Summer Part 6---4th of July in the South

We went to Dave and Cathy's in downtown Woodstock for the 4th. They live a stone's throw from downtown where there is a parade every 4th of July...naturally, we went 'cause I love a parade! Below are some photos that I took that perfectly sum up the parade. Think "conservative"...

50% of the floats (i.e., cars) were driving by large stuffed animals...

The girls watching the show...

The vehicle above belongs to the Sheriff's Dept....

Sarah Palin made an appearance...

A three year old (???) was driving this car....

The ponies were super cute....

Summer, Part 7

One of the girl's cupcake creations....

This photo above captures the essence of Ellie for this summer...

and this photo perfectly captures Quincy....

....while this photo perfectly captures how the girls never want to be more than two feet away from each other at anytime during the day (or night!)...life is good....

Destin, Part 4

Last week our family, along with two other families, traveled to Florida for a great week of R & R. The other two families, the Kirkendall's and the Schroeder's, we met during our first adoption journey to China close to three years ago. We vowed way back then that we would get together once a year and so far we have kept that promise (except last year since we were back in China!). These families share a wonderful history with us, but we have soo much more in common than just that HUGE bond. We are all so similar in so many ways and we really just have a great time whenever we see each other.....I wished we lived closer to each other! But since we don't it's a good thing we have unlimited minutes on our cell phone plans....

During the week I took over 1500 photos and I am just plain stumped on how to describe each one...so I won't. Just know that a wonderful time was had by ALL....We all felt very safe swimming under the protection of the lifeguards. The moms with the little ones....
Us....
The Kirkendall's....
The Schroeder clan (there's a lot of them!).

Destin, Part 3

Trying to capture the required sunset beach photos was comically hard to do with a bunch of toddlers...they just do not like to smile on cue. But occasionally I caught an impromptu smile on Quincy when she thought no one was looking...

Destin, Part 2

Ellie The Fearless learned a new trick...

Kali.....

Lucy and Kali....

Destin, Part 1

This was Ellie and Quincy's first time to the beach....

And we're off...to the beach.....

BBK and Jules...I have been super bad about posting photos of the girls, but you will see them in person in three short days...can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Julie, .....

Here is Quincy having a conversation with air (although she thinks she is having a conversation with her teacher, Miss Misty, about another teacher, Ms. Trameka).

....midway through her one-sided conversation she spotted a bird(y) on the bird-feeder and that was the end of that conversation. Kids are soooo blasted cute!

Ellie's Birthday Cake

Ellie is currently in a bumble bee phase: She was a bumble bee for Halloween this year, she wants to BE a bumble bee when she grows up (???), and she wanted a bumble bee cake for her 4th birthday. Well, here it is......and, yes, I made it.....and it took about three hours. But it was well worth it...she loved, loved, loved it!