Busch Gardens

Kylie is going to Illinois for a few weeks so we decided to have a sleepover at our house with Haylee and go to Busch Gardens. We originally were going to have them spend the night on Friday too and go to Busch Gardens on Saturday but the weather wasn't cooperating so we moved it to Sunday.

When we woke up on Sunday the weather wasn't looking too hot. It was sprinkling but Williamsburg showed it was suppose to be clear by noon so we decided to go ahead with our plans.

We hit some traffic on 64 so it took a little longer to get there than it normally does.

we have finally arrived

We hit Italy first so the girls could ride some rides and Jeff wanted to ride Apollo's Chariot. On the way to Italy, we passed Escape from Pompeii. Kylie loves that ride so Jeff and her rode it while Haylee and I went to get her some sunglasses. Mommy forgot to pack her some sunglasses or a hat and she needed some.

After Italy we went to Oktoberfest, the girls wanted to ride the big swings and it was getting close to lunch. While the girls were suppose to ride the big swings, Jeff went on the Verbolten. The Verbolten is a pretty new ride and it's always packed. Unfortunately, the girls were turned away on the big swings, they needed an adult to go with them. Kylie wasn't happy about that. Haylee went and rode the little swings while we waited for Jeff. After Jeff got back we all went on the big swings. Both Jeff and I don't like the swings as it makes us feel sick to our stomach, the swings go up and down. This time though we didn't do too bad since we hadn't eaten.

After the swings we went and had lunch at Das Festhaus and watched the show, Entwined. Jeff lost his hat on Verbolten so we had to get him a new hat after lunch. We then went to Land of the Dragons in Germany so the girls could play for a while.

Then we decided to take the tram over to Sesame Street Forest of Fun instead of walking. It's normally a pain to break down the strollers when we have all the kids so we don't usually ride the tram or train. Before we rode the tram though it was time for an ice cream break.

The girls rode the roller coaster in Sesame Street before they decided to play in the water. I thought the water might be a little cool since it had been raining yesterday and that morning but the girls said no it was fine.

They ended up not playing long in the water. By now it was close to 5:00 and we decided to ride the train since we didn't have any strollers. The train would be our last ride of the day. While on the train we saw some deer.

Kylie was about ready to fall asleep on the train. It was so nice and relaxing. Since the train depot is in Scotland we decided to stop by and pet the Clydesdale in Scotland.

On the way out the gate we stopped for drinks and a little snack for the road.

We had a nice day visiting the park.

Happy Father's Day!

Being a wonderful Father doesn't just happen...

It takes a heart filled with love and patience,

and a special kind of understanding 

to help, hope, and inspire...

Happy Father's Day 

to a wonderful man and a great dad.

Happy Anniversary!

Wishing you a world of happiness 

and a rainbow of blessings!

Happy 10th Anniversary, Kimberly and Jacob!

Papa and Nana Babysit

Mom and Dad offered to babysit Noah and Jackson while Nicole, Dave and Haylee go to Disney World. Originally, they were going to take the twins with them but when Mom and Dad offered they accepted.

They arrived on Tuesday, the 27th, so they could spend Wednesday with the boys and learn their schedule before Nicole's left on Thursday. I went over to Nicole's on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday to help out but they really didn't need any help. They were doing a great job watching them.

On Friday, Nicole texted me these pictures after Haylee went to Bibbidi Bobbidi Bontique at Disney World where she was transformed into a princess. When they got back to the hotel Nicole gave her the Elsa dress and she loved it. When they went to Epcot for the princess dinner she received several comments about her dress and how much they liked it. Also, some people even called her Queen Elsa and she loved it. I'm so glad the dress fit and she liked it.

On Saturday we went to see Kylie play her last soccer game. She did great this year and seem to really enjoy playing.

On Sunday, Mom wanted to go to Cracker Barrel for dinner. She invited Kimberly to join us.

Nicole, Dave and Haylee arrived back home on Monday night. They had a great time and Haylee was talking about it for days. She actually rode a couple rides that she didn't want to ride when we went two years ago.

Kylie wanted Nana and Papa to eat lunch with her so on Wednesday they joined her for lunch.

I took off of work on Thursday and Friday so I could spend some time with Mom and Dad on this visit. Last time they were here I didn't have any vacation because of the twins birth so I wasn't able to take off. We spent the days shopping and going to the antique mall.

On Saturday, and their last day with us, us girls wanted to go to the outlets. So Kimberly, Nicole, Haylee and the boys headed up to Williamsburg as well as Mom and I to do some shopping. Mom and I arrived early in Williamsburg so we decided to check out the new Pottery Factory. All we could say was wow. What a big change.

We didn't have to time visit all the buildings because it was time to meet the girls for lunch at Red Lobster.

Mom and I ended up not getting anything. We were looking for a purse and neither one of us could find what we were looking for. Of course, I ended up buying clothes for the grandkids. I can never go there and not get them something.

It was sad seeing Mom and Dad off on Sunday. We had a nice, long visit this time and they did an awesome job taking care of the twins while Nicole's were in Disney World.

Memorial Day

This day is dedicated to the men and women 

who died while serving in the 

United States Armed Forces.

Thank you for all that you have done 

for our country.

You will always be remembers.

Pungo Strawberry Festival

Every year we attend the Strawberry Festival in Pungo. We normally go on Sunday so we can hear Kimberly's friend, Kerri, sing but this year the girls had a birthday party to go to so we went on Saturday instead. We picked up Haylee on our way since Nicole didn't want to go. She was trying to finish up packing and cleaning for their Disney trip.

We wanted to get there early enough to watch the parade. We normally miss this as the parade is on Saturday and not Sunday.

After the parade the kids were ready to ride some rides.

Then we were ready to see some animals and ride the ponies. The 4H doesn't have as many animals as they use to. They had some baby ducks, chickens, cow, goats and a pony.

Now time for lunch. We were starving.

I'm not sure if we will be attending next year or not. It has gotten so expensive. With paying for parking, ride tickets, pony rides and food we easily spent $100 and we could have spent more but I ran out of cash. Jeff and I have decided that Busch Gardens would have been better. Yes, we still would have to pay for food but the parking and rides would have been free since we have a Pass Membership.

Homemade Cookbook

What do you do with all those Pinterest recipes that you printed out, tried and liked? You make your own cookbook. What else?

I bought a pretty notebook, a couple packs of tab dividers and sheet protectors from Wal-Mart.

I then pulled one of my cookbooks so I could figure out what I wanted for the tab dividers. Then I created those on the computer and printed them out.

Then I took all those printed out recipes, pages I ripped from magazines and newspapers and punched holes in them so I can put them in the notebook. I had several newspaper recipes that were too small to punch holes in them so I put them in the sheet protectors instead. I put the recipes in alphabetical order within each tab.

Now all those recipes from Pinterest, blogs, magazines and newspapers finally have a home.