Veggie Tales

Mia loved Veggie Tales when she was younger. Our church hosted Bob and Larry to come visit.  We just had to go see them in person!

Can You Believe Mia is in 3rd Grade!!??

This has to be the best summer ever for us. It was unbelievable for me to see it go by so quickly.  Well, here she is . . .  our 3rd grader.  Where has time gone?

Harry Potter's Birthday

Mia has read the first three Harry Potter books and seen the movies. She has begged me to read the next books, but we'll wait until she is older.  I find the first three are delightful and so did she. I am so glad she loves to read.

One of our local libraries hosted a Harry Potter Birthday Party.  It was so fun with food, crafts and an amazing scavenger hunt.

Can you see her getting hugged??

Can you see Halloween coming?:)

Friends and More Friends

More Fun Summer Memories  . . .

Getting Dressed Up Twice

I love this picture of Mia when she was a one year old.  How adorable she was!  I bought this dress in Guangzhou before we left to return home.  The dress Mia has on today was given to her by her good friend Olivia. Her grandmother brought the dresses from China when she came to visit.  I couldn't resist taking a picture of Mia then and now. By the way, she's still adorable!

Vacation Bible School

Mia attended two Vacation Bible Schools this summer and really learned so much.  I always loved VBS as a child.  Here is Mia reciting the Bible verse for the week by memory. . .

And singing with all the third graders  . . .

Summer Swim Meets

LifeTime Fitness

Our Hands Down Favorite - JCC

Solo at Violin Master's Class

Mia had her first solo at the Violin Master's Class in the spring.  We were proud she could play such a difficult piece without help from her music.  Way to go, Mia!

Fishing at Our Pond

Behind our neighborhood is a wonderful little pond. The river feeds into it and provides all sorts of fish and wildlife.  Mia really loves fishing!

Pickwick Lake

We decided to do something a little more low key when school got out for summer. We had already toured the four parks at Disney (which was fabulous and fun!) in the spring. This was a new and perfect idea!  We rented an enormous house on Pickwick and hung out for a few days - just the three of us.  Some things we encountered while staying there:

The town made Mayberry look like a metropolis.
The couple who owns the house is from our town.
We met an elderly couple who walks all over the town everyday except Sunday - he is a retired dentist from a local town.
The library has no electricity but has an open door policy (no librarian) with lots of Kroger bags so you can "borrow" all you want:)
We saw a town hall and police station (all in the same building) but never saw a policeman.
The gas station only had gas available two of the four days we were there.
There is only one restaurant and the sole proprietor cooks, waits on the tables, and works the register. She only opens when she feels like it.
What a great place - we can't wait to go back!

We visited this 100 Year old House that stays open all the time with no one guarding it!

Mia was able to see a real outhouse with toilet seats and paper all ready to go!   

This 84 year old man has built this amazing stone wall in remembrance of his dear grandmother and The Trail of Tears.  He was an amazing storyteller.  Mia loves history!

Just hanging out on the treetop porch.

 Mia's first ride on a WaveRunner.
She loved it in the choppy water and going really fast! 

Thank you, Randy!

 And of course, fishing. What better way to relax?

Very Creative

Mia is very creative with almost anything and always finds ways to entertain herself without limits!

Of course, it's an airplane!!!

Second Grade Author's Tea

Every year, our school has an Author's Tea so the students can show off their very best school and art work. It is a tradition we all look forward to every year. Such a great way to preserve the very best memories.

Spring Violin Recital

As always, we are very proud of our violinist!