and that's how we roll...

Every morning, usually beginning around 8:00am, you will find our little family outside. Yes, we are a family of early risers, but because of this incredible heat wave we're experiencing, that's really about the only time of day it's possible to be outside and not sweat to death.

So, every morning we head out to the nature trail or "the path"-- as the kids like to call it--for a nice long walk and bike ride. We've been taking this same walk for several months now, but with school out, Cor now gets to join us!

The boys have fun riding up and down the trail,

and the babies are entertained by watching the boys on their bikes.
Also... a few goldfish help keep them occupied!

We have met several other walkers on the trail and look forward to bumping into them each morning.

And just so you know...Riley is very proud to announce that he is the new owner of a
"Big Boy Spider man Bike"!!!!!
It actually is Corban's old bike, but Shane replaced the handle grips and got Ri a new bell for the handle bars.
Let me just tell you...Riley thinks he is one cool dude with his "new" set of wheels!;)

Summer Fun---Take One!

So...our summer is off to a GREAT start. We are truly enjoying these hot summer days, but I definitely wouldn't exactly call them lazy.

What we have been up too...

We've spent most of our time at our neighborhood pool, but would you believe I have not taken ONE picture of the kids there--NOT ONE. That's because ALL my time is spent chasing around four VERY active children!!
Oh. My. Goodness...it's crazy.
The babies LOVE the water, but both tend to go in two different directions at all times. Makes me very nervous. I can't take my eyes off of them for even a second. The older boys are really great swimmers and have proven to be a big help to me with the little ones. We are having a BLAST though, but this mama is worn out after a few hours poolside. I see those sweet moms sitting on the side of the pool chatting, or reading a book while their kiddo's play, and I think--"one day...one day that will be me"---HA!

As a way to stay cool in our own backyard, Shane surprised the kids and brought home a little pool for us to enjoy.

The kids were so....excited.

So, while we grilled our dinner the other night, the kids had some fun playing in the pool.
...And in case you were wondering... that IS a lovely scrap on the top of Hudson's head---courtesy of his big sister!

We even brought out some soap and shampoo and gave the kids their evening bath right then and there.

They thought that was GREAT!!!!

We've also had fun doing some tie-dye projects. Corban received a really cool tie-dye kit for his birthday (thanks Celia) which he was dying (no pun intended) to use ;)!!

So, Sunday afternoon we got to work.

We made several shirts with the kit.

Today we sported our creations!

I think they turned out pretty cute!

Oh...and Corban had his first sleepover of the summer with his best buddy Knox. They had themselves such a great time.

These two can be so silly together. They are such good friends!
Love it!

So that's a little of what we've been up to lately.
Hope your summer is off to a GREAT start too!!!

Summer is (officially) HERE!!!!

Corban is out of school and summer can now officially begin at our house! We are so.....excited!

On Tuesday, we had a fun ice cream party for Corban's class to celebrate the end of a WONDERFUL year!!

The kids had a great time building their very own sundae.
Sophie likes to close her eyes when I take her pic!
Crazy Girl!

Before we dug into the ice cream though, Corban's class put on a few short plays for the parents, and then Mrs. Adams (Cor's precious teacher) presented special awards to the students!

Corban received the Perfectly Polite Award!
Of course you know the manners teacher in me was just bursting with pride ;)!!!

Corban and Mrs. Adams :)

Corban has had a wonderful first grade year!!!
He has grown in so many area's, but especially as a confident reader! His reading has improved so much and he LOVES reading books. Every night you will find Corban curled up in his bed, with Riley right beside him, reading books together!
One of Corban's favorite books to read this year has become his Bible.
Oh how I love that about him!!!

Corban and his good buddy Bryson!
These two have been in the same class two years in a row now!
We are hoping and praying they will be together next year too!!

Corban also learned the importance and value of being a good friend this year. Through different circumstances, Corban had the opportunity to share God's love and pray for several of his friends! I am very proud of him!

So with school OUT, I say... BRING ON those lazy days of summer!

Days where we have nothing better to do than run through sprinklers, eat popsicles, and play at the pool!

Yes...
SUMMER IS HERE!!!!!!!!!

Some good old family fun!

Since Sunday night services at our church have ended for the summer, Shane and I decided it would be fun to spend an evening at C@rowinds. On Thursday, when we were there for Corban's birthday, we decided to go ahead and purchase season passes.
So Sunday marked our first official family trip to C@rowinds!

Now, I PROMISE I won't continue to post pictures EVERY week of my kiddos riding amusement park rides, but since it was our "first" official family trip, and since this blog is my family scrap book, I HAD to share a few of the pics from the trip!

Sweet Hudson and mommy riding the carousel!

