Weekend at Jackson Lake

On the rare weekends that Paul is in town, we pack up and head to the lakehouse for a much needed break from reality.  The Crawford Family came with us and Railey was more than excited to show the kids everything Jackson Lake had to offer.

The lake level has finally come back after some repairs to the dam so it was nice to have the boat on the dock for the first time this Summer.  We lathered the kids with sunscreen, poured drinks and loaded the kids on the boat to head to the lake's #1 attraction, Goat Island.

Note to self, let Maysie's life jacket dry completely before storing it next year.  And, find a way to remove mildew immediately.

Smart Railey....put on her goggles when the boat was going fast:)

Once we got to Goat Island, the kids got the food ready and climbed to the front of the boat.

This picture reminds me of the beginning of an episode of "When Animals Behave Badly."  

It turns out the goats did behave, but one of the fish bit Railey

Then it was time for some tubing....up first, Railey and Buie!

Next up was Celie, Bella and Paul.  That didn't turn out so great.  Almost immediately into the water while going .5 miles per hour.

Then the REAL fun with Chris and Buie....they were the only ones who let us go fast!

Throughout the weekend, the kids took turns driving the boat

This picture cracks me up....

It was all fun and games...

 Until Paul started going fast...

Thanks to Mandy, I finally was in a picture!

Of course Uncle "Stork" was there to play with the kids:)

Jet Ski Time!

Mandy and Celie

An amazing weekend...we were already planning the next trip before we walked out the door!

Rites of Passage

As much as I would love to freeze time right now, the inevitable is happening.  The girls are getting older and new things are happening on a daily basis.  Maysie now wants to drink solely from a big girl cup, no longer sleeps in her crib, and faces forward in her carseat.

Railey will be starting Kindergarten in the Fall, is learning how to read, and just had her first sleepover.
It was only fitting that her first time spending the night out was with Buie and Mason.  I allowed her to pack her own suitcase, she forgot to pack clothes but I added an outfit in after the fact.

I had to capture the moment, and Railey was all smiles.

Maysie now closes her eyes when I ask her to smile.  So unless I take candids, this is what I get.

Chris has figured out the way to Maysie's heart.  Through food or Apple products.  

When it was time for me to leave, Railey got a little sad.  I truly thought I would be driving over to pick her up within the hour.  Instead, I got a text and picture from Mandy with their new giraffe loveys that she made for them.  

Railey even talked her into embroidering her pillow pet and a couple of other loveys too!  

They stayed up until midnight, then all woke up at 4:00 a.m. and didn't go back to bed.  First sleepover = huge hit!

4th of July

Since Paul was going out of town on the 4th of July, he and some of the other neighborhood dads decided to plan a early fireworks celebration and dinner on the 3rd.  In other words, they came up with an elaborate plan to buy fireworks in South Carolina...A LOT of fireworks!

It was a great afternoon that started off with some patriotic decorations, none of which I got pictures of since a little thunderstorm passed through 15 minutes after they were put up.  Then swimming at our house, dinner, swimming at the DeFoors, then THE show.  (Fireworks picture credit goes to Mandy Crawford as I had temporarily lost my camera battery charger)

Oh Railey!

The fireworks were amazing...scary, but amazing!

The next day we woke up bright and early to a Dunkin Donuts delivery from Miss Amy and then a little water balloon fight in the culdesac.

Morgan even came up with a water balloon slingshot!

It was all smiles....

Until Little Miss Maysie broke her first water balloon.  I think we would have been better off had she been stung by a yellow jacket

After a fun morning, we saw Daddy off to the bus, and loaded up the kids to go to Indian Hills Country Club for some swimming, barbecue and fireworks.

After her swim, Maysie decided to play in her mermaid towel....thanks Mandy!

My big girl agreed to pose for a few pictures

With her new favorite Mia!

Railey got to stay late and watch the fireworks show with JoJo, Mia and Anslee but I couldn't resist to snap one last picture before I left.  Gosh I love these curls!