Running

Ella Grace asked her Daddy for headphones. He set her up with music, and she took off running around the pool, like when I go running. =)

I asked her if she would like to go on a real run with me. She was SO excited. She even wanted to put her Gatorade on top of the mailbox like I always do. =)

Some of Daddy's music didn't make the cut. We had to stop because she did not like 38 Special. Can't say I blame her. =) Sorry, Daddy.

What a fun time and special memory with my sweet girl. Girlfriend ended up running about half a mile. I was shocked! She cried when I made her go in, but I was afraid she was going to over do it in this heat. I have a feeling in a couple of years, she will be running circles around me.

Summer Camp

My babies have LOVED camp this summer. It has kept us busy, but they have had a blast.

Evan is back for his third summer at A-Camp. A-Camp is a blessing...that is all I can say. A wonderful blessing. He has gotten to do so many FUN things, and he still has two weeks left. They are so sweet to take pictures every day of all the fun he is having. It is so wonderful to get a peek into his day. I have a lot more than this, but these are some of my favorites.

Exploring

Crafting

Catching bugs

Canoeing

He has developed a special bond with this Camp Counselor, Mary Pat. He LOVES her.

And I'm pretty sure the feeling is mutual.

Happy boy to be at camp

Proud of all the badges he has earned

Swimming

I've been asked to speak to the Board of Directors of A-Camp in a few weeks about what A-Camp has meant for our family. I don't think there is enough time to communicate what a blessing it is.

Ella Grace spent a week at Princess Camp. She loved every minute of it. Talk about right up her ally! =) She learned that princesses aren't quitters and that being a princess is a big responsibility because you take care of those you love. She also learned how to hold her dress out when she walks down stairs and how to always have her plume (feather pen) with her in case someone wants her autograph. Ha! Just precious! I'm so glad she was able to go.

Here she is being "announced" to all the land as Princess Ella Grace by Queen Nettles.

The princesses entertained the audience by doing the "Macarena." They also learned a line dance and the motions to YMCA! SO cute!

They learned to get their own refreshments and use the ladle all by themselves to get their own punch.

She danced with Daddy. Her favorite part, I think.

It's official. We have papers to prove it. =)

Still Catching Up...17 Years

July 2, 1996

On July 2nd, Derek and I celebrated 17 years of marriage. We've been together a total of 23 if we count our dating time. Well, some of it wasn't really dating, as my mom wouldn't let me date until I was 16. Derek and I met when I was 15, so we spent a lot of time on the couch watching TV. It seems like we watched A LOT of episodes of "Hunter." Remember that show?

I'm so thankful God brought Derek and me together at such a young age. It is fun to go back and look at pictures...when Derek was all elbows and knees and I was all hair. I think the kids will enjoy looking at them as well. EG will already say, "Daddy was old here," having it mixed up that he was really young! Ha!

My mom watched Evan and Ella Grace so we could go out to eat. We went to our favorite restaurant that has the best steaks ever! I'm so thankful for such a loving, supportive husband that is a wonderful Daddy to our children. We've made a lot of good memories and I know lots more are to come.

Tiny Dancer

Wow! It sure has been a while. I have missed blogging. I just can't seem to find the time. I was looking for something the other day...a picture I think. I knew it was on my blog. I found it, and in the midst of looking realized how many memories I had documented...this I had forgotten about had I not blogged about it. I'm going to try to get re-started. Even if it's not a long post, I want to post something about daily life with this sweet family of mine.

Ella Grace is LOVING dance! She had her first dance recital last weekend. It was SO cute! She had a blast, and I had no idea how hard it was on a momma. The other moms and I spent our time changing costumes, running back to the auditorium for the performance and then running back to the changing room. I was exhausted, but I was SO proud of her! She did great and had so much fun!

We couldn't take pictures or video during the performances. These are pics I took before and back stage. We are ordering a DVD, and I'm anxious to watch it.

Granny brought her flowers...

and so did Daddy. This was at the awards ceremony at the beginning of the recital.

She did her tap routine to "Boot Scootin' Boogie." Precious!

She did her ballet routine to "My Girl." Sweet doesn't even cover it! I cried!

She did her gymnastics routine to "Walk the Dinosaur." It was her favorite. Here are the girls staying busy with a snack and a movie until show time.

Ella Grace and some sweet friends she made while at dance. She had the best time and I see lots of dance recitals in my future. =)