Slick Rock, Alabama

Recently Paul scheduled to attend a festival in Alabama over a weekend, so we decided to make it a family affair, take the RV and all go together. We hooked the RV up at a campground called Slick Rock (about 20 minutes from the festival site) and as you can see it was really nice. Lots of trees, right on a lake, and very peaceful & quiet. Well, as quiet as it can be with three children in tow. Although we didn't get to spend a lot of time there, we enjoyed it and even I would enjoy going back for a festival-free weekend there.

A shot down to the lake from our camper location.

Paul got some night crawlers to fish with and he and I both commented on how large they were. At first, Jake was quite disgusted with the things and then gradually became intrigued when he saw his sisters with them. Here he is getting better acquainted and then.....

they soon became his new best friends. He carried the box with him ALL over the campground and then began experimenting with dropping them from various heights. Look closely...you'll see one in motion above.

Let's try another one!

See.....even when he was done dropping them, he had to carry the box so they could color together. Hilarious!

Hannah concentrates on a sidewalk chalk masterpiece.

My little stinker!

Pretty rainbow, Emma!

Fishing

One recent weekend afternoon, we made an impromptu visit to a lake not too far from the house. Locals had mentioned it, but we'd never been. Herb Parsons Lake was very pretty and we were surprised at the size of it -- bigger than I had expected. Anyway, Paul did a little fishing and the children enjoyed looking on.

Jake observes the "art" of baiting a hook.

Fishing wasn't too exciting for them, so Jake and Emma decided to dig around with sticks instead.

Bowling

Toward the end of summer break, I took the children bowling to ease our boredom. It was Jake's first time so, of course, that adds to the fun. We had a good time.

Hannah looks happy with her score.

I'm impressed -- I thought her form was pretty good.

Jake and Emma take a snack break (with smuggled in food!). Lovely expression on both of them -- it's the dreaded fake smile pics.

Jake waits with excitement as Emma's ball makes contact.

Waiting for his ball to come flying out of the fun rolling machine!

Again, anxiously waiting the results of his own ball.

This picture is just priceless to me! Every time the ball would hit the pins he would jump up and yell, "YES!" I certainly wasn't expecting this level of excitement and it was so very entertaining.

Emma's Horse Camp

We were so fortunate this summer to be able to send the girls to different camps. Hannah really wanted to try basketball camp and Emma really wanted to try horse camp. So here she is on the last day. Parents got to come and watch them do all the exercises and things they'd learned during the week. Emma ended up with one of the more ornery horses, Tux, but she handled him just fine. It was awesome watching her climb up and handle this big ole' horse. The pictures don't do it justice - b/c it was dark in there - but at least you can get an idea.

Hannah's New Bike

Well...it "only" took 8 years but Hannah is riding a bike. After a bad experience (at age 5!) she had no interest in getting back on a two-wheeler, but finally this summer she was ready to tackle it. So after we got back from our trips, we bought her a bike and within 30 minutes she was riding like a pro. Since then we've spent lots of time going around the neighborhood (me walking with the little kids and Hannah riding). She has completely mastered her bike and we couldn't be prouder.

July 4th

While back in Georgia we had the pleasure of spending 4th of July with The Keiffers. This is the wonderful family of Wally's girlfriend, Kylene (or Kymene as Jake calls her!). They invited us over to their house and I was so thrilled to finally get to spend time with Kylene's parents, brother and sister. They were so incredibly gracious to us, providing tons of fun things for my little monkeys to do. We had a fantastic time. The only downer being that Paul wasn't able to be there with us. Maybe next year!

We managed to get everyone still for a moment to get a family picture.

This picture is of all the Keiffer's and their significant others. Kylene's parents (second from left). Kylene's sister Ashley and boyfriend (front left), Wally and Kylene (third from left), and Kylene's brother BJ and his girlfriend (on the right). What a great looking group!!

Debbie (Kylene's mom) with Jake and Hannah

Debbie again with Hannah and Emma -- What a great grandmother she's going to make!

Emma and Ashley -- it was so funny how Emma was immediately drawn to her b/c Ashley is also the "middle" child and we're always comparing how much they seem alike. This was the first time they'd ever met.

"Kymene" and Jake -- As far as Jake is concerned this is HIS "Kymene" and Wally was simply in the way! Very funny! And what an incredible picture, I think. Jake was spellbound by the sparklers and mini fireworks in the yard, but didn't want to stray too far from Kylene. And for those of you who haven't had a chance to meet her yet........YES, she is just as sweet and kind as she is beautiful!

Hannah's first time with a sparkler. She's pretending not to be a little scared!

Debbie and Emma hold one together.

Slippin' and a Sliddin'

Well as people say....life is always full of surprises. After our week at the beach earlier in the summer, the children and I arrived at my mother's house in Georgia to discover that my brother's scheduled leave from Iraq (for late in the summer) had been suddenly cancelled. You can imagine how terribly disappointed we all were, but that's the military and so we dealt with the news, enjoyed our week with Mimi, trip to Nana's house, then Callaway Gardens, and then finally headed back to Memphis. Well.....as we are literally driving into Memphis - not even all the way home yet - I get a call on my cell from my mother's house, and to my great confusion, answer the phone and hear my brother's voice!!! As we all know, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away", but in this case, the Lord taketh away AND THEN giveth!! Wally had been granted his leave, but left Iraq the same day it was granted. He had no idea it was going to happen and in fact it all "went down" so fast, he really didn't have time to let any of us know. He showed up at our mother's house completely unannounced! What an amazing surprise. Luckily he was given two entire weeks, so we were able to spend a week at home getting our ducks in a row and then turn around and head back to Georgia. Can you picture it?? Me - the only adult - three children and dog, NOLA, in tow making the 9+ hour trip!! We had to break it up and spend the night in Montgomery, but we made it and made great memories in the process. And let's face it....there's not much I wouldn't do to get to spend some time with my "baby" brother. Anyway, the pictures below are from our return trip to Mimi's. I bought a slip-n-slide to bring along for the hot days. It sure was fun watching the children re-live a favorite childhood memory of mine.

After two passes, Hannah was a complete pro.

Emma, on the other hand, not so much. She couldn't quite get her form down.

"Aunt" Wally made a fabulous pass (fully clothed!) to show them how it's "really" done. Look at Jake's expression.

Jake didn't even bother. He just hung out at the "pool" end playing with his cups.

And then he decided he'd give Wally a hand cooling off.

Summer time sure is fun!