2nd Annual July 4th Trip to Nashville!

FINALLY! It has taken me a day and a half to download all of the pictures! Mike has a new, pretty awesome camera, and he went crazy with the number of pictures he took over the July 4th weekend! We do love the new camera though!

So, we left for Nashville on Thursday evening, and arrive at Tonya's that night. On Friday, we went to the zoo and stayed several hours since they were having July 4th festivities. I know I have said this before, but I really love the layout of the zoo. Emma and Gabe wanted to get their faces painted, so we waited in line for that. When we left the zoo, we went to Monell's in downtown N-ville for dinner, then went to the park for family pictures and some games (aka duck duck goose). And then we went to the lake near my sister's to watch the fireworks!

On Saturday, we went to Franklin for their July 4th festival, and it was HOT! But the kids had so much fun on the inflatables and on the bungee jumping attraction. And on Sunday we went shopping at Opry Mills, where I found some great deals at Gymboree outlet and Carters Outlet! Emma and Gabe now have (cute) school clothes!

We had such a great weekend with my sister--we were exhausted every night but it was worth every minute! Below are the many pictures that were taken with our new camera!

Gabe wanted to bungee jump!

He loved it!

Emma wanted to go "higher"!

She has become quite the adventure girl!

Coming down the slide!

This picture makes me laugh! They "flew" down the slide!

Here they are, climbing up the huge slide!

All dressed up for the 4th!

Gabe and Aunt Tonya at the park!

Aunt Tonya and Emma

Fireworks over the lake!

Playing Duck Duck Goose--Emma's favorite game!

Sweet Gabe!

Finally, a good one 60 pictures later! We wanted to take another family picture here, 1-year later!

In front of Monell's!

Mike took another one of me--I am telling you, he was taking pictures constantly!

Gabe looks like a member of the fight club! He had a bump on his forehead from falling at the playground at the zoo. And the other "bruises" are his face makeup--he had fallen asleep and smeared it all over his face (and my shirt)!

Mommy and Gabe at Monell's.

Mommy and Emma at the zoo!

I had to upload this one--I told you he went crazy with the pictures!

Looking at the aquarium!

He wanted Spiderman painted on his face!

She wanted hearts!

At the zoo--me,Emma and Tonya

In front of the giraffes!

Jumping at the zoo--in mid-air!

Another one of me! I think Mike likes taking my picture!

Night time is Superman time!!

So, Mike saw these superman pajamas that had a detachable cape included, and he HAD to get them for Gabe!



Emma and Gabe, after bath time and ready for bed!

Here's the cape!

And here Gabe is...flying!

Summer cuts!

Check out Emma and Gabe's summer cuts--aren't they cute!!

Summer fun!

Below are some pictures from the water park! We have been several times, and plan on going several more! The kids (and I) love it, and it's a short drive and inexpensive! We have a summer pass, actually and always bring a picnic lunch to enjoy while there! We are really enjoying the summer--and it's going to be so nice this week and in the 80's instead of mid-90's!

In potty training news--Gabriel is doing wonderful! He is improving each day, and is having less accidents! He has definitely amazed me--and is proving to be easier than his big sister was! WOW!! He talks constantly too--and lately he has been calling us "mom and dad" instead of mommy and daddy! I have no idea where that has come from, but it's so cute when he will say, "sure, mom", like he's 12 instead of 2!!

Emma and Gabe will both start swimming lessons on July 20th--I know Emma will do fine because she is so much more comfortable in water than last summer--Gabe on the other hand...Well, we will just see.

15-year High School Reunion!

Saturday night was my 15th year h.s. reunion, and we all had such a good time! We had it at Mariah's Restaurant in Bowling Green, and it really was the perfect location! It was so much fun catching up with everyone, and learning what they have been up to for the past 15 years! Rebecca, who helped me plan the event, made up awards, and we had an "award ceremony" for the longest married, most kids, etc. I won the award for the "farthest traveled"--It was between me (China) and my friend, Brian, who had went to Tahiti and Bora Bora. Below are a few pictures from the event!




Me, taken before the reunion!

Jennifer and I met our friend Sarah early, to get everything ready. Of course, we spent most of the time catching up!!

Jennifer (my twin) and me!


Our class! Well, some of them anyways! Of course, some had already left at this point, and we didn't include the spouses in the photo. We really did have a good turnout!

Dora Live!

Last week, the kids had their pictures made. And before we left, I made them pose for me. How cute is this?




So today, Mike and I took Emma and Gabe to see Dora Live, and they LOVED it. Actually, we all loved it. It was so cute! Gabe had his own seat, and loved every minute of the show. Both he and Emma were singing and clapping and waving their stars.

Boots, Dora, Azul the Train and Benny on stage!

Mike took this one of Emma!

And he took this one of mommy...

Emma and I during intermission!

Sweet Gabe, after the show was over!

Me and my babies!

Emma hugging her new Dora doll during lunch!

Mike was making Gabe laugh during lunch, and took this one!

And here they are, after we had eaten!

We had such an awesome family day! Other than the heat, everything was perfect! After lunch, we went shopping. And then when we finally got home, Gabe used the potty!! What a perfect ending to a perfect day!

I have been potty training Gabe since Monday, and he has been doing fantastic! He loves to pee in the potty for a treat! But we haven't mastered #2 in the potty yet, but I feel confident that he will do it soon! We still have a long way to go, but I am over the top with excitement that he has done so well!!!

End of School, beginning of summer...oh yeah!!

GOODBYE SCHOOL...

Emma's class at the ice cream social--with their goofy glasses on! This was their farewell party!

Emma's last day of preschool was May 28th. They held a graduation ceremony, and all of the students performed songs for the parents. Then they received their little diplomas!

Emma, Jonah and Lilly holding their diplomas! Lilly will be going to pre-k with Emma next year. There are actually 4 students out of her class going to pre-k next year!

Mike took this one of Gabe and me during the graduation!

Mike also took this one! ha ha

The kids were really into singing! The theme was patriotic-red, white and blue!

AND HELLO SUMMER!!

On Monday, I took the kids to the water park. They had so much fun splashing each other, and splashing me! I packed our lunches, and we enjoyed a little picnic while there!

Posing with my kiddos!

Gabe absolutely loved the water!

Awwww!

Emma loves her bikini!