Summer Fun: Wilson's Wild Animal Park

This July we went to a local wild animal park. It is literally 10 minutes from my house, but I just found out about it a year ago. We met some friends there and spent a few hours. It was a lot of fun for the kids.

Did y'll know we have a lion in Winchester??? I'm not too fond of the idea!

This camel LOVED Isaac and kept trying to lick him. He thought it was pretty funny!

Justin kept calling this a "green sea turtle", so we'll just let him believe that's what it is!

There were a few tractors for the kids to play on, one of Justin's favorite things!

There are also bears, but because they live in the wild here, I'd much rather see them behind a fence!

Fallow deer

The kids also got to feed the very friendly goats.

Summer Fun: Greenbrier State Park

Although we didn't go on a big trip this summer, we did do several fun things that I have neglected to blog about. Now that all the kids are in school, I'm catching up on recording all of our fun summer activities.

In July we took a trip to Greenbrier State park in Maryland. They have a great beach area for the kids to swim and play in. We took a picnic lunch and spent most of the day there having tons of fun!

Isaac's First T-Ball Game

Last Thursday was Isaac's first T-Ball game. He's never participated in organized sports before, so he was really excited to start T-ball this summer. Unfortunately, two of the five practices were cancelled due to rain (we had a VERY rainy June), so the team wasn't really prepared. But then again, the kids are 5 and probably wouldn't have known what they were doing anyway!

The game was supposed to start at 7:30 pm (a horrible time!!) but the game before us wasn't done until 7:45! That doesn't make for a happy 3-year-old!

Isaac waiting for the game to start.

Justin wanted to join in too!

Isaac running from second to third base.

We've discovered that baseball is kind of boring for little kids! Isaac had a really hard time concentrating when he was out on the field. This is a picture of him twirling around and generally goofing off! He was pretty funny to watch. When he was running the bases, he would sit down and I would have to call to him to stand up and pay attention.

Of course, no one keeps score. All of the kids get a chance at bat, so everyone had a great time!

Justin's Yearly pictures

Here are just a few of the pictures my friend Michelle took. He's pretty cute even if he is a rascal!

The Third Battle of Winchester

Thursday evening, for Family Night, we decided to take the kids to the bike trails at the Third Battle of Winchester. It was the perfect evening, about 75 degrees (in July!!) and breezy. We had a lot of fun and did the approx. 4 miles in about an hour. It was quite different for the kids to ride on gravel instead of asphalt, but they did really well. Justin, of course, got to ride in luxury in the bike trailer and even got a short nap. Entrance to the bike trail.

Justin's ride on the back of my bike.


This was a really cool part of the trail where the trees make a canopy over the road. Sadie, of course, got scared because it was dark and a little creepy.
Justin enjoying himself on the ride.

It was a great activity to do together as a family!

Sadie's Dance recital 2009

On Saturday, Sadie performed in her dance recital for the Shenandoah Conservatory Arts Academy. This was her second year with the Arts Academy and we still love it, especially her teacher. She was able be in a class with her friends Molly and Olivia, and they had a great time. Wow, aren't the costumes beautiful!

Molly, Sadie and Olivia looking like real ballerinas!



Sadie after the recital.

Sadie's whole class after the dress rehearsal.

This is a video of the dress rehearsal. Of course, the performance was better, but they don't allow video recording during the real thing.

Mother's Day 2009

Mother's Day is one of my favorite days of the year. Mostly because my husband and kids do everything for me and I get to relax all alone in my room and nap or read after church. This morning I got chocolate cheesecake brought to me as my breakfast in bed. I had requested a cheesecake for Mother's Day and figured instead of a big real breakfast, I might as well apply the calories toward my favorite treat. Just for the record, I do not usually eat dessert for breakfast! Then I got my gifts (a spa treatment gift certificate and some books) and cards from the kids. Sadie wrote a Mother's Day song for me that I absolutely love! I'm not sure what the tune is, but here are the lyrics:

Happy Mother's Day to you,

Happy Mother's Day to you,

Happy Mother's Day, let's shout "hooray!"

Thanks for all you do.

Happy Mother's Day wishes,

Happy Mother's Day wishes,

Have happy wishes,

We'll wash your dishes as you shout "Hooray!"

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

I hope all you mothers have someone willing to do your dishes on Mother's Day. I'm sure glad I do!