Tennessee Visit

Just got back from a visit to G&G Meiers in Tennessee.  My brother and his wife and two girls (who live in Florida) were there, too, so my parents had a packed house!  The kids all had a great time - they are all the same age, and they had fun getting to know each other and playing together.  It got a bit loud at times, but what can you expect with five kids under the age of six!  We did lots of boating, swimming, water skiing, inter-tubing and eating.  We also took a day and went to Dollywood, which the kids thought was really fun.  I'm busying going through the 250+ pictures I took - below are some of my favorites that I've already edited.  They are in no particular order.  

Consistent with last year, Griff did not like the boat. You would hear him repeat all week, over and over again, "I do not like that boat."  He only went on it twice, both times looking very pained the entire time we were out!

Abby, tired of my taking her picture, and anxious to get back into the water!
Fishing with Grandma after out picnic dinner.
Hannah, falling asleep on the boat, our first day there. I think she was still tired from our late flight into Tennessee!
Hugging Dad.

Fishing with Grandpa.
Silly grin from Abby.
The kiddos.
Avery (3), Sidney (6), the babes and Abby at Dollywood.  Cute shirts, no? Made 'em myself.  And Griff wore that same expression the entire time we were at Dollywood. You would think he had an awful time, but he didn't....he just looks grumpy!
Abby on the boat, looking out.
Sweet Avery.
Miss Hannah
Abby, just out of the water.
Sidney



Grandma and Abby
Getting ready to tube with Dad
Ah, balloons and Sidney!
Love this picture of the girls!

Celebrating the Fourth of July

We've had a busy and fun 4th of July weekend. Friday we had a neighborhood party, which was great fun. Abby ran around with all her friends all night, and Hannah and Griff ate lots of popsicles and drank lots of juice boxes, two things they rarely get, so they were in heaven :-)  Below are some pictures of the fun.

Saturday we went to the local parade.  It was all about collecting the most candy for Abby, and Hannah and Griff liked seeing all the fire trucks and airplanes overhead.  This was the first year it wasn't scorching hot, so it was actually a bit enjoyable!

Today, Sunday, we went to the beach.  We are looking forward to a calm day tomorrow, perhaps just playing at home.

Hope you all had a terrific 4th of July!

Bubbles

Having some fun with bubbles yesterday. Heading to the pool today with some friends. Picnic tomorrow in the neighborhood and then the parade on Saturday. Should be a fun 4th of July weekend!

Hannie's Bedroom

Whew, I think it's done....Hannah's "big girl room" is finally finished! (well, for now....a room is never finished now, is it :-)  Mike hung the shelves for me today, and I got to check off the last of the to do's for her room.  Below are some pictures. I think it turned out really cute.  Her new cream bedding and chandelier have been ordered and should arrive later this week (so I guess Mike will have at least one more to do!), so picture the room with those additions!  Also, sometime this fall Mike will be adding cream molding around the lower half of her walls....so picture that as well :-) Ok, so not done....but done enough for now!

Her walls are painted a chocolately brown...the name of the color was hot cocoa, and seriously, when I poured it out of the can, it looked good enough to drink!

LOVE her headboard. Looks great in person.  Pink and cream toile. Love it. (weird reflection on the walls from the mirrors on her shelf)
Blank picture frame on the wall...haven't found a picture yet.

Found this doll house at a garage sale for $40, including furniture and people - bargain. I had Mike make me a small little table to set it on. I covered it in some burlap and added some nailhead trim.  I'm planning on adding some paint to the house, but won't probably do that until the fall.

I've had this rocking chair for about five years, and never used it. I bought it from some small antique store. It didn't have a seat, so I had Mike cut me a seat and I covered it with fabric from her crib bedding.

And here is a close-up of her headboard.  You can't tell from the pictures, but it's nice and soft and padded....comfy to lean against!

So....onto Griff's room!  

Strawberry Fields Forever

I took the kids to a strawberry farm this morning for some pickin' fun.  Fun was had by all, although I think the part they liked best was eating the berries on the car ride home!  We came home with 8 pounds, which I thought was a lot, until I saw many other families walking away with double and triple that. What do they do with all the berries??? I'm planning on going back after the 4th - their blueberries will be ready then, and the kids LOVE blueberries.