Secret Playground!

On our second day of summer break, last Thursday, we decided to go on a morning adventure to our "secret playground." We like to call it that because it's kind of hidden away, and no one else seems to know about it!  We're almost always there by ourselves. Perfect! Oh, and it's on the lake!  

Sometimes we eat a picnic lunch on this dock and feed our crumbs to the fish.

We bought this bike for Anna Kate when she was 2 I think, but even when I was buying it, I thought to myself, we better get the one with boy colors, because our next baby will probably use it more and he'll probably be a boy! Ding, ding, ding! I was right! 

We took a few laps around the walking track.

We found a big turtle and saved it from being squished on the road.

Then we played on the playground and swang on the swings.

Steven and I went down the slide. He looks thrilled. Ha.

A good time was had by all!

Cousin Pile Up!

We've been enjoying hanging out with the Shibleys a lot more now that school is out for the summer!  My girls loooove being with their cousins!

Knoxville!

On Saturday Steven and I took a little trip up to Knoxville for a baby shower for one of my good friends from college.

We had a splendid time together, besides the fact that he cried almost the entire way to Knoxville!

I had to just crank up the radio and tune him out.

As soon as I pulled him out of his carseat, he was as happy as could be!

I always enjoy getting together with these girls, even if it is a rare occurrence these days.

We sure had some fun times together back at TWC!

Suzy (in the middle) is expecting a baby boy at the end of July. So excited for her! She was one of my first friends in college, besides Ashley. The two of us went to BCM (a Bible study group) together every Wednesday night as nervous little freshmen. I can't believe that was almost 16 years ago!!! Ahh!

Anyways, I had a great time.

At the restaurant, Steven was as good as gold and better!

Then he slept the whole way home and never made a peep!

Fun Day!

This past Saturday was Fun Day at camp!

It was Lydia's third Fun Day to attend, and she did indeed have a fun day!

She's pictured here with one of my old camp counselor's daughters. I believe I also worked alongside her for a few summers when I was just starting out as a junior counselor. Anyways, it was fun for these girls to be together at camp!

And here are all the cousins that got to go to Fun Day together, with a bonus Anna Kate squeezed in the middle.  She had a fun day hanging out with her dad and a few of the younger cousins.

Steven and I were hanging out in Knoxville with some of my college friends, but that's news for another day!

Summer!

Joel comes home from work for lunch most days.

Last Wednesday, he came in with a turtle!

It was the first day of our summer break, so Lydia decided to name it Summer.

We made it a nice little home and kept it for a few days, but it stunk!

Plus, I was afraid we might kill it.

So a few days later we let it go down near our creek.

I hope the girls enjoyed it, because that's probably the closest they'll ever be getting to having a pet.  (Or at least I hope it is!)  Haha!

Sunday School!

Crab Trunks!

Steven first visited the camp pool last year when he was 12 days old!

That's quite a big baby I cooked up!

He wore a pair of crab swim trunks, given to him by his Gramma. 

Today, we had our first pool party of the season, and Steven wore the same swim trunks!

Man, oh man, he's grown a lot in 10 months!

Pizza Hut!

We have a little tradition of going to Pizza Hut every Saturday for lunch. 

It's a pretty tasty tradition. 

Sunday School!

Back a few months ago, Steven was our little sidekick in Sunday School.

Now he's moved on to the nursery. Sniff, sniff. He's growing up!

Black & Red!

In case anyone hasn't noticed, 

I LOVE making my kids match!

It's gotten a little trickier, now that we've added a third kid into the mix.

But occasionally, I can still pull it off!

And even if Lydia is starting to protest and Joel thinks I'm off my rocker, I know deep down we all love it! :)

Princess Party (2)!

And now for some party guests!

Caleb and his "Stevie"...looks like he had just woken up from a nap.

Momma and Ashley's daughter Everly. 

Joel made incredible castle entryways! 

Too bad Anna Kate was over smiling by this point. 

Steven with his Buzzy and Poppa!

This is how she showed her age for a while. So cute!

I love my sweet Anna Kate!

That was a fun party!

Better start working now, I've got two summer birthday parties to throw this year!

Anna Kate's Princess Party!

Back in January, Anna Kate turned 4!

She decided she wanted a pink, purple, silver, and gold princess party.

We started out by getting ready at the beautification station. 

Party food!

Isn't she lovely?

My fancy girls!

The girls helped me make royal scepters.

You might not believe it, but there will be even more princess pictures tomorrow!

Then we'll move on to another event. A few things have happened since then!

Anna Kate's Birthday!