And the next stop....

on our Summer Fun Train took us to Lake Burton for a week with friends!

You've seen me write about my friend, Nicole. We've been friends since we were in the 5th grade. So, using a calculator/abacus/sundial....that's over 30 years! And we're still going strong! So, when she and her husband invited us to spend a week with them at their family's lake house, we jumped at the chance!

Matt and Nicole have two girls about Sam and Lily's age, Logan and Ava. The four of them get along great and never tired of each other the whole week. One of the fun additions to the week was that the kids attended Camp High Harbour on the lake. It's a "YMCA" camp and is a kid's dream come true! Ski boats, horseback riding, rock climbing, nature hikes, etc. The commute was by boat (sure beats the school bus)and they were so eager to tell of their adventures everyday when we picked them up!

The men went mountain biking, Nicole and I shopped and we all hung out on the boat everyday like we were kid-less, care-free adults! But hey, at 4:00, we pulled up to the dock, loaded the kids and enjoyed the fun we had as two happy families!

Here are some pics of our fun:

Here the girls are getting Sam right where they want him!!!

Summer fun!


"Mom, can we take a boat to school everyday?!?!?"


Tired kids at night! Freshly showered and playing with their iTouchs!


Matt made some incredible peach ice cream! Yummmmm!


Lily always gettin' some Daddy love!


Evening stroll on the dock...

We took a tour of a home that is for sale. It's only $5.9 MILLION! It is appropriately called "Rainbows End". This is Nicole and me standing in the basement fireplace. Click here to see the full tour and prepare to be awed!


I apologize for no make-up, but that's how we do it on the lake! Ha!


Beauty abounds!


Loved the Lake Life~
Laurie

Family Times

Our next summer excursion took us to Auburn, AL to spend some time with my sister's family and my mom! Visiting my sister and her family is always tops on Sam and Lily's list not only because they get to play with their cousins, but also they get to live the "farm life" for change.

They took a dip in the lake.

Lily really knows how to relax!

Sam showed his fishing skills!

We visited a friend's farm and had the chance to play with some newborn goats! Who knew goats could be so photogenic?!?!




Or kissable?!?!



After a few days in Opelika, we finished our week by staying with my mom for a few days.



I love taking pictures at my parents place. The old barns and big trees make for such a beautiful setting! While we were in Auburn, the kids got to spend time with their great aunt and great uncle! I love that they have that opportunity, because so many children their age do not have any "greats" to talk with and share their love!

Then we headed home, unpacked, repacked and headed to Lake Burton for a week. This story to come!

Lovin Summer~
Laurie

P.S. Random pic:

I like cows and this one really wanted me to take it's picture. It told me so! Moooo!

Our Buddy

On a very sad note, we lost our fifth family member, Bear, a couple of weeks ago. We believe Bear was 17 years old, but he was with us for 15 years! He followed me home while I was jogging back in 1996 and instantly became our "first child". So many fun times we shared with him...

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

He will be soooo very missed!

Sad~
Laurie

Alive and kickin'!

I feel that all I've been doing lately is apologizing for not updating the blog, but believe me when I say that the reason it doesn't get updated is because we're too busy doing stuff that I'll blog about! See?!!? It's a vicious cycle! We have been non-stop since May, but we've finally hit a lull and I'm able to sit back, breathe and soak it all in!

First of all, Miss Lily graduated from Pre-K! I'm happy, I'm sad...I don't know what I am!


But, she is so excited about starting kindergarten in August. Here's a snippet from her graduation ceremony. I love this song and it's even better being sung by such precious voices!!


Next, Sam has passed 3rd grade and is on his way into 4th! Yay, Sam!!! Oh, I forgot to mention one thing.............


Boo-yah! That's right -- straight A's, AGAIN! Let me point this out -- Sam has had straight A's every year since he's been in school! I know, I'm bragging (and I don't like braggers), but he has worked his little hiney off this year and I'm very proud of him!!! (And I'm gonna brag about it, dadgummit!)

Both kids had some fun End of Year parties! Here are a few pics:

Lily and her BFF, Claire!

Fun water slide!
Awesome, Glow in the Dark party! Man, the kids loved this!!!!
Glow in the Dark slime!

And the neighborhood tradition...the "Annual Squirting of the Kids" when they get off of the bus on the last day! So fun!



So, May was pretty much filled with end of year parties, graduations and celebrations. And the best part of it all is that SUMMER IS HERE!!! My favorite time of year!

Smiles~
Laurie