Back in May, we went mushroom hunting at our top secret location. We found two small ones and that was it. Better luck next year!
Super cute Silas Cooper! Getting muddy outside...
We all got muddy!!
In June we had a celebration at Oil Belt Camp for all of the Spark kids from First Christian who had memorized the Books of the Bible. Maleah had and she got a medal. We were so proud of them all! Carissa got to go to the ice cream party too. It was delicious!
Maleah and her medal. She wanted to wear her Mickey ears and matching
shirt. She looked adorable!
In June, Maleah went to one night at Oil Belt Camp and then she went to four nights at 4-H camp in Monticello, Illinois. She loved it but she was ready to come home at the end of the week. When she got home Grandma Debby and Grandpa David had decorated the yard for her. She was so surprised!
Carissa, Silas, and Mommy all stopped at Fleshner's Candy Kitchen in
Tuscola to eat lunch on the day that we went to Monticello to
pick up Maleah. We had a great meal!
In the middle of June, we all went on a vacation to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It was so much fun! We went to Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg and the kids loved it! Maleah had been there before but not the others. We saw lots of sharks, a giant octopus, huge crabs, and lots of other neat water creatures. We stayed at a nice hotel in Pigeon Forge with an awesome pool and a lazy river. The kids loved that too. We went up into the mountains to Ober Gatlinburg in a big bubble-like thing that carried us up on a big cable. It was pouring down rain and the kids did not love it as much as I hoped they would. Oh well. I spent a lot of time on our trip with the words to "Smoky Mountain Rain" playing over and over in my head. "It just keeps fall-innng!" Besides the rain though, we really did have a fun vacation. It was a long drive there and a long drive home with our three kids but we did it!
Silas entering the Aquarium.
Sweet Maleah Rose at the Aquarium.
Carissa at the Aquarium.
Rolling through the water tunnel where there was fish and
sharks all around us. Silas slept through this part.
Maleah and Carissa sitting in front of the giant crabs.
One of our favorite things was Dixie Stampede. It was a
great show and a great dinner. Silas couldn't sit still but that
was okay. Carissa and Maleah loved it!
He is so cute. It's hard to believe that he was about to
drive us all crazy.
Our beautiful Maleah.
Love my girl!
This was the hit of the vacation! Panning for gold and gems in Pigeon
Forge. The girls loved it! They both left with lots of cool rocks,
fossils, shark teeth, and a little bit of gold. This was right
up their alley! They are still talking about it...
Sweet Carissa panning for gold.
How cute is she??
Super excited!
Just as excited as her sister...
He didn't get to pan for gold but he liked just getting
out of his stroller for a bit!
This summer we had a huge rain and it flooded everyone's yards and most of the roads in Flora. It also filled up our little pool in the backyard to the brim. The Rose boys came over and all of the kids had a great time playing in the cold rainwater.
On the day of the flood, we were supposed to have a surprise 60th birthday party at the NMN club for my Mom's 60th birthday. I even made the cake myself! We had invited her brothers and sisters and some friends too. Unfortunately, we had to cancel the party because all of the roads were so far under water that cars were stalled everywhere and the parking lot at the club was underwater. My Mom and Dad's road had a lot of water on it too so the party was cancelled. Mom got to blow out her candles later at our house though.
New rock for the back driveway. My kids love rocks!
They had so much fun "helping" Dad!
He was picking up rocks and putting them back on the trailer...
so then we decided that he needed to be on the trailer so he
could help unload. That worked out better!
Jeans and a gray pocket t-shirt just like Daddy.
He is so cute!!
And so is she!
On the Fourth of July, Carissa participated in the All-American Girl and Boy Contest at Charley Brown Park. She looked absolutely adorable! She won a goody bag and a ribbon. She had a lot of fun. It was really hot outside so we all headed home shortly after it was over.
The kids rode a few rides while we were waiting on
the winners to be announced.
Silas' first fair ride and he loved it! He cried when it was over.
He didn't want to get off!
Also in July, we went to the St. Louis Zoo. It was a beautiful day and we all had a great time. We saw lots of animals and the girls got to ride the zoo train with their Dad. Silas and I sat that one out.
And that brings us up to date on all of our pictures. Of course I have more news but I will share that in my next post. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment