Happy Campers!

This past weekend, we took the kids on their first TENT camping trip! Jonathan and I used to tent camp all the time before we had kids, but since we have had little ones, we have only stayed in a camper. We did not realize how SPOILED we have become!!

We got there on Friday afternoon and the kids had a great time playing. We camp in an awesome cul de sac where they can ride their bikes, scooters, and big wheels. They always have so much fun playing together! Friday night, we put Joshua down in his pack and play in the Stevens' camper so he could sleep there until we were all ready to go to bed. We thought we would make a smooth transition to the air mattress in our tent and he would go right back to sleep. Oh, the best laid out plans....

Joshua had other ideas. Once we got him into the tent, maybe around 11:30, he was WIDE awake. "Mama, what's that?" to the shadows in the tent. "Mama, what's that?" to the train whistle that went by. We tried to shush him, we tried to hold him down. Nothing worked. At 1:00 in the morning when he was laughing in the tent saying "What's up Doc?" we knew we had to move him away from the other kiddos. We sat in the chairs and looked out at the lake. We sang to him. I even tried to bribe him with a brownie at 3:00 AM. Desperate times call for desperate measures. At 3:15 AM, we did what all good parents would do in this situation. We strapped him into his carseat in the car and his daddy slept in the car with him. Oh, the joys of tent camping!! It did, however, make me realize that I am NOT up for having another baby!!

The next morning when we woke up, it was raining. REALLY? It was absolutely beautiful at 3:00 this morning! Who would have thought? Luckily, the rain did not last for long. The kids got to swim in the lake all afternoon and play outside. And the best part is in the middle of this long, hot summer, this weekend felt like the middle of the fall. It was absolutely perfect for camping!

Saturday night we grilled out steaks and made s'mores by the campfire. AND we gave Joshua his own tent for his pack and play. (Jonathan slept beside him once we went to bed).

We had a great weekend and I am so glad that my kids are making the wonderful memories I made growing up camping!!

Drew loved riding his big wheels...

Daddy and Joshie...

Anna Caitlin and Ella Cate...

LOVE...

Mama Judi found this note on her desk after the kids left. I LOVE my sweet babies...

Summer Days...

This summer, the kids and I have had SO much fun! We have been going strong for 5 weeks, and we have had a blast! This has been the first summer Joshua was old enough to really enjoy some of the things we like to do.

Lots of our friends have season passes to White Water and the kids have loved every minute of it! As always, Anna Caitlin loves going down all of the waterslides. There is very little there that she is not willing to try. Drew has become much braver this year and has tried some water slides as well (we will not mention the fact that his mommy took him to the top of the slide crying and clinging to me as I pushed him down. He came down all smiles, and that is what really matters, right???) His favorite is the Bonzai Pipeline and the Tidal Wave. He also loves to play in the wavepool with his buddies. Joshua wishes that he was big enough to go down the slides. Right now, he has to stick with Bahama Bobsled which is quite possibly the longest line at White Water.

We have also had a great time going to the pool with friends each week. We have spent time at our pool, at the Bentwater Slide Pool, and at the Brown's Farm pool. I have to think that my kids are a little bit spoiled when they complain that they are bored at our waterpark and need to go to a different pool :)

This year, we got combo passes to Six Flags also, so the kids took their very first trip there (sans Joshua). We have only been once with the McLendons, but had a great time. Drew loved the kiddie land, especially since he is REALLY into Looney Toons right now. We did get him on the Mine Train, but he was not a big fan. Anna Caitlin LOVED the Mine Train, and I even got her to ride my favorite, the Mindbender, with me. She did not love it, but was a trooper anyway. We are going to spend more time at Six Flags when the temperature begins to dip a little below 90!

We have also enjoyed playdates with our friends. Anna Caitlin and Gabby had their first sleepover and had a great time! These two are SO easy to keep together...I did not hear from them all night! She also got to have some time with Sarah, who is super sweet as well. Drew has had a great time with his buddies as well. He has been able to play with Tate, Chappy, Mariella, and Anderson. He even got to spend the night at Tate's house. Ms. Kellee is VERY brave!

We have had such a great time! We are going to continue to enjoy the next month before my babies start another year of school and continue to grow up to quickly!

Joshua lovin him some Papa John's garlic butter!

These two love superheros and saw the Batmoblie at Six Flags!

Time at the creek with Daddy on Father's Day!

Happy 4th of July!!

The 4th of July is always a fun celebration for our family. This year was even better because Jonathan had a four day weekend. We went up to the lake on Friday morning where we spent the weekend with Grammie and the Poythress family. The kiddos had a great time at the lake. We went on boatrides...

Went swimming...

And went tubing...

The kids had a great time playing with their cousins all weekend. We made homeade ice cream which is always a special treat, played outside, and played in the big blue ball (thanks Aunt Jen for this obnoxious gift ;)

We headed home Sunday night after dinner so we could relax on Monday, the 4th, before Jonathan had to go back to work. We spent the day at the pool with the Riveras and had a great time.

Anna Caitlin participated in every contest that they had at the pool. Here is a picture of she and Jonathan after the parent/child contest of throwing a sponge to each other to fill the bucket with water. They might not have won, but they were the most fun to watch!

As always, Joshua ate the whole time. He especially loved the watermelon!

We are so very thankful every year to celebrate the 4th of July and live in a country that is free and under God! Happy 4th of July!!

My little firecracker...

The lake wears you out!

My three favorite boys...