Boating Fun

We have taken our boat out several times, and we have found a couple of good ramps we like at the lake. We went out in mid June, one day, knowing that storms were around us. However, it is summer, and when aren't storms nearby? We drove through some rain on the way to the lake, but when we got there, the rain was to the East. We managed to get several hours in before we were rained out. It was a great day.

Storm clouds to the east as we were getting the boat ready

Beautiful day on the water and no one around!

There are more bald eagles here than anywhere else in North Carolina.

We figured out how to put the top up, and it provides great shade!

The LAST Day of School!

The kids had their last day of school on June 10. They both had a great year, finishing first and third grade.

The Swingset Makeover

Our swingset was in desperate need of a little TLC. Edward did the taping while I started the painting. A day and many hours later, we finished. Let me say that painting a swingset is not fun, and I like to paint!

Before...

After!!

Turtle Power!

Alex's good friend, Micah, had a Ninja Turtle birthday party at the bowling alley. It was a really cute party, but bittersweet, because Micah's family has since moved to Kansas. We will miss them all, as they were good friends of ours.  Here is Alex's preschool class at the party.

Micah and Alex...I love the shells my friend, Brooke made. She took turkey roasting pans and spray painted them brown, while attaching a ribbon to tie onto the kids. It was really cute, and they could even wear them while bowling.

Madison's 9th Birthday

Madison had a great birthday on June 8.  After church, she picked our lunch destination, which was Joe's Crab Shack.  She then opened presents when we got home.

Our birthday girl before church

Madison really likes seafood, but she also loves this dessert from Joe's Crab Shack, Campfire S'mores.

 We gave her a cross necklace.

 Jonah couldn't miss the party.

 She loved the Barbies she received.

 She had been wanting these American Girl best friends for awhile.  They are supposed to have lived in New Orleans.

 Nancy Drew books from Nana and Pop

 ...along with the Barbie teacher

 She LOVED the furniture for her American Girl dolls too.

 Thanks Mackenzie, Kaitlann, and Knox for the Barbie set!

 Aunt Jennifer sent this nice sewing set and a good book.

 Jonah always loves to chew boxes...

 Madison decided to try it too...she didn't like it as much as he does  :)

Thanks Alaina for sending this awesome tennis ball stand!

Happy Birthday to our sweet girl!

Madison's Birthday Party

Madison had her birthday party on Friday night, June 6. Her birthday is June 8, and she wanted to have some girls over for homemade pizza and cake. They had a great time, staying until 10 PM. They had dinner, played outside, and watched a movie.

Madison requested a homemade Texas Sheet cake, which is the same cake I had for my birthday every year as a kid.

She wanted a pizza/cake/ice cream/popcorn party.

I filled Mason jars with ice cream toppings.  It turned out really well.

The girls love creating their own ice cream sundaes.

The party favors were popcorn tins filled with a box of Junior Mints, a bag of microwave popcorn, and Starburst.

The popcorn bags are ready for later, the movie and popcorn part of the evening.

Madison's friend, Marta, brought her "Clemson flowers" for her birthday.  It was so sweet!  

Dinner is served!

Madison wanted homemade pizza

and homemade breadsticks.

Clockwise from the bottom-Delany (lives across the street), Ava (lives behind us), Emily (lived behind us in Arizona), Eleanor (lives behind us), Madison, and Marta (in Madison's class at school).  Ava (a second one) was getting something and not in the picture.

Eleanor and Madison

Delaney

Time for the ice cream bar!  Thanks, Harris Teeter, for running "Buy 2, Get 3 Free on the ice cream!"

Birthday Girl!

Ava-We lived in the same neighborhood as Ava last time we lived here.  She was at Madison's first, second, and third birthday parties!  Then, we both moved away, and this past year, Ava's family moved back too.  The girls really enjoy each other and are glad to be at the same school.

It almost turned my stomach to see how many toppings these girls put on their sundaes, but they had a BLAST!  It was a great party idea and so simple.

I'm really not sure if there is any ice cream in there  :)

Tired and full-movie time!

After watching "Judy Moody" for awhile, the girls took a break to play outside.

By bedtime, all of the girls were tired, but had had a blast.  

They had to do presents first before going home.

Madison's group, minus Marta, who had already gone home.

Madison had an absolute blast at her party.  She loves this group of girls and is so happy to have some nice friends here.  They really have a great time at school together.