Family Reunion 2011...

Every two years my mom's side of the family has a reunion in Lebanon, Tennessee.  Tony was unable to go this year due to work so the girls and I went by ourselves.  We drove to Georgia first and then drove up with my sisters and nephew, Jonathon.  We had a great weekend (June 24-26) and enjoyed seeing all of our cousins, aunts, uncles, my parents and my sisters.  Our favorite things were horseback riding, swimming/diving off the diving board, square dancing and playing with our cousins.   

 Riley was very excited to ride a horse by herself for the first time. 

 My dad and sister, Kathryn, went horseback riding with us on Friday. 

 Having movie time with cousin, Jonathon, after horseback riding.

 On Friday afternoon we went swimming and Reece jumped off the diving board for the first time.  The lifeguard told me I had to wait on the side of the pool instead of waiting for her in the water.  I was not sure how Reece would do in the deep end since she was not a strong swimmer yet.  But, she did great and swam right to the ladder.  She loved it and spent most of her pool time on this diving board. 

 Friday night we had a family pool party.  Reece was having a ball going off the diving board with all her big boy cousins.   

 Going for a dive.....or a belly flop. 

 Canon Ball....

 Reece inspired her big sister to try it out.  This was Riley's first time on a diving board and she loved it too.

 Reece with her friend, Lyla.  They had a great weekend together.

 My girls had a great time with all their older boy cousins.  They were having water fights and even some of the adults were getting into it.  In this photo, my mom's cousin, Doug, was dumping water on Regan's head.

 This photo is blurry but it captures all the fun.  Cousins, Jacob and Eric, were lifting Reece up and down on the noodle.  She thought this was so much fun and the noodle eventually broke. 

 Reece riding on Jacob's shoulders.  She was having a blast and little did she know she was acting as Jacob's shield from all the other guys.  Jacob knew if he had Reece on his shoulders they would not try to get him....or would they??  That is Ok, Reece took care of them with her noodle sword.

Reece's best bud, Jacob.

Uncle Sid and Aunt Betty's Family.

Cousin Jacob and Uncle Jeff swinging Riley.

Riley adores her cousin, Laura. 

Cousins:  Sarah, Laura, Jacob, Riley, Reece, Regan, Jonathon and Katie.

Jacob was so good with my girls and played with them all weekend long.  He had to leave early on Sunday to go to a baseball camp in Florida and my girls were so sad.  He came over to our cabin early Sunday morning to say, "goodbye" and my girls just sat on the front porch with him talking.  There was lots of tears after he left, especially from Riley. 

This was a river we went swimming in and we also enjoyed jumping off tree branches into the water below.

 

This was the tree we used as our diving board.

We had a spaghetti dinner with my Aunt's family.  Here the kids are chillin' after dinner.

Jonathon and Cousin, Laura

Cousin Jacob plays baseball and is a pitcher so he and Riley played some stick ball together.  This meant so much to her that he wanted to play ball with her. 

Doing a silly square dance...

Reece dancing with Uncle Sid.

My mom and her sister, Betty, did a funny dance to the song, "You've Got A Friend In Me."

 Riley dancing with her Grandpa.

 One last photo outside Springcreek Presbyterian Church before leaving.

 Reece and Lyla had a great weekend together and it was hard for them to say, "goodbye." 

"Goodbyes" are hard!  Riley was heartbroken to leave her big cousins, Laura, Jacob and Sarah.  I wish we could have taken them home with us because my kids adore them!

The girls with Uncle Sid and Aunt Betty.

A Communing Member...

This past spring, Regan was in a class with our pastor to learn about what it means to be a member of the church.  We mainly had her go to this class to learn more about what it means to become a communing member but did not think she would actually join the church yet.  But, our Pastor Ross approached us toward the end of the class and said she was really spiritually mature for her age and definitely seemed ready.  We too had noticed a huge change in Regan since we joined our church plant.  She loves church, loves to read her bible, has become more confident, has developed a servant heart, and has really grown in her faith.  Tony and I talked about it with Regan and we too felt like she was ready.  So, she had an interview with one of the church elders and became a communing member of our church.  We took our first family communion together on Sunday, June 19th (Father's Day) and it was very special.  On Sunday, August 28, Pastor Ross recognized Regan and one other child as the newest communing members and presented both girls with a devotional book.  Regan was very excited and has read her devotional every night.  She is also excited to be part of the G.H. community.  At the end of this month she is going to read the sermon text during the worship service and is really looking forward to it.  Tony and I are a little amazed that she wants to get up in front of the whole congregation.  But, God is giving her confidence, a heart that wants to serve and is growing her into a mature young lady.  We are very proud, blessed and pray that Regan will continue to pursue God daily, love Him wholeheartedly and will always walk in the way of our Lord.



