Independence Day

Built a hoop house to keep the pesky deer out of our garden.

 Finally put a flag up and sang the National Anthem.

 Ate a delicious picnic dinner and played a family game of football.

 Finished the night up with family fireworks.

Great to Be 8

Bug turned EIGHT last week!  

(Showing off his new Birthday clothes.)

He picked the menu for each meal. Breakfast- Sausage biscuits with OJ.

Lunch- Deli sandwiches with Doritos.

Dinner- Barbeque sandwiches with green beans and okra.

(Anyone following the meat on bread theme?) :)

 Electronic Playground from his engineer Grandfather (Poppi).

 Sticky-ball from Bear.

 Other gifts: NCAA football cards with sleeve pages, athletic clothes, socks, and shoes, Elon Hat, Ticket to Ride game, and Cub Scout Uniform.

 Obsessed with football!

 Ready for a family football game.

Hiking

Bug is more than a bit excited to start Cub Scouts this week.  The day after he turned 8 he completed all of his Bobcat requirements.   He was very anxious to move onto his Wolf requirements,  so we worked on his "Paws on the Path", certification by hiking 2 miles.  It was just the kids and I, so I was nervous how Belle would do, but everyone did great! 

Blueberry Deliveries

We picked almost five gallons of bluberries from our bushes one morning last week so we delivered some to our local police, firemen, and rescue squad.

50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration and Family Reunion

Family Reunion

My side of the family gathered at Lake Gaston last week to celebrate my parent's 50th wedding anniversary.

My parents and I with four of my siblings, visiting from Virginia, Illinois, North Carolina and Washington.

My parents with 11 of their 16 grandchildren.

 My oldest brother with 2 of his 3 kids.

 My oldest sister and her husband. (Her two grown children live in Idaho and Utah.)

 My middle sister and her 3 kids.

My sister just older than me with her family.

Our family's attempt at a picture....