FHE at Lake Bowen

For FHE yesterday we joined our old pals, the Fletchers at Lake Bowen! Chris's parents have a beautiful house on the lake. Her dad even took us for a nice scenic ride around the lake in his pontoon boat!

Here is Clair - looking all Hollywood on our "cruise"!Bowen on Lake Bowen
Kate and Stephen

More from Hollywood Clair!

Mr. Ravan let each of the kids drive the boat!My beautiful Kate in the golden sun!

Kate driving!

Bowen and Mommy!

Ethan and Clair

Bowen and Daddy

Grant and Kate

Bowen's turn to drive!

The sunsetting on Lake Bowen

Two wind-blown friends!

When we got back we fished on the dock for a while! Nothing better than fishing in the dark!

Thanks to our wonderful hosts - the Fletchers (and Ravans) It was a super fun night!

Camping at Table Rock State Park

This past weekend we went camping with some of our neighborhood friends at Table Rock State Park! It was a blast! I didn't take any pictures the first day, we were so busy getting everything set up and getting dinner ready! The next morning we woke up and ate a quick breakfast and then we went to the lake and took a guided canoe tour! It was SO cool! Stephen and Kate and Bowen rode in a three man kayak. Clair and I rode in a canoe! I was a little worried since I have never done anything like this before, but it was SO cool! Now I totally want a canoe or kayak. The lake was beautiful and so peaceful! The view of table rock was the best you can get in the middle of the lake. I am only sad I didn't have my camera - I was so afraid it would get dropped in the lake! Next time I will buy a disposable water proof one! When we got back all of our friends were gone on a hike so we relaxed and ate lunch! Clair drinking her favorite - SODA!

Like father like son! Stevie and Bowen chilaxing!
Then our friends got back, we did a little camping project with the kids!
Clair making a fire starter with dryer lint and pine cone!

Some of the kids making fire starters!

Clair and her friend Brynlee!

Bowen after some mini oreos! So darling!
IT was SO hot! We decided we needed to cool off! At first we talked about going to the park's lake beach! But there was NO shade! So instead we found a cool mountain stream above the lake! It was SO cool and perfect!

Kate chilling in a mountain stream!

Bowen sunning his pasty white self!

Bowen realizing the water is WAY cold!

It was SO hot - high 90's maybe even 100- that Stephen welcomed the cold mountain water!

Isn't this beautiful! This was the first place we cooled off in! I loved this place!

Then we moved down stream to a swimming hole with the rest of the group! I didn't like this place as much! Very crowded and sandy bottom!

Here is our whole group!

Kate trying to catch minnows!

Stephen cooling off in a bigger water fall!

Clair and Brynlee!

Bowen hated this place, he is like his mama, he hated the sand in his toes!

After cooling off in the water we went back to camp to start dinner!

Clair was so tired - after a busy day of camping she fell asleep while Stephen was getting the fire ready for foil dinners! Power nap!

Kate woke up the last morning with such a sun shining face! Too bad it didn't keep the cloud away! It poured and we had to break camp in the rain, which really stinks! It was a great trip and I am ready to go again! I just love camping! I am so glad our kids like it too!

Oh what do you do in the summer time?

Hang out at the pool to keep yourself cool with friends! Eat special breakfasts OUTSIDE!

Do workbooks and read so brains don't get too mushy over the summer break! (Isn't their mommy mean!)

Eat ice cream - LOTS of ice cream!

Go out to movies and lunch with out best buddies!

And much much more - stay tuned for more summer fun!

1st Grade End of the Year Awards

Kate received the prestigious 1st grade music student of the year award! Her sweet music teacher said, "This student LOVES her piano and shares her piano playing talents with her class. She is also a great singer and lights up my classroom with her presence!"

Here is Kate with the 2nd grade music students of the year & the 1st grade boy music student! After this several parents came up to me and wanted Kate's piano teachers contact info! We should get a discount for being such good publicity for her! :)

Here are the 1st grade students who earned the Governors reading award! (Kate is on the middle row, right center!)

Here is Kate's first grade class after the awards ceremony!

Orientation - Isn't just for college anymore!

Our sweet little Clair participated in Kindergarten orientation the other week. She was SO excited and literally POPPED up & out of bed when I reminded her why she was being woken up earlier than usual! We went for a tour of the school, got to see a kindergarten classroom in action, watched a movie about the school (co staring our own Kate!) and even got a drink and snack from the lunchroom! Clair already knew a few people and was happy to sit next to her best buddy from the neighborhood! Look at these two - so excited for Kindergarten!

Sadly, Clair was too quickly disappointed. She told me as we were leaving the school, "Tomorrow morning I will get right up and get dressed and pack my bag for school!" I had to break the news that kindergarten wouldn't start for almost three more months! :(

(PS Thanks Aunt KT for watching Bowen so Clair and I could have this special time together!)

Terrific Kid

We are so proud of Kate! She earned a great award - she was the Terrific Kid for the 3rd quarter! (It is like student of the quarter.) She is such a great student and deserves this recognition! Here we all are out to support her & cheer for her as she was presented with her award!

Here is Kate and her sweet Principal Mrs. Parker. Kate with her award!

Kate with the other first grade Terrific kids (Two from each class!)

Way to go Kate - but we already knew you are terrific!