Daddy and Miss Sophie riding too!

Little Miss Priss had her first-ever-ride on a roll a coaster!!!
Oh.my.goodness...she LOVED it!!!!
Look at that precious face!
When the ride was over, she didn't want to get off,
so since it wasn't very crowded, we got to ride again---and again!!

Hudson, Daddy, and Riley enjoyed a ride on a hot air balloon!

And Sophie and mommy enjoyed it too!

Check out the cool kid in the drivers seat!



Is this picture a sneak peak into our future?!?!?

Little Sophie Lu driving a red convertible, and
sitting proudly in the passenger seat beside her is the ONLY man in her life...her Daddy--HA!!

What a GREAT evening!

We all had an ABSOLUTE blast and can't wait to go again!!

One Big Birthday Bash!

This weekend was full of fun and sweet birthday celebrations!
Saturday was Corban's actual 7th birthday.
He woke up and requested chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast.

I did my best to create a #7 pancake, then we placed a candle in it and all sang "Happy Birthday" to our newest little seven year old.

(YES...he was still sportin' the birthday crown he received from school the day before--love it!!)

After breakfast, this cute little trio helped me make birthday cupcakes, and a chocolate eclair dessert for the birthday party we were hosting later Saturday evening.
My family was coming over to celebrate ALL June birthday's.

Corban and my sweet Grandma actually share the same birthday.

Both my sister KK's, and my Aunt Sherry's birthday fall later in the month.
Saturday night was one BIG birthday bash!!!

The kids spent most of the evening playing outside in the backyard.

Corban invited his best buddy (and neighbor) Knox over for the occasion!

Of course we had a few furry visitors too.

My brother Steve brought his two puppies with him and Sophie had the best time terrorizing...I mean PLAYING with the puppies.

Sweet Hudson and my Daddy!

Little Miss enjoying EVERY bite of the eclair she helped me make!!!

To Corban...
We LOVE you our BIG SEVEN year old!!
Mommy and Daddy could not be more proud of you and the precious young man you are becoming!!!

Let the celebration begin...

My sweet Corban will turn 7 on Saturday. SEVEN!!!!!! I seriously cannot believe it. He is changing from a little boy into a precious young man right before my very eyes! To celebrate his birthday, we let Corban pick between having a big party with friends, or spending the day at C@rowinds and inviting just one friend to come along too.
He thought about it for a while, and then picked a day at C@rowinds.
We called and invited his good buddy, Jack, to come along for the day.
So Thursday, we let Corban skip school, Shane took the day off of work, and we headed out to C@rowinds for a fun-filled day!

Cor and Jack pose with Snoopy...

and Charlie Brown.

The weather man was predicting mid-day thunderstorms, BUT (what a blessing) it turned out to be beautiful. It wasn't blistering hot either, which was a nice treat too!!
A perfect day to spend outside!!

These two brave little boys talked me into riding the Southern Star with them.
It's a giant Viking ship that swings back and forth, then turns around two times, suspending you upside down!

Getting ready for some 3-D action!

Hanging out on the swings!

Our trip wasn't complete with out a HUGE candy apple and a nice cold slushy!

Of course the birthday fun doesn't end there...

Friday, we celebrated Cor's birthday at school with all his friends. We stopped by Krispy Kreme and picked up two dozen doughnuts (Cor's request), and then headed over to the school to join him for lunch!

My sweet birthday boy!

Knox, Corban & Riley

and YES...

Little Miss Sophie Lu and...

Hud enjoyed the birthday celebration too;)

A sweet weekend...

What a great Memorial Day weekend!! I {heart} l-o-n-g weekends, and I especially LOVE short work weeks too. I don't know about you, but I have to keep reminding myself that today is NOT Monday, BUT Tuesday!!!

We had a great weekend and enjoyed LOTS of time with family and wonderful friends. The highlight of our weekend though was DEFINITELY on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday, I had a special date with one of my adorable little men;)!!
Corban and I went to see the musical South Pacific.



I am in LOVE with old movies/musicals and I couldn't wait to see this play.

We were joined by our good friends , Celia, Tyler, and Amy.
Corban and Tyler's AWANA teacher from church, Mr. Hal, was performing and invited us to come watch one of the performances.

Hal played one of the lead roles as Marine Joe Cable. It was terrific and Mr. Hal did a fabulous job!!!! We had a great time and the boys thought it was so neat to see their teacher up on stage. All weekend long, I've been teasing Corban by singing (at the top of my lungs no less) some of my favorite songs from the musical.
My all-time favorite---"I'm gonna wash that man right out of my hair..." ;)
LOVE that one!!

Anyway---I hope you all had an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend too!!!