Old Soldiers and a Young Scout

About two weeks ago, the highlight of our Saturday morning was the Alpharetta Old Soldiers Day Parade! Not just because it's a fun parade with floats and bands and lots of flying candy; but because Sam was a participant!



This parade honors all of the "old soldiers" who have fought to protect our country. Now, this isn't your small community 10 float parade with kids riding by on the tricycles -- it's been a local tradition for 59 years and let me just say that Sam's Scout Troop was float #75 and they weren't the end. Whew!

But, it was an awesome way to spend the morning and show honor and respect for those who have risked or lost their lives for all of the freedoms we have.

The event kicked off with a bag piper.

And a fly-by by an Army helicopter.

The speaker was Brian Stann. He's a well decorated Marine (not to mention an Ultimate Fighter/Cagefighting champion) who started a non-profit organization, called "Hire Heroes - USA". You can read about his organization here. But, he was such a motivational speaker and had the cutest family riding along with him during the parade.

We honored the Confederate veterans....

the WWII veterans...

the Korean War veterans...


the Vietnam veterans...and all of the wars. (I, unfortunately, am a slow photog, so I kept getting caught up in the moment and forgot to take pics!)

There was the Tractor Association. (If this guy had a radio, it would be playing -- "She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy"!!!)

The men really got excited when they saw this truck, but...behind it was a collection of convertible cars. Sorry guys!

And, bless his heart, this guy had the worst job of all!!! He followed the Women's Side Saddle Horse Club. Pee-Yewwwww....

And no parade would be complete with out the Shriners!

Here's Mr. and Mrs. Alpharetta Golden Age --John and I will sooooo be there in about 40 years! Just wait and see!

But, alas, I finally see what we came for....

This precious Scout! He had the time of his life!

And Lily made out like a bandit with a bag full of candy!


Such a fun day! Thank you, Veterans!

Proud to be an American~
Laurie

I've been sucker-punched.........

You know that feeling, right?!?!? You're going about your usual business when all of a sudden you're hit hard in the chest (or face)...your breathe is taken away...you stumble backwards, etc.

Well, I was definitely sucker-punched when I took a minute to look at this........
***Can you see those black lines on the door jam?

This is the growth chart that we've been keeping up with since we've lived in this house. Say what?!?!? My tow-headed little boy has really grown that much?!??

And Miss Lil is right there behind him!!!


Ouch, my heart hurts! Yes, as a parent we want our kids to grow and mature and progress; but we (well me, anyway) also want to have that little bundle to kiss and cuddle and hold on tight to FOREVER!

It's amazing to me how the growth is kinda over-looked as you go about your daily life; but when you stop and look at these markings on the closet door...well, I can physically see my little ones growing up.

I'm taking this as my reminder to soak it in and not rush the day, months, etc. I want to watch the fun that is contained in each inch marked on that door and hold on to the moments as they come and go!

***Ahhhh, my loves!!!!!!

Inch by inch~
Laurie

And the fun continues!!!!

This year's beach trip took us back to Rosemary Beach in Florida. We visited this area a couple of years ago and fell in love! Even better, we were able to coordinate our trip with some of our friends from Chattanooga, so the trip was twice the fun!
Sam found his favorite place...with the girls!


John tried his hand (or feet?) at paddle boarding. He came out of the water very frustrated and tired, but I think he did great given the crazy waves and it being his first time and all. Go John!!!


Fun with friends..new and old!



An early morning bike ride to the doughnut truck! Now that's an easy way to get the kids out of bed!

Then, a little more biking to burn off the chocolate glaze and cream filling!


And color coordinated jaw breakers are always a must!

What do you do with a rainy afternoon? (We did have a couple of those...) Well, ride through all of the puddles in the parking lot, of course!


Family fun abounds!




An awesome and FUN dinner at the Red Bar restaurant in Grayton Beach!


Two of the most awesome kids I know!


And yes, I was on the trip. The ONLY picture that I was in! Should I be worried that no one offers to get me in any pictures?!?! (And of course, we're talking and my bra strap is hanging out....well, at least I was wearing one, right?!?!)


God's wonderful work!

Our family vacations are always rejuvenating and relaxing. It's so nice to be able to spend a week with all four of us together! And how blessed we are to be able to do just that!

Blessed beyond words~
Laurie

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