Happy Birthday Nicole!

Guess who turned 12 on Sunday. Princess Nicole! Time is just flying by.

Here is her birthday cake... so yummy!

Happy birthday Nicole!

Bikes and Back to School

Can you guess the bicycle that belongs to a boy?



This is classic. Eric told me to look out the window, the two girls have used their kick stands and parked their bikes all neat and nice. The boys (there is another one laying on the ground but couldn't get it in the picture) just let their bikes fall where they stopped. Funny eh?

Back to school is just around the corner, the kids start the day after Labor Day. Tonight we will be going to Gene's orientation at the middle school, Nicole's orientation will be Thursday morning. My guys are really excited about going to public school for the first time.

I've been asked so many times about what my plans are now that we will no longer be home educating the kiddos. To be honest, I haven't given it much thought. After the kids get settled into the new routine of "going" to school, then I will give more thought and prayer to what is next for me.

Well I'd better get my hips up and finish dinner, have a super duper day!

New Wheels

Eric has new wheels! He bought a motorcycle yesterday, it's a Yamaha something or other. Here he is after unloading it from the trailer (smiling is not an option!).

Yeah a helmet. I don't understand why that is not mandatory in every state.



I didn't realize it was so much to do in order to drive a motorcycle. Eric took a motorcycle safety class on base, then took a written test at DMV to get her learners permit, I think he said that in 30 days he can take his road test. A lot right? Eric is as happy as a clam, even though you can't see the happy on his face in the pictures - he's happy on the inside!

Get Together

We've had a mini family reunion with Eric's sister Julie and her husband Steve who are back in the states, we all gathered in Richmond last Monday, then got together again yesterday in Yorktown. Steve and Julie will be heading to Germany, and hopefully we will have an opportunity to visit them before they are transferred. Here are some of the pictures that I took on Monday, enjoy!

Lindsay with Grandpa. Smiling for a picture is not an option for Grandpa!

Lindsay with her pooch Benson.



Julie, my fabulous sister-in-law.

Lindsay, Eric, Julie - can you believe Eric is smiling!

The siblings: Eric and Julie - nice.

Julie and Steve, what a good looking couple.

Lindsay, Benson and Grandpa. Everyone looks happy except Benson.

Lindsay and Benson. Benson is happy to be home with mom and Spider Pig!

Grandpa Jimmy.

Meet Benson

This weekend we dog sat for niece Lindsay, I was a little nervous that Benson would have an accident in the house, plus he was already a bit sad because Lindsay's other dog was at Grandma's house, so he didn't have his play mate and big brother.

Benson such a good boy, no accidents or any bad behavior the entire weekend. He just wanted to be right under you, or at least in the same room with you, plus he wanted lots of petting. As soon as you start petting him, he rolls on his back so that you can rub his belly!

Just love those flop ears!

This was too cute - I guess his elbow was a bit itchy, so here is Benson trying to lick his elbow. Silly boy!

Anniversary Trip

Eric and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary on Friday, July 17! My how time flies by, it really doesn't seem like we've been married THAT long. We took the the kids down to Eric's parents on Thursday evening, and they didn't return home until Sunday afternoon. Yippee!

Friday morning we got up and I made my man a hearty breakfast, I'm talking a real breakfast not my usual cold cereal and fruit. After breakfast Eric had planned a day trip to National Harbor in Maryland. This was our first time going there, friends from church said they had gone and enjoyed it, so we thought we would check it out. Here are some pictures of our outing...

This the the Gaylord, we took a little "tour" - it was fabulous inside, WOW was the extent of my comments as we walked through the lobby, trying really hard to look like we belonged there!

Not sure what this plant is, looks like tiny tomatoes doesn't it. The Gaylord even has great plants.

And check out the water feature leading up to the lobby doors. They even had a fountain...

The "sailboat" on the Westin was cool, don't you think?

Here is the man in the sand sculpture, but it looks more like man drowning, but what do I know!

We saw some young kids sailing, they were really pumped up for their sail.

Of course I had to take a couple pictures of my feathered friends...

We noticed that the boardwalk was littered with clam shells, then realized that the seagulls were dropping the clams on the boardwalk to open them, clever huh! Here is one of the clever birds feasting on his bounty.

I had planned to include pictures from our wedding, but I haven't had a chance to scan the pictures in yet, hopefully I will get around to it soon.

Live blessed!

The Pampered Princess

Friday, Princess Nicole had a little bit of pampering, she went to the beauty shop and had her hair straightened. This is no easy or quick task but she enjoyed every minute of it - well she didn’t really care for sitting under a hair dryer, but loved the end results. I know the stylist was ready for a long break after working on Nicole’s head!

She was grinning from ear to ear the entire day! She really looks like a big girl with her new do.

