DAYS GO BY: Friends, Strawberries and Fathers

FRIENDS DAYS!

One of the things I love about warm, summer days would be the visits of our neighborhood friends! Little Ella came over with her sister. She and Alyssa were so darling together.

Riley and Austin

Ella and Alyssa, sharing!

You can see Taylor, Riley and Maurie working in our yard pulling weeks. I paid each of them a dollar for a garbage sack full of weeds. My kids worked like crazy so they would have money to buy cotton candy at the carnival in the evening.

Jaxson, exhausted from the weed pulling!

STRAWBERRY DAYS!

We met us with Cheri, Steve and Hope at the carnival. The rides were expensive, but the kids just LOVED them!

Cheri and Steve

Our cute Taylor!

Dave took Alyssa on the Ferris Wheel. She loved it! Don't they look like they are having a great time?

Hope and Austin!

Here are Dana and Landon. We met up with Dana and Yolanda at the carnival. They are always so much fun!

Here's.......JAX!

The kids loved the little roller coaster

COTTON CANDY!

The kids finally got their cotton candy. Four dollars a bag! Crazy!

The final ride: Here is the ride that the kids had to go on twice!

Look at how the ride whipped the kids over to the side of the chair!

Another great shot!

A STOP AT THE FIRE STATION

On our way to the car, we stopped at the Fire Station. One of the firemen gave us a tour. Our children loved the experience and we learned a lot. Here are some of our favorite pictures:

Learning about fires.......

Taylor got to sit in the million dollar fire truck!

Cutie Pie, HOPE!

Listening, Learning, Dreaming

Hope is so sweet with Alyssa. She helped me so much and the kids love her so much too.

AUSTIN
At the end of the tour, the kids go to try on the gear.
I love how Austin is looking up in adoration.

Jaxson
He was so cute in the gear. Kind of gave a crazy look at the end, but too cute!

TAYLOR

Here's our girl! She always has the greatest smile!

FATHER'S DAY 2010

We met over at the Johnston's home for brunch at 10am before church at 11. Jen made a delicious breakfast for us: waffles with strawberry and whipped cream, sausage, bacon, juice & chocolate milk. Yolanda brought deviled eggs, I brought apple & walnut stuffed pancakes and Merideth donated homemade syrup (to die for).

GREATEST DAD!
I love this picture of Dave wearing his crown

I have to also insert here how grateful I am for this amazing father. Dave really loves his children. I'm so thankful that we found each other and for the family we have created together.

Steve and Dana

Steve, Dana, Dave and Nate
Wonderful friends and fathers

This picture cracks me up. Steve is welcoming everybody to the first and last annual Father's Day brunch (since Steve and Jen are moving). We have spent our last several years of Father's Day with them. It is crushing to have them leave.

Part of our breakfast spread....

Alyssa and Ella, communicating before their dining experience!

Cute, Cute, Cute!

Breakfast Fun

Later in the evening, after church and naps, we went over to Dave's sister's home for a Father's Day BBQ. Here is a picture of Poppie with our children.

Austin and Grandma getting Hope to come for pictures!
Come on, HOPE!

Poppie, Grandma and their grandkids
(minus Hope for the moment)

The Dave Lindsay Family

Cheri, Steve and Hope

The kids enjoyed jumping on the trampoline.

Hope was sweet to take walks with Alyssa around the yard

Alyssa and Aunt Cheri

One more picture with POPPIE on Father's Day!

Cousin Jeffrey doing tricks on the trampoline-

UP.......

Twist!

And fall......!

Austin and Carson

Let me end by expressing my love to my own dad on Father's Day! Thanks for a lifetime of example and counsel. Thanks for encouraging me to live the best life for myself and for my little family.
Happy Father's Day!
XOXO Jody