Hi, it’s been a while.  We have had a fun and fast summer.  I have to say that it is our fastest one yet.  Lot’s of entertaining, swimming, camps, visiting relatives, the beach and starting a business.  So here is a recap in pictures.

Tricia and Travis Cottrell

VBS

Papaw and Phoebe with sparklers

beach wheelchair..very cool!

Natalie, Phoebe and cousin Emma

cousin Lily, Emma's little sister

getting hair wrapped

church camp slide..FUN!

Phoebe and Holland at church camp

girls with Buddy Davis at the Creation Museum

Papaw's cannonball

Phoebe's cannonball

Elliott's cannonball

Last day of Summer break Celebration

Amazing Beauty by God

Whew, it has been a busy yet very fun summer.  We decided the last week of June that we were going to put in a pool.  I didn’t realize what an undertaking this would be.  It was well worth it, we have had a blast swimming all summer.  Natalie has had some water therapy sessions and the warm water helps her muscles. 

Phoebe and I went to Happy Hills Church Camp with our church.   I have to admit, I was a little nervous,  about the bugs.  But, we had fun and Phoebe learned so much.  It was only one night but she told me she can’t wait till she can stay many many nights. 

The best was the “water slide”  This thing is incredible.  They had a guy come in with a backhoe and trench this thing out.  The kids and adults had a blast!

Ms. Tonya

Camp was so much fun and tons of memories were made.  This will be something Phoebe does every summer.  Oh, by the way, we didn’t see that many bugs…hahah.

We spent tons of times with friends, having fun, eating yummy food and snacks.  Isn’t that what summer is all about!

Phoebe and Megan

Karla and Hannah

Phoebe and Emma

My girls w/ the Coop kids

last yippee before school starts!!

 So as you can see we did alot of swimming and visiting which was terrific.  School started today for our county which brings mixed feelings.  Natalie is in 5th grade, which is hard to believe, and Phoebe is in 1st.  My home is empty and quiet.  This will be a huge change for me but I am ready for routine and for fall.  I hope to help out at school and dive into bible study in a few weeks!  It does sadden me a bit.  Where has the time gone?  For those out there with little ones at home still, cherish you time.  It flies by! 

First day of school 2010-2011

Hi friends,

It has been a while since my last post. Things here have been so busy. School is winding down for the year and we are gearing up for summer!  There are tons of end of school activities.  Plans to  be made for summer.

What summer plans do you have?  We haven’t planned an official vacation but we are looking at some places. Where are you going this summer?  Natalie will be attending a summer day camp twice a week and Phoebe is going to VBS and church camp! She is really excited about church camp. It is only one night (for kindergarten and first graders) but the cool thing is, it is the camp I went to when I was a kid. I have heard it has changed and been updated. When I went we slept in modified barns, having to drape a sheet over the rafters to keep the bugs out. We did have running water for showers and toilets but we saw spiders the size of kittens…of course I haven’t told Phoebe about any of this or she would totally back out. Not a bug liking girl.

I really just want to relax this summer. I don’t want to have my days so planned out that there is no wiggle room. I want to be able to sleep in, rest, spend time with family and friends, enjoy our evenings grilling and just relax. Is that even possible? How do you plan on relaxing this summer?

I love to read. There is a group of gals that’s reading Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larson.  It is really good and Susie has such a passion for Christ. We are reading 2 chapters a week and hopefully going to be able to meet throughout the summer to chat about what we are reading and learning. I have 6 more books in line to read (not all this summer) but I just placed a book on hold at our local library and can’t wait to get it this upcoming week. It is by the season 5 winner of The Biggest Loser, Ali Vincent. She wrote, Believe it, Be it. I enjoy Biggest Loser and have watched it since season 3.  I will let you know how the book is and be sure to watch the season finale of Biggest Loser Tuesday at 8pm.

Have a great weekend, throw out some tips on having a relaxing, fun summer!  What do you do to make summer memorable?