Hannah Grace's Fun In Charleston

Samuel's Charleston Fun

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Check back soon for pictures of our fun week-end!

We spent a wonderful week-end visiting with Aunt Kendra, Memama and Grandaddy on Friday evening and then with Uncle Eric and Kristi and cousins on Saturday and Sunday.

So, check back for all the pictures...

Happy Birthday Uncle Eric!

While in Chaleston we were able to help Eric celebrate his 30th Birthday - what fun we had eating out!

Fun and Fireworks

While the girls were gone to Kentucky and Samuel was with Big Daddy Travis and I had some much needed time together. This year's travel season has been pretty rough and we have missed our time together, so we were thankful for the time for just the two of us.

Once we got the girl's on the road - we really didn't have any plans; we talked about just getting in the car and driving, but with the the price of gas we decided against that, there wasn't anything going on in town - we really couldn't find much to do...until, we were leaving Costco and I talked my sweet hubby into going and painting pottery with me! As we sat and painted our plate, just the two of us in the entire store, I was giddy with love and I really couldn't believe it. Ever once in a while I would remember what kind of deal I made with him for him to be sitting there with me, but it would pass quickly and the happiness would return. We picked up our plate yesterday and it and didn't turn out as great as we had hoped (the white paint didn't show up) but it was still fun.

Now, when we finished painting, it was time for me to keep my end of the bargain. I had promised Travis if he would paint with me I would go see Indian Jones with him. So off we headed to the movies and our popcorn and diet coke supper. Travis loved the movie and I loved just being with him.

It was nice to sleep as late and we wanted, which was only till about 8:30 (yes, we are getting older and just can't sleep late). Travis cut the grass while I straighten up the the house with out three kids messing it up as soon as I got it clean and then we went to the grocery store, where every other wife had their husbands on their day off.

We spent a restful afternoon with naps on the couch - it was great!

That evening we met up with Big Daddy and Samuel for supper and then went to Big Daddy's church to watch fireworks. I don't know how many of you have ever been up close and personal with a fireworks show, but we can now say we have. Big Daddy and Grammy were not sure what to expect, this was not a "church function", but the fireworks are done in the church parking lot and there were lots and lots and lots of people there. Watch for next years event - I'm sure it will be great.

I have to admit - I was a little over-stimulated by all the noise and fireworks. We were so close, the dust was getting in our eyes, nose and mouth and we were being hit by pieces of the fireworks as they came down. Over-stimulated or not - they were beautiful!

Getting ready...

Samuel came home with us on the 4th and on Saturday we got in the car and just the three of us went to Dollywood. We didn't know how to act, not pushing two strollers into the park. We don't get much time with just Samuel, so it was very nice to have a day with just him. I didn't take too many pictures - I was having too much fun riding all the rides. But here are a few:

I don't like water rides, so I did sit this one out.

It is KidsFest in Dollywood right now and the big show is the Kratt Brothers, from Zoboomafoo. I love the Kratt brothers, so I did take lots of pictures of this show, but I don't want to spoil the surprise for those going back with us later in the month.

So there you go - that was our week-end of fun and fireworks!

It's Their Turn

Over the 4th of July week-end the girls took a trip with Memama and Grandaddy and Aunt Kendra to Kentucky. Samuel has made the trip many times and the girls have started asking when they get to go with Memama and Grandaddy (and Big Daddy and Grammy). So, we decided that it was time for them to start taking turns and the girls got the first turn. Which worked out great for us because Grammy was gone last week and Samuel was spending the week with Big Daddy - if you haven't caught on yet, Travis and I had a week-end at home by ourselves, more on that later.

The girls visited with Great-Grandmom and Great-Grandpop Cool, Aunt Lisa and Uncle Terry, and Aunt Cathie and Uncle Mark on the 4th and had a great time eating, playing outside, visiting the horses and getting their nails done.

After their visit in Albany, it was off to Stanford to visit with Nannie Rose and Papa Red, where they enjoyed old fashioned water fun and a wonderful meal at Uncle Ray and Aunt Mary's.

So, the Sparks girls had a great time in Kentucky and we thank Memama and Grandaddy and Aunt Kendra for being brave enough to take them and giving Travis and I a much needed week-end together.

Happy 4th of July

We hope everyone is having a great day to celebrate the 4th of July!

Have a great LONGGGG week-end!

Happy Birthday!

I have been blessed with two wonderful Dads and in turn my kids have been blessed with three grandfathers, and today is both of their birthday's (Travis has always thought that was funny).

So...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Grandaddy and Popeye!

We love you both!

Popsicle Praise

We finished up Vacation Bible School last night at church. We had a great week-end, but I am glad to have some down time.

After the Thornley Girls visited with us a few weeks ago, Travis and I decided that for a Family Mission Project for the summer we would send a care package to Andy. When I asked Leigh about it, she told me a few thing and then told me of a great need for phone cards for Andy to give out to solders who come into his office who are down and need to call home. So, I talked with some folks at church and during VBS this week all the money that was given was to be used to buy phone cards to send with the care package. We called it Operation Popsicle, because one of the things Andy is doing to taking Popsicles to the men and women out in the desert while sharing the love and salvation of Christ with them.

A little phrase that Andy and Leigh taught us to use in VBS is Bible, Buddy and Buck; each child was asked to bring their Bible, a Buddy, and a Buck (or any money) to VBS each night. We set a goal of $200 for the week and promised the kids they each would get a Popsicle at the end of week if we met our goal. Praise the Lord - our goal was met and we went over it by about $100! They kids gave around $300,which will get between 50 - 60 and phone cards to send to him. I cry as I type this at what he Lord has done and will do and how wonderful a church He has given us to get behind a ministry that they just learned about through us.

So today instead of Friday Family Funny - I am Prasin' The Lord for Popsicles!

Here are my three silly kids as they enjoy their Popsicles.

Camping With Mammy and Popeye

The kids and I returned yesterday from a fun camping trip with Mammy and Popeye as Daddy returned from a training sessions in California.

When I get done sorting through the pictures, unpacking and washing I hope to share more pictures with you.

Have a great day!

Friday Family Funnies - Bull Ridin'

Here is Daddy and his Bull Ridin' - he didn't make quite 8 Seconds!

I Love you anyway, honey!

Last night was Upward Family Fun Night and we had a very good time. This was the first year that the girls have been old enough to let them just run and and play and us not have to stay right with them, so because of that Travis and I actually got to have a few conversations with other adults. So all you Upward Mommy's and Daddy's you will get to have "fun" one day too!

A really neat thing and my favorite part that we had last night was "Caz's Candy Bar". All the kids (and adults) were given a bucket and were able to fill it up will all kinds of candy. You just might see this idea again in December...

At one point last night I looked around and all the adults had one of these suckers - I guess it was a blast from our past!

One of the kids favorite parts last night was the face painting - as you can see this is not the normal balloons and hearts face painting - this is art.

We were glad to have Grammy and Big Daddy join us for the fun last night and be with Samuel on his birthday.

Come back Friday for our Friday Family Funny to see Daddy's bull ride!

Have a great day!