Tennessee trip

The kids, Mike and I travelled to Tennessee the 4th of July weekend.  We visited my cousin, Michael and his family.  We spent Friday visiting and Saturday on their pontoon boat and jet skiis.  Fun, Fun, Fun!  I really did not see Mike much since he spent most of the time on a jet ski.  We watched fireworks on the lake that night.  Thanks Michael & Cheryl!

Emma & Addison's Birthday Party

My cousin, Michelle's kids birthday party in Raleigh NC.  We had a mini family reunion in the process.  It was a nice weekend!       

Baptism

Since we went to a Baptist church for several years the kids were never baptised.  On June 12 our pastor John Leggett, at Massanutten Presbyterian Church.  It was such a great service!  Grammy & Paw Paw gave them each a memory gift.  It was perfect.  Ryan's tie was just a bit too short ;).

Finally! A fieldtrip!

Ryan's class went to the Shenandoah National Park the last week of school this year.  I had not been able to volunteer for anything this  year and decided to take the day off and go on this one.  I had a lot of fun!!  I found out that this is typically a Dad fieldtrip, but I still had a great time being one of the only moms that went.  Wish I could go on all their trips!!  This is Ryan's class with the Rangers and  Ms. Sheffer, his amazing 2nd grade teacher.  Ryan is the front row on the left. 

Dancing the night away!

This past weekend was Lydia and Emily's first dance recital.  They had so much fun!!  Lydia LOVES being on stage and asked several times how many people would be watching her :).  For their outfits, their dance instructor opted to not purchase tu-tus, but to have all the girls wear a "character" outfit that they had.  There were flappers, butterflies, flowers, fairies, and even a Wonder Woman (Emily).  This was for their dance "13 in the Bed" for the "Alice in Storybook Land" recital.  It was a really cute dance!  They are ready for a dance break this summer and start dance again in the fall.

Waiting for rehersal to start

Grammy and Paw Paw came to see us.

Garden Paver Presents

Emily's paver

 For the kid's teacher's gifts, we decided to make little homemade paver stepping stones for their gardens/flowerbeds.  We collected some river rocks and purchased some "gems" from the dollar store.  The kids practiced and then transferred their designs to their teacher's paver.  They had a lot of fun, but were sad that we have to wait until they dry before we are able to see how they look :).  Will add a final product picture when we take 'em.

Lydia's paver

Ryan making his paver.  Grammy helping us out.

Strawberry picking

Kids riding the wagon/tractor that took us to the "lower patch"

Yesterday we decided to go strawberry picking.  We went to a local strawberry farm, picked out our basket/boxes and jumped on the wagon to head out.  It had been raining the night before, but I had NO IDEA it would be as muddy as it was.  The mud was so bad that Emily and I had to take off our shoes and walk barefooted!  The kids did not like it at first and I thought this would not only be our first time picking strawberries, but also our last.  As we reached the upper area of the patch, the mud was not as bad.  This made the picking more enjoyable.  We picked 18 pounds of strawberries.  Did not realize we were picking that many :).  We have made strawberry jam, strawberry Popsicles, smoothies and sugar covered--in just two days :).  It ended up being quite fun and I think we will be back next year!

Emily and Lydia eating on the job.  Ryan is the little guy bent over in the back of the photo.