Summer Flowers

As the summer winds down, our zinnias are OUT OF CONTROL! We often spend time cutting them for indoor bouquets and saving the seeds for next year. Faith and Jake just love these simple gardening tasks and we enjoy the time together.

Basket Bouquet to Bring Inside

Quick Kiss!
Jake, too, loves the flowers - he's my little gardener.

"Would you like one?"

Busy girl

Does anyone needs seeds for 2010?

Splash Country!

Cooling Off!

Daddy an Caleb on the Slide

Checking it all out
Having Fun

We got to go to Dollywood Splash Country several times this summer...maybe once more before they close after Labor Day.

Family Love

Sisters who don't get to be together often enough. Sweet Memories!

Kindergarten!

Jake's first day at school! Walking up with Daddy

Outside his classroom - getting a little nervous...

Last minute loves from Mommy

Jake was excited, but a little uncertain. His teacher, Ms. Clark, welcomed him and we helped him get organized in his cubby. He found his little desk spot with his name, and also saw his name on a bulletin board. Jake decided to play with some tinker toys/building set first and another boy quickly came to join him. I know he'll enjoy a great day.

I can't wait to pick him up already!

Cousins!

The Martens came to visit from Missouri ... it's always so fun to see the cousins all together (but very hard to capture all six in a photo!)

Up to Gatlinburg

Nana is the best!

Everyone rode the chair lift up the mountain.

Mindy's chair photo is supposed to go here, but is showing up at top of blog...sorry!

Audrey

Anna & Ellie

Anna & Faith share a cupcake.

Big fun on the climbing wall!

Anna & Faith Pony Rides

Aunt Mindy & Caleb in Nana's Garden

The annual "Teddy Bear Picnic"

Over to the Penner Home

Pizza!

No more girly toys, the boy toys were a hit!

We're so glad we got to visit!

Dollywood

We are so thankful to have season passes to Dollywood this year! We like to arrive in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening with cooler temps and shorter lines.

Faith enjoying the Merry-Go-Round...she always chooses the pig to ride because it is pink.

All three got to ride the Bumble Bees!

The Scrambler is Faith's Favorite! Jake loves it, too.

Faith makes sure Caleb is alright on the Lucky Ducks.

Caleb loves the Piggy Parade ride...so proud to be riding alone!

Jake on the Carousel.

More Summer Fun

Nothing says SUMMER like a backyard wading pool!

Double Trouble

Big Splash!

Wild Woman

Jake has started climbing ontop of our mailbox (about 5 feet high).

Independence Day

Ready for Sparklers, Tanks and other At-Home Fireworks

Can you tell how much they loved it?

A very independent soul!
(trust me, he is!)

Summer Days

A favorite summer activity is going to our beloved Smoky Mountains where we have a picnic, wade in the Little River and spend unmeasured time tossing stones into the water. I hope they always remember these carefree days in nature.

Sweet Faith

Jaker!

Caleb is learning to love throwing rocks into the river.