. 
They came bearing gifts from the south... birthday presents for Sim and curtains for mom!  Simeon became an archeologist just like Jonathan Parks' dad... and Grandma helped dig for treasure.  Was fun watching and listening to them explore.  There were games played and stories read and just fun family time spent together. 

How Tall am I?