Summer Chain of Events, Week 6

The final week of our Summer Chain of Events was not the most well organized one.  This was my first "official" week back at work so it makes executing everything a bit tough.  Things got moved and changed around and then we still missed a couple things and substituted some.  Here's what we ended up with.

Monday, August 13th: Water balloon fights!!!

Tuesday, August 14th: Frisbees at the park. This one didn't actually happen.  We didn't have time to do it and then we got rained out on the day we were going to make it up.

Wednesday, August 15th: On Wednesday we took the kids up to Gilchrist to find out who their teachers are.  The each found their names on the class lists and were happy with who they got.  Seth has Mrs. Snyder (1st) and McKayla has Mrs. Poll (4th).  Unfortunately, the only pictures I got were of their class lists and since those have other peoples names on them I don't want to post them here. 

Thursday, August 16th: We made Fenway some yummy, home made, dog treats.  I got the recipe from my SIL and Fenway absolutely loves them!!!

Friday, August 17th: On Friday night the kids had a living room camp-out.  I have no pictures of this :(

Saturday, August 18th: This day we were supposed to have a picnic at the park but we got rained out.

Sunday, August 19th: Justin and I had planned to take the kids to the Tallahassee Museum but the kids had come up with something so wonderful, we scratched our plan and did theirs instead.  The kid's choice was so AWESOME that it's going to get its own post.  Stay tuned for that. 

Well, that's the sad ending to our summer chain of events.  I am sad that summer vacation has ended and I know the kids are too.  Luckily, going back to school means that the kids will get to start playing sports again (football, volleyball, soccer, baseball, etc.).  Only 41 weeks until we do it all again :)

Summer Chain of Events, Week 5: Week in Tennessee

For our fifth week of summer with the kids, we had only one chain and it read, "Going to Tennessee!". That's just what we did.

On Monday, July 30th, we packed up the truck with clothes, a pack 'n' play, a dog crate, a stroller, movies, snacks, and a few other essentials.  Then the six of us (including Fenway) loaded up at 5:00 a.m. and started the eight hour drive to Dandridge, Tennessee where my Dad and Step-Mom live.  Everyone traveled great and we only had to stop three times.  When we got there we were rewarded with this view from the house of Lake Douglas...

The week was jam packed full of fun.  There was water skiing, tubing, knee-boarding, swimming, jet ski's, a trip to the forbidden caverns, a trip to Wonderworks, and about a million or so games of Yahtzee (Seth's new favorite). 

I'll let the pictures tell the details...

Huck and Uncle Ryan :)

Ryan on the tractor

Dad thinks he's a farmer now because he has a tractor :)

Dad and his kids! 

Love my brother!!!

They love their uncle Ryan and owe him BIG TIME

for all the trips on the boat and being pulled by the boat. 

Huck the astronaut!

Pitching Practice

Throwing as fast as he can!

Rock wall climbing. 

Justin and dad pedaling to get upside down.  They did it!

Working on his skateboarding skills. 

The kids with Grandma Donna :)

Our house on Google Maps. 

Harder than it looks!

Huck and his Grandpa

Uncle Ryan takes the kids tubing, again!

Hanging out in the shade. 

That's McKayla knee-boarding. She can be a bit of a dare devil. 

Wave Runner Rides

Grandpa was the only one to get up on the skis. 

About to head into the caverns. 

Deep in the caverns. It's a bit cold down there!

Stopped for breakfast on our way home. 

We had another great week in Tennessee.  We're already looking forward to next year's trip.  Hopefully my SIL and the kids will make it next time.  We really missed having them there.  

Summer Chain of Events, Week 4

As you already know, the "Summer Chain of Events" got put on hold for most of the week.  We got back from Destin on Saturday so Sunday was the only day with a link on the chain.  Just to keep with my previous format...

Monday, July 16th: Destin Beach!!!

Tuesday, July 17th: Destin Beach!!!

Wednesday, July 18th: Destin Beach!!!

Thursday, July 19th: Destin Beach!!!

Friday, July 20th: Destin Beach!!!

Saturday, July 21st: Headed home :(

Sunday, July 22nd: On Sunday we took some shells we got at Stuart Beach back in March, some sand from Destin Beach, twigs from our yard, plaster of paris, and water to make sand-casted starfish.  This is my favorite crafty activity we've ever done with the kids.  It was pretty simple but did take two hours to be completed and dry.  Here are the directions we used.

They turned out great!

McKayla's before pouring in the plaster.

Seth's before the plaster. 

Getting ready to pour the plaster in.

McKayla's

Seth's

I really love the way these came out and that they're made from two of my favorite beaches.  Once we figure out how to get wires on the back of each one we'll hang them up.  If anyone has any good ideas on how to do that, I'd love the help. 

Only two more weeks of our "Summer Chain of Events"!