Our first garden

My parents let us use part of their garden this year. We planted cantaloupe, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, carrots and watermelon.

It was so exciting to watch the garden go from this to this!

It was even more exciting when the first signs of food appeared!

I think the best part though was the counter crops!

We learned a lot of what to do and what not to do and how to do it better! 

The McWane Science Center

There is so much to do at this science center! Instead of me going on and on about all the exhibits, you can go here and see for yourself. If you are ever in Birmingham, I would definitely plan a visit. They have stuff for all ages! Here are a few pictures of the fun we had that day.

Our 4th of July

We headed to South Carolina for the 4th to visit with my husbands side of the family. His uncle and aunt have recently moved back to SC and bought a house on the lake. We spent 2 days swimming, boating, eating and watching movies in the theater room. I even amazed myself and skied for the first time in years........and yes......I felt the burn later!!!!!

The kids rode in the boat......

and drove the boat.........

and pedaled the boat.

We loved our days at the lake! 

I finally found the light at the end of the tunnel!

 I officially submitted my last assignment for my last class this summer about 15 minutes ago and I couldn't be happier!!!!!!!! Graduate school is no joke! I usually spend my summers on the go, having fun, enjoying time with family and friends. This summer was the complete opposite! I am glad I will have a little break before school begins again. Although, I really don't know how much of a break since I will have to study for the Praxis test I am taking in August.

Enough about school! Time to catch up on the few activities that did happen but haven't made there way to this blog until now! We will have to venture back to Memorial Day weekend at my sister's house. This has become a ritual weekend of ballgames, shopping, movies, eating and spending time with family. I love it and look forward to it every year. Here are a few of the activities from this year.

After a full day at the MacWane Science Center( post coming later), we ate lunch and dessert at the Cheesecake Factory.

We celebrated my niece's birthday.

 

On the way back home, we stopped and picked a few strawberries.

Before my sister's visit ended, we enjoyed a cupcake from Gigi's.

The girls went roller skating with all of their homeschool friends.

Carmel and I went to see several singers from the 60's.

You may recognize a few names:

THE TURTLES FEATURING FLO &EDDIE

CHUCK NEGRON formerly of Three Dog Night

MARK FARNER formerly of Grand Funk Railroad

GARY LEWIS & THE PLAYBOYS

MITCH RYDER & THE DETROIT WHEELS

Or maybe some of their songs instead:

 “We’re An American Band” 

“Some Kind of Wonderful”

 “Devil With A Blue Dress”

 “Good Golly Miss Molly” 

“Mama Told Me Not To Come”

 “Joy To The World”

 “This Diamond Ring” 

and of course “Happy Together” 

They were very entertaining and still quite good after so many years! 

Our local zoo was hosting a free military day. This day included entry into the park and the museum, lunch, and a train ride all for free. 

We bought passes to the base pool and try to go at least twice a week. They just opened up a new splash pad!

Another form of exercise we have been enjoying is an evening bike ride in our favorite neighborhood! Sometimes we stop to enjoy the scenery.

We made time for a Biscuits game.

Laney just returned from her first mission trip. She went to a church in Georgia to help plan and implement a VBS.

This was just a quick run through of the events with very few pictures. I will share more of our summer later.