Riley's First Hit!!!!

Riley took up softball this past spring.  She was one of the youngest on the team and also one of the only ones that did not have experience.  But, that did not phase Riley and she played hard and persevered.  What I loved best about Riley was her attitude.  She did not get any hits the whole season but she still loved the game and cheered her team on.  We all knew how much she wanted a hit but she did not let that get her down or give up.  Every time she would get up to bat the coaches, her teammates, the parents on the sidelines, and us were just hoping this would be the time she actually hit the ball.  She fouled tipped once or twice but never got a hit.  Riley's coach commented on how Riley does everything fast and she was usually ahead of the ball with her swing.  She just needed to get her timing down and we knew once she mastered that she would be hitting the ball more and more.  Tony worked with her at home, the coaches worked with her at practice and I prayed a lot.  Well, we ended the season with no hits but Riley would still tell you it was a fun season and she would do it all over again!  Tony and I learned so much from her wonderful attitude.  At the end of the season, the league had a "fun day" where all the players would come together for one more game.  There was not many players signed up so they had to combine the ages into one group.  So, there was 7 yr olds - 11 yr. olds playing in this game.  Tony took Riley to the game since it was in the middle of the day and it was HOT!  I wanted to go so badly because I was afraid I may miss Riley's first hit but we also knew the odds were slim and we did not want to make Reece and Regan sit in the heat.  Well, I should have gone with my mother instincts because Riley got her first hit!!!!!!  It was her last at bat and they got five swings each time batting.  She was on her last swing and she hit a grounder to third base.  There was a 10 yr. old playing at third and grabbed the ball and threw it to first but fast Riley made it to base just in time.  She was safe!!!!  Not only was she safe but she drove a run in!  She was so excited and so was everyone else that knew Riley's history.  She even got to run around all the bases because her teammates drove her in.  This was the first time she was able to run the bases too.  It was a great way to end the season.  Now, months later, we are heading to Riley's first fall season softball practice today.  I am very excited about what this season will be like for Riley.  Hopefully, it will be a season of many hits, but if not, I just pray she keeps her winner attitude and has fun!    

Worth The Wait....

Aunt Abby and Uncle Joe started a tradition with our girls that when they turn five they get to choose a date of choice for their birthday with Uncle Joe and Aunt Abby.  Due to our busy schedules we can't always find a time right around their birthdays.  So, this year Regan got a wonderful belated date in June (June 16th).  She chose to go horseback riding with Aunt Abby and then to dinner with both Aunt Abby and Uncle Joe.  Here is Aunt Abby's recap of the date....

Instead of buying our nieces a birthday gift, Joe and I take them out somewhere special on a date. We love it! I love finding out what the girls want to do. This year I was able to take Regan horseback riding. She had been once before and loved it. I would ride a horse everyday if I had the chance, so it was a perfect fit! Joe decided to just meet up with us for dinner, so it was just the girls. I love spending one on one time with my precious nieces! It was so hot this past week, that Regan and I snuck a quick trip to the ice cream shop BEFORE dinner! She chose Panera as her dinner of choice where we met up with Joe. Such a sweet time with a sweeter niece!

 Regan with the horse she rode, "Little Man."

 All set to go....

Heading out on the trail. The fastest we went was a trot, but Regan handled it like a pro! She held on and made her horse cooperate even when it wanted to forge it's own trail! (Aunt Abby's comment)

I was told my horse, Ms. Rose, can be a little cantankerous and I would really have to make her go. I think they were talking about a different horse! I was constantly holding her back. We started out behind Regan but Ms. Rose decided to break in line! This is the best view I could get taking a picture behind me without letting Ms. Rose have too much free reign!

(Aunt Abby's comment)

Regan says, "Thanks Aunt Abby and Uncle Joe for a great birthday date!"