First Day of School Photos

Molly, looking so grown up on her first day of Kindergarten. How on earth can my baby be in elementary school already?

McKenna, growing into a beautiful little lady, looking "too cool for school" on her first day of second grade.

And both of our little "fashionistas", growing impatient with Mommy snapping photos, ready to get the show on the road.

Geocaching at CG Hill

Aha! We've spotted the cache!


The girls dig through the "treasure" and make their selections, while replacing a trinket for one they take.


Still mulling over their choices.




Mommy and the girls.

Molly's missing Teeth

Little Molls with her first 2 missing teeth. She lost her first tooth on July 1st and the second one about a month later. When she first came running into the bathroom one evening before bedtime to announce the fact that she had her first loose tooth, she was so thrilled. I acted thrilled for her too, but once she climbed into bed, Mommy had a private little breakdown. How could little Molls already have a loose tooth? Didn't that tooth grow in just the other day?!? The missing bottom teeth are cute... Molly still has the teensiest element of baby left to her look. But when those top teeth come out, well, then it is all over. Babyhood officially is left behind, little girldom will solidly be here, whether Mommy likes it or not!

Dutch Wonderland

For the second year in a row we all took the children to Dutch Wonderland. This amusement park is simply perfect for elementary aged kids and everyone had a wonderful time. We started off riding Molly's favorite ride, the Sky Ride.

Here is Aunt Kris riding with McKenna and Elliot on the Boat Ride. (You can't see the E-Man, but he's there!)

The lines at Dutch Wonderland aren't bad at all. Wait time was minimal, and the ride time was considerably long, which made for a good day. Here's the girls waiting their turn in line.

It is amazing what a difference a year makes. Both Molly and Ailey hated this ride last year, but being the evil mommies that we are, Kris and I urged them to try the Whip again this year, never mentioning their reaction to it last year. In the photo below Molls and Ailey look a bit concerned...

Kris and I started to wonder whether the girls were having flashbacks about last years ride. We needn't have worried... check out these faces!

So You Think You Can Dance: Elliot Style

No words really necessary. The CF (Cuteness Factor) is huge in this clip.

And who can resist a man with a blueberry-pie goatee?

"The Sweetest Place On Earth"

During our trip to PA, Mommom took the granddaughters and myself to Hershey, PA... otherwise known as "The Sweetest Place On Earth". The moment you enter Hershey you know it... the streetlamps are made to resemble huge Hershey's Kisses and even the road itself turns from highway gray/black to milk-chocolate brown. The girls repeatedly said that their Daddy would absolutely love this place, being the chocoholic that he is. Here is a shot of our "Sweeties" in the car on the way to Hershey. Below is a shot of the street lights.

The first place we stopped was Hershey Gardens. Mommom had visited the Children's Butterfly House a few days before we arrived in PA and knew she just had to take her granddaughters there. Here they are in the Children's Gardens.

After Hershey Gardens, Ailey had the brilliant idea to go to Chocolate World... so we did! The kids enjoyed the ride through the simulated chocolate factory but I think their favorite part was the free chocolate they received at the end of the ride. All in all, we had a sweet time in Hershey!

14 Years!

For our annual anniversary getaway this year, Ron and I decided to go to someplace other than Black Mountain. Though we have loved staying at The Arbor House for the past 2 years, we chose to head to Blowing Rock for something different. We were so glad we made that decision as it was so much closer to waterfalls and hiking trails... so close, in fact, that we could hike after breakfast from our hotel, to a waterfall in Blowing Rock, and be back in time for lunch. Below are some shots we took during our 2 day anniversary trip.