Washington day 2

We hit the ground running in Washington. Grandma & Grandpa Phipps took us to Seattle first thing.

The kids were so excited to see the Space Needle poking up into the sky.

Adrienne walking with Great Grandma Phipps.

We're getting closer!

The kids enjoying the view from the top of the Needle.


We found a "W".

The music museum below the Space Needle had very interesting architecture.

It's very cold here.

Aahhh. This is much better. A great view & a nice warm cup of cocoa.

Our summer trip to the west coast begins...Day 1

My very excited travellers.

Leaving Nashville behind.

Even excited travellers need a nap every once in a while.

Happy Father's Day

We were going to miss being with Tony for Father's Day this year so we decided to celebrate a little early. The kids picked out foods they thought Daddy would like to eat while we were away. Lots of chips & salsa.

Block Party

We decided to have a summer block party with the neighbors on our street. Yummy BBQ & way too many desserts! My idea of a good party. Oh, & fun neighbors too.

The kids were having a ton of fun on this little jeep. That's how we roll around here.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Adrienne's birthday dinner. She requested turkey with all the fixings.

Birthday present JOY.

Trying out some of her new clothes.

Make a wish.

Purple & pink birthday cake. Yum!

Having fun at the Oaklands Mansion

We visited the Oaklands Mansion on the Free Day in May. We got a tour of the house & free lemonade. There were also old fashioned games for the kids to try. They really enjoyed rolling the hoop around & trying to toss & catch the ring (which was like an embroidery hoop). It was fun to watch the kids pretend to be in a different century for awhile.

The busy end of school

It seemed like there was something going on every day at the end of school. It was a very busy time but we had lots of fun!

On field day, the kids got to participate in a variety of indoor & outdoor competitions.

Here's Eli's class getting hosed down after participating in a sponge relay.

Good thing it was a hot day!

There were tug-o-war competitions. Mrs. Wright's class won first place for the 2nd graders (for the 3rd year in a row). Go Eli!!

The championship photo.

They also did cart relay races. It was pretty funny to watch.

Adrienne's class also got in on the tug-o-war action.

You have not heard noisy till you've heard a gym full of kindergartners screaming for the team of their choice. Wow!

...and they all fall down.

My hot sweaty tug-o-war girl.

We parents were recruited to play on teams with the teachers. Adrienne took this action photo for me. Sadly my team lost.

On Awards Night the kids did a great job. Here is Adrienne with her 3 awards she received for: Perfect Attendance, Rockin Reader & Most Outstanding Girl in her class.

Eli also cleaned up with 3 awards for: Citizenship, Art Award for best boy in 2nd grade and Most Outstanding Boy in his class.

Adrienne's teacher celebrated all the summer birthdays in the class with a party. I thought that was a great idea.

Here are the birthday kids with their birthday goodies.

Parents were invited to come if they wanted & so of course we wanted to.

This was the last full day of school for Eli.

The last full day of school for Adrienne.

Adrienne's class got to go to the park & have a pizza party and another award ceremony where everyone gets an award & their scrapbook of photos from the year.

The three best friends...Amber, Adrienne & Abby waiting for the pizza party to begin.

Silly girls Abby & Adrienne.

Adrienne's class waiting for individual awards from the teachers.

Happy girls.

My Mom's in Touch prayer group had an end of school pool party for the kids in our group. We had a pizza taste test for the kids & treats galore.

Having an icy treat at the pool party.

Eli with Mrs. Wright on his last day of 2nd grade as we went to pick up report cards.

Adrienne with Mrs. Lane on the last day of Kindergarten.