The Last Day of Summer

We spent our last day of summer trying to cross off things on our bucket list.

This was actually one of the few days we were all together this summer.

We started the day at Pinson Mounds just down the road from us.

None of us really knew what to expect but the kids LOVED it!

We will be going back for sure!

Climbing up Saul's Mound

We can't believe summer is almost over!

From there, we hit up SkyZone (thank you, Groupon!).

The kids have been BEGGING to go and were pleasantly surprised!

To everyone's surprise, the Walkers showed up, too, and we all had a wonderful time together!

We hit up Sparky's after jumping and just enjoyed catching up with such wonderful friends!

What a summer!

Sorry to see it end but on to bigger things....

Independence Day 2014

We got up BRIGHT and early on the 4th of July to take off to Nashville.

We were ready to be with the Welch side of the family for the weekend!

The kids actually took a break from playing to spend some time in the pool for a few hours.

Carter and Johnathan were swimsuit twins and they thought that was great!

Then, most of us headed to Vanderbilt to see our first semi-pro soccer game.

Nashville FC was playing Knoxville in the playoffs.

LB was in HIGH heaven,

and Nashville won!!!

Papa John, LB, Johnathan, and Carter

All the kids enjoyed it but LB and Johnathan did especially!

Carter was thrilled when we made a pit stop across the street at the baseball stadium.

Home of the new NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!

We ran home and literally threw a hamburger or two down our throats to get ready for

the fireworks show in downtown Nashville.

Papa John and Mama C with their grandkids

Aunt Charla even joined them on this trip! It was great seeing her!

The whole crew!

Happy 4th of July!!!!!

Our 4th of July Tradition

Two years ago, we began a tradition that has expanded each year.

We went with some friends to place flags on the graves of veterans.

The kids loved it and I enjoyed teaching them about our country's history.

Last year we went to a different cemetery with a few flags to place on graves of those we knew.

This year we invited the kids from church to go with us.

We place 120 flags on graves and could have done more if we hadn't run out of flags!

The kids enjoyed looking for the oldest veteran

(which was a Confederate soldier)

as well as the oldest graves.

We always end by stopping at Grandmama Whittle's grave

and the Wilcoxson's graves.

Thank you for your service, veterans!!!

Toad Hunting . . . Duck Dynasty Style

Damon and I were cleaning out the flower beds the other day and noticed this sweet

toad had made his home among the bushes.  Carter proceeded to catch it "just like Jase."

He named in Jase in honor of the Duck Dynasty star and then let him go - 

after much convincing from us!!!

Remembering Those Who Made It Possible

Last year the kids and I started a new tradition that we just love!

We took small American flags and placed them on the graves of those who had fought for our country.

We know several and it is always a favorite time to walk through the cemetery as we 

find different ones who served in our military.

The first place they went was Bro. Jess's grave.  He was Pop's best friend.

Our neighbor's husband . . . 

My grandmother's (their great grandmother's) grave. . . . They wanted to put one
there because she was the wife of a veteran!

It really has become something we look forward to doing each year before the 4th of July.

I want the kids to realize the sacrifice of so many so we can live the lives we have today.

The McCalls Are Back in Town!!!!!!

So how do we celebrate?

By jumping into BeBe's pool!!!!!

We are so glad they are back with us for a few weeks!!!!!

In Honor of Those Who Gave it All

so we could have it all.

Being an Air Force brat and a history fan, I try to teach my children all I can about those who have done and given all so that we have the freedoms we have today.  Plus, one of their favorite places in all the world is the National Cemetery at Shiloh on Memorial Day weekend.  So, when the opportunity came for us to go and help place flags on the graves of Chester County veterans, we jumped at the opportunity.

LB placing a flag on Mr. Emmett's grave.
He went to church with us and was Madlyn's neighbor.
We lost him this February.

Cecily did a great job finding the graves and even found a veteran who shares her
birthday. She thought that was great!
This grave is one of one of the oldest veterans - a World War 1 veteran. 

Carter was amazed at how many from Chester County had served.

We saved a flag to take to the city cemetery where my Papa Whittle's best friend is buried.  Brother Jess fought in World War 2 and was the only one from his fox hole to survive one of the battles. 

I really did not know how they would take to this, but they really enjoyed it.  We have plans made for next year as well.  I would encourage any of you to do the same thing in your town. Our kids need to know!

A Month of Reading

Our county library holds their annual Reading Program beginning the end of May and all the month of June. The kids always love doing this and we set out this year with new obstacles to overcome. Cecily and Carter could have someone read them their books and did a great job listening to over 80 books! Carter even read some of his all on his own! Laura Beth had to read all of hers by herself this year. She did not think she could do this (we think she thought they had to be HUGE chapter books) but she, too, read over 80 books! They earned free ice cream and free happy meals! Thanks to the library and community businesses for encouraging them to read!