Summer is finally here.....

Summer has arrived and now the lazy days of laying by the pool, no bedtimes, grilling out and enjoying each other is here.  Of course, I forgot to add baseball to this years summer list...lots and lots of baseball!  Kanon has made Jr League Allstars and they have asked Don to coach, so we will be traveling all over for some baseball games.... Dalton and Augusta to name two of the places I know about now. It will be HOT I'm sure, but Kanon's excited.

First Glimpse of Pool Time

Good Friends+Good Music=Good Times

We have the best group of friends in the world and last weekend we went to see Kenny Chesney with some of those friends and had a blast. I think the pictures say more than words can....




The Crowd..We were not the only ones there!



She is as beautiful on the inside as she is the outside, Love her!

Me and My Honey

The Gang Tailgating before Concert

I promise they didn't plan this, or did they? Ha!




 

The AWARD....

Grayson and Parker of course rocked the end of the school year and as usual racked up their share of awards.  I am so proud of them both.  My prayer is that they will continue to love school and do well as it prepares them for their future.  When we got back to Parkers classroom following the "big" awards ceremony it was time for the classroom awards.  Mrs. Johnson began presenting each child their award and every so often would give a little grin my way.  We waited...and waited...and finally Parker was the last child to be given his award and I knew it was going to be something special as I had watched his teacher move it around and save him for last.  Well...it was special all right if you can call it that.  I nearly died! not because of the award but because of how stinking proud Parker was to receive it.  Ta Day......

I think the award name says it all.  Parker looked at me in all seriousness and said " Mom, I have worked hard all year for this award". You gotta love that kid!

My Little Star Student

And then it's on to 8th grade formal....

Kanon attended his 8th grade formal this past weekend and had so much fun.  I think they had more fun at the "after" party then the actual dance.  They all dressed up and met for dinner at Okinawa, then back to Ellie's house for pictures, off to the dance then swimming at Wellington. Kanon is the best around.( ok I left my computer screen open and Kanon added the last sentence).  Back to what I was saying..... Kanon and his sweet friends all looked amazing and his friend Ellie was kind enough to even have her picture made with the little sister.

We are so blessed to live in a wonderful community where our children are surrounded by wonderful friends.  These kids are great Christian kids that come from good homes and have wonderful manners.  They are so smart and make good choices. I love the group of friends that Kanon hangs out with.

I have some pictures from their swimming party afterwards that I will add later.  A great night for a great bunch of kids.  I can't believe it's time for high school for Kanon.  Mr. social butterfly may have to actually study a little. :)

Spring Piano Recital

Grayson had her very first piano recital this month.  It was beautiful to hear my baby girl playing such sweet music.  She didn't appear to be nervous at all and I cannot say how very proud I was to be sitting on that second row listening.  I taped her recital so her daddy and brothers could watch the following day.  Daddy really wanted to be there but between double header baseball games and getting Kanon to dinner before his 8th grade formal, there was just not enough time. I represented the family and it was great.  I think Grayson's favorite part was the iced pink and purple cookies shaped like music notes at the reception (which daddy did make a quick appearance to, thank you daddy). 

After the recital when we were getting back in our car, Grayson all dressed up and in her usual way with words that cracks me up says " Ah.....my chariot awaits, but......it sure is messy!"  I guess I should explain further.  We have been in the car so much the last few weeks going from one activity and event to another, my car has gotten a little out of control.  oh ok... Don....ALOT out of control. :)  There will be plenty of time to clean when school is out this week.

Tyler's 16th Birthday

Well....my baby has turned 16!  I'm not sure where to start, there's so much I want to say about the wonderful young man you have become.  You are smart, friendly and have a big heart.  Once you put your mind to something, it turns out great.  Your actual birthday consisted of mom waking you up to krispy kreme donuts with one candle.  That is our little tradition around here, breakfast with a lit candle and your family starting your day off by wishing you happy birthday. After school, your papaw came and practiced some parallel parking with you and then we had dinner with a cookie cake (your request).

 The best part about this was Tyler thought this was all there was, but really the entire week was full of surprises left for him. A car was next on the list. We got the car on Wednesday while Tyler was at school.  As we were coming home and rounding the curve just before our house, I asked Tyler "so...are you planning to take your drivers test in your papaws car? He said I guess and I proudly announced why don't you just take it in your car? He said, what???? About that time his face lit up as he saw the car in the driveway.  I LOVED It!!!! His excitement was worth all the crazy running around for days trying to find a car.

The next day Tyler went to take his drivers test and he probably rather I not post the outcome of the first test, but I gotta...It's part of the whole experience.  He was so nervous he failed the first test...not because he was a bad driver, but because he was speeding during the test.  We can laugh now about it after he has now taken the test again and made a nearly perfect score. I kept reminding him for the second test, the brake is the one thing you need to use. 

This birthday has been fun for us all.  The wonderful memories that have been made will stick with us forever. The surprise birthday party topped off the celebrations.  Thank you Ashley and Nancy, I couldn't have done it without you.  Making it a surprise for Tyler was actually Ashley's idea.  Her birthday is May 7th and she has always wanted a joint party and this year we decided to go for it...After all, It was a very special birthday for the both of them. A red hummer limo took Tyler, Ashley and 16 others to laser tag, varsity and the melting pot.  I think the best part was playing loud music, laughing and talking on the way to each of the places.  Nancy and I followed behind and I think the picture taking cramped their style a little bit, but they never complained. 

The first stop....Stars and Strikes

 Next the Varsity and the Melting Pot.......