Practice makes perfect...

Well, I haven't come close to perfection yet, but I have been practicing my photography skills. Right now, I mostly want to improve on nailing my focus. Allie Ruth was all excited about me taking her pictures until we actually started taking the pictures! Then she was really not that into it and didn't cooperate that well. Oh well, we will keep practicing! I guess I should throw the ice cream bribe at her too!

These photos would be ok if she wasn't going through a weird smile phase!

Some things we have been good at lately are:

Rooting on our Rebels!

Playing together!

Walking over to the park!

Being super silly in the tub!

And getting ready for fall!

Just for fun!

Landon was studying towns, cities, states, etc. in his first grade class. We don't live in the same little town that our school is in. It's quite a drive but well worth it. So one day he asked me "Where is the square?" I said "You know where it is, We have been there for a haircut, the army surplus store, ice cream and the post office." He still seemed to not really know why it was called the square. So since I love to take pictures and he will rarely let me take his, I told him I would show him all around the square if he would let me take his pictures there. I also wanted to practice using my camera in the RAW setting. He said "Yes, as long as you buy me ice cream!" 

 Landon said "We're done here!" Then I took my handsome, first grader to get his ice cream!

Also, just for fun, My friend Courtney did an edit on these for me! Check her out, she's awesome!

Fun at the Fair!

This year we could not surprise Landon and Allie Ruth with a trip to the fair. They had already seen the commercials on TV and heard them on the radio. They  were both very excited and talked about going to the Delta Fair at least once a day. We did decide this year to check out of school early so we would not be getting home so late on a school night! Leaving school early was exciting. 

This was the first ride we got on. A little boring if you can't tell by Landon's face. Rue was just happy to be there!

We rode the ferris wheel next. Landon liked it, Allie Ruth did not. She was very worried and did not let go of me. She sat very close and bent down while hanging on to my arm. I can't say that I blame her. I don't really like rides that just stop way up in the air. I couldn't even enjoy the view!

Notice that huge black cloud in the picture on the right?!

A ride a little more Landon's speed!

 Both kids enjoyed this ride and were really cute to watch! When it would whip around a turn, they would just laugh and laugh!

I loved the swings! They went up really high. I don't think Landon opened his eyes!

Landon enjoyed these swings much more!

We had so much fun and it was getting close to time to go home... We barely made it to the car before that big black cloud dumped rain, thunder and lighting! 

See you next year Fair!

Labor Day 2012

We spent the long weekend at the TN river and had a little taste of summer break again. The days were filled with relaxation on the boat, fun on the tube and great memories with friends. 

Mimmie even made it up to help celebrate Kelly's 36th birthday!

This rainbow represents just how truly blessed we are!

Summer weather is slowing coming to a close and Fall fun is just around the corner!

Back to school

As much as we hated to say good bye to summer, the kids were excited to get back to school!

New clothes, new shoes, new backpacks!

Who is ready for 1st grade?

Who cried all the way to school because she wanted to be in 1st grade?

Its gonna be a great school year!

Allie Ruth's first hair cut!

This was Allie Ruth's first official haircut. I have trimmed her hair two times at home but that was more than a year ago. I was nervous about how she would do, but she did great! I told her we were going to the beauty parlor to get our hair pretty! 

Here it goes, snip snip! 

She was so proud!

Off to Locks of Love!

River Rats

We also spent the month of July at our home away from home! We did more of the same fun stuff, like swimming in the river and going out on the boat. 

We also took two trips to Nashville. The first one the whole family went and we had a great time at the mall. The second trip was just me and the kids. We went to the science adventure center and had a great time!

Sometimes we would just lounge on the deck and act silly!

Or we would go to the park!

Landon took swim lessons at the community center. I am so proud of all he learned. Even though Allie Ruth was not old enough to take them too, she sat and watched patiently during every lesson. 

Later, the kids would practice what they learned in the water. Both kids have turned into great swimmers!

Allie Ruth is so eager to try anything the big kids are doing!

All good things must come to an end!