Live Long and Prosper

Saturday our family had an extra special treat, we went to the movies. We love going to the movies, but the price of admission for four people PLUS snacks is outrageous, and we often just wait until the movie comes out on pay-per-view or television. But we splurged Saturday and went to see the Star Trek movie, afterwards went out for dinner and then headed to downtown Fredericksburg for a walk.

Birthday Celebration

On June 2, Gene turned 13!! Where does the time go? He wanted to go to Ryan’s, the all you can eat restaurant for his birthday dinner. He didn’t eat as much as we thought he would, but he did enjoy himself. Happy birthday Gene!

School

We are on Week 30 of our studies, the end is near! Right now I’m trying to get all the assignments entered into Home School Tracker, I’ve already requested the remainder of the books we will need from the library, printed out all the TOG student activity pages, worksheets and evaluations needed. We will be on school break next week and will have only six more weeks left on our school year. Normally, I would be deep into planning and preparing for our upcoming school year, but we will not be home educating the children next year. This decision comes with mixed emotions, but I won’t get into it right now, maybe later.

Leaning on the Lord

Life has been moving way to fast for me for the last several weeks, our Pastor died, my sister-in-law, Marcia had a stroke, she was diagnosed with cancer last year and we also found out that the cancer has spread. I’ve several friends who are also battling cancer and are dealing with the loss of loved ones. I’m thankful that I/we have the Lord to lean on and depend on during these difficult times.

I had a mole removed from my right eye lid last Monday, I nervous – not about having the mole removed, but HOW they were doing to numb the eye lid. Everything that came to mind was painful. The day of the surgery the nurse told me there would be a Texas size bee sting, but after that all would be okay -- then gave me some eye drops. I told her that the drops were not painful at all, feeling proud that I handled the drops like a big girl ONLY to find out that she was not talking about the little old drops, but the shot to numb my eye! My heart sank… It WAS a Texas size bee string, and I had to be told to relax – are you CRAZY, you try to relax with a needle sticking in your eye lid. The pain only lasted for a few seconds then I was able to “relax” and the doctor could get down to business. Did I mention that I don’t do pain well LOL!

A Day in Westmoreland

Saturday we headed to the Westmoreland State Park, the weather was absolutely gorgeous, and was just what I needed.

I didn't have on the proper shoes so we didn't walk any of the trails, but toured the park and was able to walked the beach, then cooled off with some tasty ice cream.

Here are some kids enjoying the water

What a treat to discover this osprey nest on the top of the gazebo at the end of one of the piers. Only wish we could have gotten a tad bit closer - but I'm not crazy, and was thankful that I had a camera with a zoom.

After we left the State Park, we drove over to the Westmoreland Berry Farm to pick strawberries. Yum!

We also bought some honey, sweet potato butter and blackberry preserves. One day I will try my hand at making my own jelly or preserves but it will not be this day! Looking forward to trying the sweet potato butter, I'm a huge fan of apple butter but have never tried sweet potato butter - I will let you know how well I like it. Can hardly wait go back to the berry farm!

Strolling Down Memory Lane

When we were home in March, I begged Ma to let me take one small photo album and about five loose pictures with me, so that I can copy my favorite ones and have them at home. It was a L-O-N-G pause before she said yes (YIPPEE!).

Because my scanner is acting all hinkty, I had to take the pictures to Wal-Mart to scan and put on a CD. It has been a thrill to stroll down memory lane with these photos, some were taken way before I was even born, but I remember the stories behind them and just love the people in them. Now, I will see if I can get Ma to ship me another photo album, humm....

Here is a picture of my brother Bill, he was such a tiny baby, the doll was my sister DoRetha's - one of those walk and talk doll babies and Bill didn't seem to care for the doll.

My brother Bill and sister Shirley...

More little half dressed Shirley and Bill. Notice in this picture Shirley has on dress shoes with her diaper, Bill still doesn't have on any shoes!

Shirley, me, and Bill. Ma made the dresses that Shirley and I are wearing, everyone thought we were twins. Are you kidding me!

The girl sitting on the floor is my sister DoRetha, my brother Joe is on the couch and you can only see half of Grandma Mary.

My brother Joe and Grandma Mary are being silly next to Grandaddy Bill and little Bill.

Bill and Grandaddy walking. I believe the story is that Bill started walking after my grandparents left! I've always loved this picture.

Granddaddy Bill, Grandma Mary and Bill

Bill, Shirley and me, Slocomb, Alabama. This is in front of my Grandparents house.

Me and Daddy in front of Aunt Annie's house, Detroit Michigan

Me, Daddy, niece LaTressa, sister Shirley and the little boy is cousin Reggie.

Ma and Granddaddy Bill.

Father and son - Granddaddy Bill and Daddy, with little Reggie.

Ma and Daddy all dressed up. I just love the dress my mother is wearing and look at the skinny tie Daddy is wearing!