Just for you Shelley :)

My friend Shelley posted on her blog a month ago about her mission to find a four leaf clover. I couldn't help but laugh at her post. Ask anyone, I have a knack for finding four leaf clovers. I use to find one a month usually while I was out in right field in softball or walking the ASAP kids from Ashburn Elm to the Sports Pavilion. I hadn't been looking in sometime. After reading Shelley's blog I decided I was overdue. Plus I wanted to see if I still had my talent. Let's just say "I still got it!" :) Found this one while I was walking around outside the corn maze waiting for Gammie and the kids to find their way out. I had to laugh at my dad. He pulled the one I gave him back in high school out of his wallet. I couldn't believe he still had it after all these years. I never keep any of them. I always give them away to family and friends. Shelley, this one is headed your way :) Enjoy!

Skyline Drive, Corn Maze & Pumpkins

Mom and I decided that it would be a nice weekend to drive Skyline. We ventured out after breakfast for a fun filled day. The views were breath taking. I wish I had taken my camera out a little more often but I was too busy enjoying the views.


A view from Skyline Drive

We got off of Skyline drive in Luray. I wanted to go down in the caverns but it was just too expensive and the wait was too long. Maybe another weekend when the kids are older and can appreciate the trip down into the caverns. On our way home we stumbled upon Valley Star Farm. This was the highlight of the trip for the kids and I. Farmer Dave was wonderful and made the trip very educational but fun for the kids. I wish this place was closer. It was by far the best farm I've been too in a long time.

Abigail & Alison in the pumpkins.

Abigail & Jacob petting Lola.

Picture of the Cow Corn Maze.

This was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. This cow was made to simulate cow milking. Gammie having raised and shown a dairy cow had to show the kids and I the proper technique to milking.

Jacob giving it a go :)

Abigail milking

Abigail, Jacob & Alison duck racing.

Great Country Farm

Fun was had by all at Great Country Farms. Harmony Preschool takes a field trip there every year. The kids are always so excited to go. The weather was awesome this year. The kids enjoyed the hayride to the pumpkin field, picking a pumpkin, feeding the animals, jumping on the pillow and sliding down the tunnel slide. The kids and I could have spent all day there. Unfortunately duty calls and I had to be back at the house by 1pm to feed the kids and pack our bags for the afternoon bus run.

Jacob & Alison on the "Sit & Scoot"


Alison on the Tunnel Slides



Alison & Jacob


Jacob showing off his pumpkin.

Jacob and his classmates.

Daddy, Jacob and Alison pumpkin hunting.

Jacob & Alison with their pumpkins.

Daddy & Jacob on the Hayride.

Swim Lessons Paying off!

Abigail & Jacob finally got swim lessons this year, thanks to Ms. Karen. It definitely made mommy a lot more comfortable at the pool. The kids are looking forward to another round of lessons next summer. Alison is super excited that she will be able to participate next summer.

Alison & Abby practicing in the tub.

Abby showing Grandpa what she can do.




Jacob enjoying his freedom.


Jacob, Daddy & Ali.

Alison & Daddy

Two Down One To Go :)

Leif bought a Harley this summer. About a month later he got a fixer upper Harley to work on so that he could learn more about them. To get Jacob interested he told him if he helped he could have it. Well, one day Jacob asked him when he could ride it. Leif thinking he was being slick told Jacob that he couldn't ride a motorcycle when he still needs training wheels on his bicycle. That very same day Jacob asked to take off his training wheels. He's been riding ever since. That's my "Skinner boy". Luckily he's been so interested in his bike that he's forgotten about riding the motorcycle, For now that is :) Abby of course didn't like her brother beating her at something so she came home the next day and started practicing. About a month later she had her training wheels off too. Leif and I didn't have to show them anything. They totally learned on their own. You go guys! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!

Abby with No Training Wheels


Jacob with No Training Wheels


Alison Still Enjoying her Trike :)

Ocean City, MD

It only only took us 8 years to go on a real vacation but it was definitely worth the wait. We headed to Ocean City, MD the 2nd to last week of August. The kids were so excited to spend the week with Gammie, Grandpa and Aunt Den Den. We headed out Sunday morning after Hurricane Bill hit OC. We left 2 days early because Hurricane Danny was due to hit OC Saturday. The joys of Hurricane season :) Neither Hurrcianes were too damaging but I wanted to leave OC on a happy note. We did lots while we were there and many firsts for the kids :) The kids favorite was Putt Putt (and mine too :) ) They were actually really good too. All three of them scored a hole-n-one. I had some really great photos of them playing but somehow they got deleted :( Here are a few of the beach photos.

A "Show Me Love" Photo



Alison playing in the sand.



Daddy & Mommy Enjoying the Sun.



Jacob watching the waves come in.

A Western Kind of Day

Kyler and Kaden came over today for a play date. It was way too hot today to play outside so we sent the kids down into the basement. They managed to play for 2 hours without getting into too much trouble. Cindy and I were pretty amazed. Abby and Jacob were happy to have someone who enjoyed dress up as much as they do. They created a western show for us moms. Seeing them put the act on reminded me so much of myself as a kid. We had some good laughs watching them. At one point Alison and her boyfriend Kaden had emptied out the cabinet and shut themselves in. It was like their own little version of 7 minutes in Heaven. We laughed it off now but in a couple of years it won't be so funny :) It was definitely a play date I'll always remember! Thanks guys!

Sheriff Kyler, Princess Abby, Horse Ali & Bad Boy Jacob


Sheriff Kyler & Princess Abby

Sheriff Kyler

Kyler & Abby Pole Dancing

Alison & Kaden playing doctor :)