Suprise!

For Jack's 40th, Nan, Granddaddy and I all joined forces and planned a big suprise party at one of our fave restaurants in town. We had a great turnout and yummy food and I think Jack was at least partly suprised by the ordeal. We are so blessed with wonderful family and friends and our lovely little community!

Kamp Keowee

Kinsey, Max, and Cousin Thomas all got to play pirate this week as cute little peg-legs and jolly rogers at Pirate Camp. Nanny and Papa and a few of their neighbors hosted and organized a week-long camp at Lake Keowee. The little scallywags had a grand time swimming, crafting, and tackling the obstacle course during their week of grandparent fun. The camp was concluded with a closing ceremony at the Keowee Springs pool with a cookout, swimming, and of course some singing of camp songs. Thank you Nanny and Papadad for all of your hard work and patience with the camp and for all of the fun you provided the kids this week and all of the time! We love you---argh!!!

Girls Trip

While the kids were away at camp this week, Mary and I decided to take a quick girls trip to Charleston. We had a great time tanning, reading on the beach, shopping, and sipping by the gorgeous sunsets--all the things we never get to do with the kiddos around! :) Love that girl!

Hakuna Matata

We had the most wonderful day today in Greenville. For Christmas, Nanny and Papadad gave all the family tickets to the beautiful Broadway hit, Lion King! We got to town early for a delicious Brunch with the Pitmas crew and then headed over the the theater for the show. It honestly has got to be one of the most amazing performaces I have ever seen! The opening act gave me goose bumps and brought tears to my eyes. The best part about the whole experience was looking at each one of the kids' faces (including sweet Davis, who was glued to the entire show) and seeing their eyes sparkling in wonder and their little jaws dropped open in awe! What a special treat this was!!!

Silverthorn Farms Show

Another great (but HOT) day for Kinsey and Joe and their High Point Buds as they reached midpoint in their second show season. Kinsey ended up with several ribbons but also a first--she was disqualified in the Medal Class for forgetting the course. It was a tough lesson for her, but we were very proud that she pulled herself together for her next event, Crossrail Hunter, which she Reserve Champed!

Camp: Round One

This week began the two week whirlwind of camps for Kinsey and Max. Kinsey's choice was an intense 4-days of riding and jumping at horse camp while Max chose 5 days of Tae Kwon Do, crafts and games and karate camp. In addition, both atteneded VBS "Amazing Aviation Adventures" at church every night as well (Max below on "Crazy hat and glasses night"). Both kiddos had a grand time having fun, learning, and making new friends, but the shedule definitely wore them out!!!

Father's Day Bike Ride

Guess who learned how to ride his bike yesterday?!?

"Stop it!"

Sleepy little guy on the way home from the dude ranch yesterday!

CCR 2012

Kinsey settled on Cody, er, Clear Creek Guest Ranch for her birthday celebration this year (much to my approval!) So once again, we convinced the grandparents to hit the horse trails with us for a long weekend getaway. We all had a wonderful mini-vacay riding horses, swimming, fishing in the trout pond, line dancing, and meeting new friends. Kinsey rode beautiful Bleu most of the weekend while Max chose Jubilee as his steed. This was the first year Max was old enough to go on the Junior Wrangler picnic ride and he did great! Also a first was the Guest Rodeo, as last year's got rained out, as well as the Running of the Horses. Both Kinsey and Max had fun participating in the rodeo as well as Jack and I. Kinsey's cake this year was a cool Indian village and her main gifts were Kaya (native American Girl) and a HUGE bicycle that she cannot get enough of!) Also noteworthy was Kinsey's fishing experiences. She caught her very first fish on her birthday morning and hooked another monster that afternoon using, what else, gummy worms!!! :)

Hot Springs

We had a great weekend in the cool NC mountains with the Jack's annual family reunion in Hot Springs. We had great food and fellowship, enjoyed a lovely bluegrass festival, a splash in the Mill Pond and some geocaching (one of our new fave pasttimes) on the Appalachian Trail.

Active Climbing

We had a fun morning with our church family at the local indoor rock climbing warehouse!

Stone Mountain

Hopefully the first of several trips to our favorite rock this summer...

Ice Cream Social

Cookies and icea cream at the barn today. Great way to cool off on this beautiful day!

High Point Summer Show

Kinsey and Joe at High Point Farms!

MB 2012

Another fabulous week at Myrtle Beach with my side of the family...grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, you name it! I SO love my precious family time! Myrtle Waves, putt putt, Krispy Kreme morning, beach jogs, Mrs. Fish, "cousins night IN," Pirate's Voyage, Burky's--what memories!