A day at the lake

 Walker and Tyson hanging out on the raft.

 Some friends from church came in their boat, and the kids had a great time swimming together!

 The boys loved riding in the boat.

 Owen swimming.....

Aiden swimming......

Today we went to Smith Mountain Lake with Joe, Jaimy and their kids.  The boys had a great time riding a jet ski with Joe, swimming by the dock and riding in the boat.  Mom and Dad even came down to hang out!!  Poor Walker had a terrible heat rash from being at Boy Scout camp this week, and Maddie just got back from Girls Camp, so she skipped the lake trip in favor of air conditioning, a luxury she hasn't had all week!

Tim, Joe and Walker went up earlier in the day to work on the boat lift, so they still needed to get back to the boat launch.  Jaimy, Tim and I got to ride there in the back of the bronco dad just finished restoring.  Did I mention the back seat hasn't been put in it yet??  (no need to really, since it's just mom and dad).  It was an adventurous ride from the lake lot to the boat launch (about halfway there the brakes weren't working very well either, it was raining, and we were on a very windy road)  Thankfully, we all made it home safely!  all in all, a fun filled day!

 They LOVED riding the jet ski!!!!

The Order of the Arrow

The campfire before the ceremony

One of the indians that performed the "tap out"

Last night Tim and I went to Camp Ottari to see Walker get "tapped out" for the Order of the Arrow, which is like the 'honor society' of Boy Scouting. We are so proud of him. They wait until dark, and then Indians come into the camp on canoes, while sparkler arrows are shot over the water. It was really neat. Sad to say, it was also way too dark to get any pictures!!!

5 little words

My favorite church hymn is the song "Did you think to pray?".  I have always wanted it cut in vinyl to put on my wall, and, thanks to Kari's sister in law....I now have it!!  I put it by the door, so hopefully no matter how rushed we are, or how many things we have going through our mind at the time,  we will remember to stop and pray. 

Love is.....

......riding down the interstate on a 97 degree day with the windows down (instead of using the air) so your son can pretend he's a dog!!!!!

The fair

I am not a fan of the fair, but we go each summer to spend time with Tim's family. This year, it was entirely too hot (like 94 degrees hot!).  Even though we were melting, the kids had a great time.  Check out these faces......it was worth it!

 There was a really neat lego exhibit.

 The boys enjoyed playing with legos for a while.

 Owen was too short to ride one of the rides, so he got to play a game instead.  This is what he won!  Guess who got to carry it around the rest of the day?????  :)

 Aiden, Owen and Tucker getting ready to go down the slide.

 Everyone enjoys bumper cars.

 Tim and Owen particularly enjoyed ramming other people!

 Walker and Heath getting ready for the ride to start.

Aiden, Owen, Tucker and Papa Wade getting ready to ride the ferris wheel.

Party at Patty's!!

 Water balloon fight!!!!

 Aiden hanging out in the swing.

 Patty picking cucumbers for us to take home from her garden

 Aiden and Owen like jumping on the trampoline

 Painting rocks...

                                                                Joseph chillin' in the pool!


Aiden met Joseph at preschool, years ago.....and his mom Patty and I have been friends ever since.  She decided to have a summer bash in her back yard for the boys last night, and they had a great time!!!

The 4th of July

As is the tradition, we cooked out and swam at Grandma & Papa "Brownie's" for the fourth of July. We went back later to use the "illegal" fireworks we brought back with us from North Carolina.....can't get caught setting those things off in Salem!  They definitely went up, out, and made lots of noise!

The Beach

I woke up Friday morning and decided I wanted to go to the beach.  Since Kari lives at the beach, I then called her, and asked if we could all crash at her house for two nights.  She said to come on down, so I called Tim and asked him how fast he could finish his route.  At 3:00 we headed to Shallotte, North Carolina.  It was a crazy fast trip, but we all went to the beach, and then some of us shopped and some of us fished.  It was a blast, and I can't wait to do it again.....next time I promise to give more advance notice!!