OOPS!!

Carson was swinging this strange stretchy ball over his head & knocked my plant over. The look on his face was priceless. I got out the vacuum & told him he needed to clean it. He got to it right away & took the clean-up very serious! I think he looks so cute with the vacuum!

A Day on the Lake

The Ashbaugh's invited us to spend a day on the lake with them. We had a FABULOUS time! We had not been out with them since they only had Connor & we only had Abby. Whew...5 additional kids later & we are trying it again. Our family had a GREAT time!!

Abby has been desperately wanting to learn to ski. She goes mowing with Kurt & Connor & the house is on a lake. Kurt ski's while they mow. Ever since seeing Kurt ski, it's all she can talk about! (that girl is up for ANYTHING!) Thank God Kurt wasn't bungee jumping or something else horrible.

Abby got her moment to ski, which she did awesome! She was getting up but then having trouble figuring out what to do with the extra tension in the rope. But she kept trying, over & over again, she wasn't going to let it defeat her! It was her last try & up she went & skied all the way to the dock! It was quite a way. Yeah for Abby!! The little kids got to swim in the lake & ride on the tube, they thought that was awesome!!

Good times on the lake....Thanks Ashbaugh's!!

Heading out for the day

Abby & Connor

Everybody on the tube

Carson & Mom

Bubbs was dying to drive the boat

The real Captain of the day

Lauren & Mattie

Carson, me & Nancy

Carson pretend fishing with the noodle

Dad & Bubbs

Sydney & Abby

Bubbs swimming for his life!

Abby & her shining moment!

There she goes...

Hold on Ab!!

Yeah for Ab!!!

She's Awesome!

Abby goes to Cheer Camp

Oh my word! It's hard to send your child off to camp! It scares me, this is only the beginning! She's going to have to go every year, then college & other getaways she thinks she should go on. Whew...tough stuff!!

As far as camp... she thinks she is dying & should come home. :) I think she is suffering from a bit of homesickness. We had to have her at the school Monday morning at 4am & off to University of Tennessee. Her days have been jammed packed! We go tomorrow to see all their accomplishments & bring her home. I think she is going to be HAPPY to be home!

Maybe this will be the beginning & end to her wanting to venture off too far. I think her dream of going to the University of Kentucky is officially over. (although we have had her somewhat convinced already) It hit her hard last night. I think she likes us a bit more than she realized! :) Maybe all the squabbling & noise with two sisters & a brother isn't so bad. One more night & Ab will be back & all will be back to normal. It's certainly has been strange without her here!! We are all feeling her absence.

4th of July

I absolutely LOVE the 4th of July!! It's one of my favorite holidays! I always get choked up hearing the patriotic music & watching the beautiful fireworks. As a family we always go watch the fireworks. I made red & blue jello popcorn, so yummy!! Doug had an extremley busy week at work & made it home just in the niche of time to go watch the fireworks. This was after going to work at 2am!! Then lucky him, he had to work the next day, his day off.

But we had fun fourth anyway!

Watching the fireworks...

Bubbs is really in to gang signs...like Jaci's boys! :)

Abby & Dad enjoying the beautiful firework presentation

Mama & Bubbs

The kids love sparklers...

Syd looks like she is doing an indian dance

Bubbs showing off his muscles & mean face!

Our Garden

Our family LOVES a garden!! We didn't have one last year & we were very sad. The girls & I have bugged Doug to harvest another one. Doug finally gave into our begging. We planted yellow squash, zucchini, beans, green peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes & cherry tomatoes. The kids LOVE going out & checking on the growth & finding veggies that are ready to be picked. It is awesome to bring items in from your own back yard for supper.

We love our garden...thanks Daddy!!

Getting our garden ready....

Finished putting in the seeds....

Look at it now!

Our first zucchini

Look how big!

Our 1st yellow squash we picked...