We met a celebrity...

It's been kind-of rainy here lately. We so...need the rain, so I am definitely not complaining, but too many days couped up in this house tends to make the natives restless. Tuesday we needed to get out for a while, so we loaded up and headed out to Chic-fil-a for lunch.

Silly kiddo's

Now I'll be honest, I was a little nervous taking all five kids out to lunch by myself. I had yet to do it, and the potential for disaster was great.

However, all went well.
No big spills or major meltdowns which is
how I measure success these days!
Y'all...I totally {HEART} Chic-fil-a! The employees there went over and beyond to make our lunch enjoyable. They helped me find a table AND brought all our food out to us!
LOVE THEM!!!

After we ate lunch, the kids had some ice cream and then played on the play ground for a while.

Coming down the slide!!!

Poor Hudson isn't quite big enough to climb on the playground yet, but that didn't stop him from trying!

After a successful lunch, we headed home to put the babies down for their naps. My grandparents came over to sit with them while I took the older kids on to the library for a special program.

Ronald McDonald was paying a special visit to our library and my kids were super excited to meet him. Ronald was hilarious and the kids laughed so hard as they watched him perform!

We actually bumped into several of our neighbors there too which was an extra special treat!

We all enjoyed a fun-filled summer day, and as the McDonald's slogan says...
"It put a smile on!",
and "I'm lovin' it"!!!

Our delicious artwork

Yesterday, I let my kiddos go crazy with pudding. That's right...we painted our bodies and each other with chocolate pudding! At first, I think my kids thought I had gone totally mad, but after a few minutes they totally dove in full force!

Well, it took Riley a while before he was convinced he wanted to participate.

But after watching everyone else have fun...he decided to give it a try too!

Corban did a great job covering his entire body in chocolate!

Sophie was more interested in painting every one else!

And sweet Hudson was the poor beneficiary of Sophie's beautiful masterpiece!
He didn't seem to mind at all though!

The adorable artist herself!

Miss "A" was more interested in eating the pudding than painting with it ;)!

And yes..even I got in on some of the fun!

My three cuties!

After everyone was thoroughly covered from head to toe in pudding,

it was time to cranked on the hose and sprinklers.


I think everyone had just as much fun getting clean again!

Ready, Set, RIDE!!!!

Last week was kind-of CRAZY. Our family was hit hard with sickness. We had colds, eye infections, ruptured ear drums, fevers, rashes, and the throw-ups!! Yes, we had it ALL, and no one in our house was left unscathed. I was beyond grateful that Shane had the week off of work though. It was so... nice to have him here helping me wipe noses, check temps, administer medicine, visit the doctor, and snuggle sick little ones. Together we were able to brave the germs that seemed to take over our children and our home. Despite all the sickness, we still managed to squeeze in a little fun while he was off.

One of the highlights of the week was our trip to the four mile green way. The green way nature trail is just a few minutes from our home and it's the PERFECT place for the kids to play. We loaded up the bikes, jogging stroller, kids, and their gear and hit the trail for a morning of fun.

"A" doesn't have a bike at our house yet, so she gets to ride on the back of Mr. Shane's!

The first time he ever took her out for a ride she was so..........nervous.
Now, she begs Shane for a ride!

Ready, Set, Go Riley!!

Corban hits the trail too!

After a few miles, we took a little break in the shade!

After our ride, we needed to cool down so we headed over to
Yoforia for a yummy treat!

Have ya'll tried Yoforia yet?

Oh.My.Goodness!!!

It truly is HEAVEN in a cup!!!! I'm serious! I'm totally addicted to their peanut butter yogurt!

It is so.......................good!!
We've been there twice already this week and can't wait to go again!


Well, here's hoping that this week everyone is happy and healthy!


Happy Monday everyone!

Getting to know you...

Getting to know ALL about you...

Yup...that's about all we've been up too the last week or so...
getting to know the sweet girl the Lord has brought into our lives. And let me tell you...she is PRECIOUS!!!! We have all fallen head over heals in love with her. She is so spunky and full of life. She gets along so well with the boys and they adore her. The babies think she's pretty cool too;)! Little Miss "A" seems to be settling quite nicely into our crazy family. She does GREAT during the daytime, but nights still seem to be a little harder for her. She hasn't slept through the night yet, but as each night goes by, she is waking up less and less. We are praying and hoping that she (and Shane and I) will soon be getting full peaceful nights of rest.

~So what HAVE we been doing?!?!?!

ARTS and CRAFTS--
One of "A's" favorite things to do!

Eating pink sprinkled doughnuts brought over by Grandpa and Grandma!

Getting dirty and playing in the dirt with new friends!

Eating yummy desserts!

Swimming!

Having movie nights and sleep overs in the playroom!

Playing baseball and

running the bases!

Being silly with these two boys!

Carowinds...

Slushies!

Rides!!!!

Yup...we are enjoying our time with this girl!!!

Fireflies and Fireworks!

Don't you just LOVE the 4th of July?!?!
Summer is in full swing, and it's a time to celebrate our countries freedom and independence with our family and friends!

Our day began with Sunday morning church.

I was so excited for the girls to wear the matching dresses I made for them!

Seeing them in those dresses just thrilled my heart to no end! (I made sure "A" was okay with the whole "matchy matchy" thing before I went out and bought the fabric. She wasn't just okay with it...she was ecstatic!!! Like jumping up and down ecstatic! I took her to the store and she picked out her favorite patriotic fabric. She wanted a dress with stars on it and was so..... happy when she spotted this print!

Made my heart SMILE!!!)

After church we headed home for lunch and naps.
Then it was off to my parents house for a cookout and fireworks!
We indulged in grilled pork chops, pasta salad, baked beans, watermelon, and of course...dessert. My sister B made a delicious fruit pizza, and I brought this...

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake!

We all enjoyed the PERFECT summer evening.

Mommy and my sweet Sophie!

Shane and the boys--just hanging out...

The weather could not have been any more enjoyable!
The kids ran around the yard playing corn hole and chasing fireflies!

Then they all jumped in the pool for an evening swim!

Sophie and her Daddy!

Miss "A" having so much fun!

My sweet Riley!

After a full evening of summer fun...

we all gathered in my parents front yard to watch the fireworks! My parents live right across the street from a golf course, and every year they put on a wonderful display!

What a PERFECT ending to a PERFECT day!