Packed!

We are ready for our Alaskan Adventure...Five checked bags, two carseat bags, three kids' backpacks, and two carry-ons.  The packing started 12 days ago just to make sure we didn't forget anything.  We're ready to go.

The Daddy/Daughter Dance

Tonight, Edward and Madison attended their second Daddy/Daughter Dance at Fort Bragg.  They went last year, just after we arrived here in NC.  In fact, half our our household goods had not arrived, including all of Edward's and my clothing, so he had to buy a suit for the dance.  Well, this year, he was able to wear his uniform.

 Madison, getting all ready

 Love this picture of them

Flashback...here's last year's photo...you can see how much Madison has grown and matured.

A Few Camp Rockfish Pictures

I had a few other Camp Rockfish pictures on my camera.

 Madison ready for another day...

 Luke's preschool group listening to a Bible story during lunch

This was the main gathering area for our church.  All of the groups had a tree to throw their backpacks and such.  It was a great week!

Church Camp and the Movies

We have had a fun-filled week here at our house.  Madison and Luke have been going to Day Camp with our church at a local United Methodist camp. In fact, the director goes to our church, so they have a great program for our church each summer. 

 Madison was so excited when I dropped her off for her first day of camp. She's already asking if she can go to sleep-away camp next year.

Luke was absolutely delighted too.  He didn't get to go as long as Madison each day because he was in the preschool group.  Nonetheless, he still had a fantastic time, and his group got to spend time with lizards/animals, play sports, and go in the pool.

 Well, Alex was too young for camp, so I decided to have a special outing with him.  We did do as he requested and go to "McDonalds that has a slide."  We also checked out our movie theater's summer program.  They show a different movie each week, and kids are $1.00.  Adults are free.  Popcorn is $1.00, along with drinks.  He had a blast at his first movie, "Puss in Boots," and while it was a little advanced for him, he declared, "The boy cat is funny."

The Harvest

First cucumber of the season from our garden.  We've also picked several dozen beans,  about a dozen grape tomatoes, and three Big Boy tomatoes so far. 



A Busy Morning!

Monday was a very busy, but extremely fun day at our house.  For almost eight hours, I had six kids here. Now, three are my own kids, and thankfully I knew the other three really well.  They were some of our neighbors from Yuma who moved back here to Ft. Bragg a couple of weeks ago. I should mention that I didn't have to watch their baby brother who is less than a month old (but I would have been glad to watch him too). Anyways, Emily, Adam, and Stephen came to play while the movers unloaded their household goods.  They live just under 10 minutes from us, which isn't far, but it's not behind our house, as they used to live.  Emily (8, almost 9), Adam (6), and Stephen (2.5) are a great match for my kids.  All of the kids were so comfortable with each other, and honestly, there was almost no fighting or problems the whole day.  They remembered each other and played well. Thanks for coming over to play...we'll be doing it more often now that you are all back!

 Luckily, admist their move, the kids could all find swimsuits to play at our house.  They had a blast!  I kept counting to six to make sure all were accounted :)

 Thankfully, the four older kids have had a lot of swim lessons from the YPG Pool. 

 Madison really likes Emily and had her to her birthday party a couple days before this.

The girls enjoyed setting up Madison's Barbie slide and pool she just got for her birthday.  They spent a lot of time playing with it, and when they finished, Alex played with it.

We had a good day, and everyone at my house slept well that night  :)

Presents

After dinner, Madison opened her birthday presents from Edward, the boys, and me.

 She has been wanting this outfit for her American Girl doll, Rebecca, for a long time.

She also has been asking for this princess cd.

 New bat bag...as for next year, she'll be playing softball.

 Lightweight pullover for our upcoming trip.

 She watched a Veggie Tales movie in Sunday School and asked for some at home.

Veggie Tales Devotional

 Yea, a doll wardrobe!  Target's looks almost identical to the American Girl one for a fraction of the price.

 Cinderella's Wedding Dress...now she matches her cousin Kaitlann

Setting up the doll wardrobe

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!

Madison's Birthday Party

On the last day of school, the kids had an early release.  With that, we decied to have Madison's friends over for her little birthday party.  Most of the girls live right here in our neighborhood and ride the bus with her.  Two are friends from Edward's work who we me during the deployment, and one friend, Emily, is one of our friends/neighbors from Yuma who moved back here last week.

After school, here are 10 little girls very excited for summer.

For mid-afternoon, they were very hungry! 

My wait staff for the day...Flash stayed to help serve and clear food.  He was really cute. Luke went with a set of sisters' brother who is five.  They did Slip-N-Slide during the party.

Madison wanted a large cookie.

Sisters who live behind us.  Luke went with their mom and brother to play.

Friend who came in from Southern Pines (deployment friend!)

Sisters who live down the street

Madison with Emily, one of our neighbors from Arizona.  She was really glad to see her.

Arts and crafts

She lives across the street.

Biggest hit of the day...Twister!  We had several rounds of the game, complete with a championship round.

 Laura lived at the end of our street, and since her parents were renting, they now bought a house a couple miles away, which now means she has to swtich schools next year.  At least the girls can still play together.  I had to explain to Madison Laura's moving was not too far away as Army kids are accustomed.

 Biggest hit of the party!!!  Madison has been wanting this doll chair for awhile!

After the sugar high set in with the kids, I took the outside to run and play. One of the moms stopped back by, and she was a great help with all of their energy!

Thanks to our neighbors and friends for celebrating Madison's birthday with her. She had a really great day.