pool fun

We have an inflatable pool and the kids had a fun afternoon cooling down!

Dan Nicholas Park Camping trip

We went 'cabining' June 18-20 at Dan Nicholas Park in Salisbury.  We went with Bruce, Lisa, Carly and Ashley.  They were in their RV and we were in the cabin next door.  Other than the air conditioning (thank goodness...it was HOT) we were roughing it, having to go to the bathhouse for the bathroom and shower.  The kids had a blast playing in the woods, looking for firewood, riding their bikes, cooking marshmallows, and taking in the amusements at the park.  It was great to see them having a great time in nature.  I see more camping/cabining in our future.  The kids did stay up really late...we even took a cool shower at 10pm on Saturday night...they had gotten so dirty from sun lotion, bug stuff and playing in the dirt.

The park is awesome...and has some great amusements for really cheap.  There is a fun train ride, carousel, wildlife park, little water play area, petting zoo (sort of) and gem mine.  There was an awesome playground too.
It was a fun weekend with good friends!

Pilot Mountain

We went to Pilot Mountain on the 11th for a picnic and hike around the knob.  It has been a long time since we've been hiking, but it was fun and the kids really loved it!  I see more hiking in our future. 

Bridget's recital

Bridget has been taking dance at a studio this year with other little girls.  I think it's been a good experience for her!  She has enjoyed it.  Her first recital was on June 10th.  They danced to Trickle Trickle.  It was very cute to see the sweet girls up there trying their hardest.  Bridget did a great job!!  We had a full house - Brian's parents, my Mom and sister were all here to see Bridget perform.  What a lucky little girl to have so many people who love her so much!  :)

The first half of June....

On June 3rd the kids and I went to the Lazy 5 Ranch.  Emily and Megan were going with her playgroup and invited us along.  What a fun day we had!  The ranch has a drive through park where you can feed the animals.  We took a wagon ride through feeding ostriches, different kinds of deer, yak, giraffes and more.  There is also a petting zoo and fun playground area. 

Check out the cow/yak/bull (not sure which it was)'s tongue!  Crazy...thought he was going to lick us.    You could feed the animals with your hands, except for the bulls - you had to drop the food in their mouths.  They were well trained!  See Bridget and Dillon's version of the tongue.  LOL

The baby giraffe was born 7 inches too tall to nurse.  So, they hand feed her 4x a day and in August they'll put her in with the other giraffes.  She downed that bottle fast!

June 5th was Ashley Belland's 2nd birthday! Everyone is growing up so fast. Here are a few pics from her party. (You really need to flip between the 2 pics of Dillon fast, his face change is hilarious!) Look at the girls and Dillon growing up! Ashley and Dillon up top, then Carly, Taylor, Bridget and Devon.

Bridget, Dillon and I visited Sarah in Harrisonburg and picked up the dresser she borrowed from us.  We had a fun time walking for ice cream, and eating at a rooftop restaurant.  (The picture of Dillon is so serious!  Bridget loves twirling in her twirly whirly skirt!)

Here's a decent picture of me.  You have to find just the right angle for a good one.  :)

Preschool is over for Bridget....

Bridget has had a fun 3 years of preschool...and now it's done.  She was sad to leave her friends and teacheres, but she will soon start another adventure!  Kindergarten will be here b/4 you know it...August 25th is the first day.

So much happened in the time Bridget was at preschool.  She sprouted - growing at least 10 inches.  Dillon was born.  Her artwork has changed from stick figures to intricate drawings of princesses in beautiful dresses with shoes and no detail left out.  She knows all her letters, can write her name in upper and lower case.  She can count to well over 100.  She is working hard on reading.  She has blossomed from an almost 3 year old to an almost 6 year old....from a toddler to a young lady.  Bridget is incredible, amazing me everyday, frustrating me at times (unfortunately that might only get worse...but I hope we'll work through those rough times), an awesome big sister....the list goes on.

Here is Bridget on her 1st day of preschool September 2007, then September 2008, and September 2009:

Here is Bridget with Mrs. Bingham and Mrs. Paul - her teachers this year!

End of May fun....

Here are some hightlights from the end of May:

Kittens are growing and growing!!  And Emily and Megan came to visit with the kittens.

Bridget has decided their names are Lucy (the short hair with white feet and chest), Dirus (all grey longer hair) and Pocket (grey longer hair with some white on her face).

We had a fun trip to the Children's Museum with Emily, Grace, Jackson and Lily.  We saw the Big Bang Boom band and played away.  Dillon climbed the beanstalk all by himself for the first time.  I have had to climb and it's not an easy task for adults!!  They have so much fun with their imaginations at the museum.  :)

Silly bathtub drawings!  (Bridget's is of Shrek...we went to see the 4th Shrek movie and loved it!)

In the dog crate...LOL