Max's first day of pre-school

I can't believe my baby boy is headed off to school!!  We found one to visit last spring and just really liked it so we signed him up.  He was pretty excited.  He takes his back pack (which only has a spare outfit just in case) and then packs a little snack in his box.   He needed a few extra hugs and kisses when Nate and I dropped him off but otherwise did great.  (Aliyah on the other hand is very upset she doesn't get to stay!)

 

 

He goes in and hands up his back pack in the hallway, puts his snack box in the big box by the door and heads on in!

Shenandoah Crossing August

We had another great trip to Shenandoah Crossing.  As the kids get older it sure it easier to travel and nice to have all morning to do things too without 2 naps. 

After a long car ride we unpacked and headed to the playground.  Aliyah made a new friend and introduced herself officially as "Princess Ali"....oh my!

Of course a visit to the stables.

The horse dance...

And another ride on Wendy, she was SOOO excited.  Max of course was too scared!

Even the smallest helmet was too big for her little head:)

And more fun at the fountains

Until she fell and went down hard on her head.  Being the paranoid parents we are, I took her for a little adventure to the ER.  She was totally fine and they were so nice, despite the normal lack of any urgency southerns seem to have.

Picnic time at the wooden house.

I love this picture because it's his baby face.

Then Aunt Ellie, Emma and Luke came out for the day!

It had just started to rain and Aliyah was not happy.

Then.... Aunt Ellie packed up all FOUR kids and took them back to her house so Nate and I had our first official vacation date night.  We played mini-golf, slept in and went for an am paddle boat ride before missing our kids so much we had to head on our way.

Of course there is always fun to be had at the Brown's.

Random summer days

This is how I make dinner some days...I know I'll miss it so I try to step around them.  Often they get out all the pots and bang on them to entertain themselves in the pre-dinner hour!

 

A humble princess...

The Saturday morning after 3 late nights of Bible School, they sure had a blast though!

Aliyah was playing upstairs by herself for a while and this is what I found.  (Right at the top of the stairs of course)

 As a client appreciation (we use the Hilton for events at work) they had a thank you family night.  An hour at the Whitaker Center after hours and then some yummy food at the Hilton.  The kids had a blast!

 

A beautiful summer day relaxing waiting for daddy to get home from work.

 

The annual church camping trip.  We cheat and just go for the day!

 

 

And of course a trip to Grandpa's pool!