Summer trip to Indiana

 The kids and I flew to see my family in Indiana a few weeks ago.  We had a great time and it is always nice to be near family.  The kids love their Grandma and being with the many dogs.

 We set up a small pool in the backyard for the kids to cool off.  The temperatures were hot, but it really was nice outside with the little pool and a great breeze. 

 Abby enjoyed the dogs.  She renamed several of them and bossed them around that they needed to follow her.

 Aunt Amy sent along some science experiments for Carter and he had a great time seeing if he could make a volcano erupt. 

 Grammy came down for a few days..  It was so nice to see her.  She taught Carter how to play a card game. 

 Then we set out to celebrate the start of summer.  It was my Grandma's idea, but a good one.  When 7:09pm hit on June 20th, we danced, the kids jumped in the water with their clothes on and it was fun for everyone.

At bedtime, Grammy read to Abby.  I think that Abby found some long books for her to read.  It was sweet.

 Aunt Amy also came for a few days and Abby enjoyed hanging out with her.

 My mom goes to some neighborhoods and reads to the kids and they can check out books, so we went along.  She had a great turn out and Carter and Abby enjoyed seeing what Grandma does.

 We have a dear friend that we always visit when we are in town.  I grew up with her son and have fond memories of this bridge, porch and pond.  Amy took the kids outside, while mom and I visited inside and these are the special pictures that she got.  I love them.

 Carter just enjoying the outside and Grandma's.

 Carter got to drive the 4-wheeler with Grandma on board...  He is getting so big.

Abby enjoyed feeding the horses.  

We left my mom's and went to Indianapolis to go to the Children's Museum with Aunt Amy.  The kids had a great time and I have alot of pictures from that day, so it will be the next post.  

Thanks again Mom for having us....

Little Dancing Queen

Abby has been taking tap/ballet/gymnastics at the Little Gym since January with some of her friends from school.   She has had a great time.  The girls got to show of their moves last week.  Here they are after the performance...

Abby on the low bar doing a pull over or flip of some type.  She really likes this part.

Abby and her friends...

The ballet routine.. 

After the show, the girls got flowers..

Abby with her teacher..

Sweet brother and sister.  Carter was so excited to go and watch Abby until the show started and he realized what was happening.  We had to remind him about the number of things that his Abby has gone to for him...

Darlington 500

We surprised Carter and got tickets to go to the Darlington 500.  We did not tell him until about an hour before we left and he was speechless and so excited.  He knows TONS about racing and is a huge fan.  

 Let me first start out by saying that everyone should be so glad that we have these pictures.  As many of you know, I take alot of pictures.  After the race, these pictures were almost gone.  The next thing that I am going to tell you is disgusting and as I could not get it out of my mind, Carter kept telling me that I just needed to think of happy things.  

My camera fell into the porta-john, I mean the actual porta-john.  My first instinct was to dig it out and that I did.  Then I pulled out the memory stick and headed out the door to find a bathroom to scrub by arm...  Needless to say, we are not even attempting the camera but I was able to get these pictures.  So enjoy these.

 Before the race there are several activities outside of the racetrack.  Carter loved them all.

 Playing a racing video game.

 Picture in front of a Dale Jr. car.  He is our family favorite.

 Cool NASCAR sand sculpture.

 Posing on the Geico Motorcycle.

 In the tiny Air Force Car.

 Walking with Daddy and all of the loot that they gathered.

 This one if for you Grammy...

 Carter in our seats before the race.

 Family shot.  Abby stayed with Nana and Gramps..  Carter could not stop smiling.

 Carter in a Clint Bower car.

 It just so happened that our seats were in front of Dale Jr.'s pit box.  Very cool.

 Carter having fun.

 Dale Jr. for pre-race introductions.

Here is our view of the race.  We were very tired after getting home about 1:30am but it was so much fun to see the awesome smile on Carter's face...  Priceless.....

Mother's Day School Activities

 Carter and Abby both had Mother's activities that I was able to enjoy these past few weeks. 

 Carter's class had a tea.  He was so excited to have me there and just loved it. 

Abby's school had Muffins for Moms.  She has a great class and here are all of the girls dressed up with playdoh when it was time for the mom's to leave.  They are so sweet. 

I love it that I have the chance to be involved with activities at both Carter and Abby's Schools. 

Air Show and Strawberry picking

Last weekend, Patrick had drill, so I took the kids to the Shaw Expo Air Show.  We had a great time looking at planes and watching the Golden Knights and the Thunderbirds.

Both kids did great wearing their ear plugs.

 The next day we went to pick strawberries.  The both thought this was fun.

 Carter taking a break to watch the airplanes.

 What a look..

 Posing for a shot...

She was so determined.  Carter had been with his school before, but this was Abby's first time.  I enjoyed the strawberries and made some strawberry bread.  It was delicious..  Too bad Carter and Abby won't eat strawberries.