End of Summer Camping Trip

I thought it was pretty funny that the kids' summer break began and ended with a camping trip to North Beach in St. Augustine. We really enjoy that campground because it has the beach across the street, pool and the intercoastal (which is great for fishing, boating and best of all hunting for crabs!)

Building a sand house for all the crabs they caught

Charles water-skiing behind a friends boat. We went out on the boat in the morning & saw a few dolphins. The kids were so excited.

Fun at the park right by the downtown area




The kids enjoyed watching a magic show in a shop downtown


Fun at the beach. They love to boogie board!


Charles taking the kayak out with Olivia

Fort Wilderness camping

We took a weekend camping trip with the Ocala Jeep Club to Disney's Fort Wilderness campground. Its always a favorite place for the kids and this was Charlie's first time visiting any Disney location. Our first stop after setting up camp was to Downtown Disney where the kids went on the carousel, train and then ate dinner at the T-Rex Cafe. After dinner we came back to the campsite for Chip and Dales campfire sing along, s'mores, and then fireworks over the lake. (This was the first time the kids watched the fireworks at the campground because they go off so late, about 10 pm. It was hard for Olivia to stay awake but she did and it was a great show!) We spent Saturday in the pool, riding the monorail, lots of bike riding and then a big dinner with the other jeep club members. Was a quick but fun trip!

Carousel fun

      

Playing in the Disney toy store

Had to take a picture of this, so sweet. I notice them holding hands often when we are in large crowds. They are best buds. Cameron is sure going to miss Charlie when he returns to his family

T-Rex Cafe

Digging for fossils outside the cafe

Train ride

Sing-along and movie time

Olivia was starting to get sleepy while watching the movie

Lighted boat parade before the fireworks

Always fun to swim in the pool. We try to go early in the morning before the pool gets crowded

The slide is always a hit!

Boat ride to the monorail

Getting ready for the big dinner

The kids were so excited to get their pictures taken with Chip (or Dale, who really knows???)

Had to post this cute picture of Rocky sleeping with Olivia. This was Rocky's first camping trip with us. I brought his cage for him to sleep in but he was whining so I put him in bed with Olivia & I. Needless to say I didn't get much sleep.

First Day of School

Charlie is in 4th grade at Saddlewood Elementary. He rides the bus which picks him up & drops him off at our community clubhouse. He was a little nervous for his first day at a new school but did great. I met his teacher at Orientation day and she seems to be really nice so I'm excited for him.

 

Olivia started VPK (pre-kindergarten) at a little preschool, Grace Episcopal, which is very conveniently located across from Cameron's school. They both have the same drop off time. Olivia was very excited to start at her new school.

Cameron started 2 days later than Charlie and Olivia



Olivia and her friend Rebekah


Cameron's first day of 1st grade. He did really well getting ready in the morning & just when I thought we were going to have no tears he started crying right when I pulled into the parking lot. He was trying so hard not to cry, I felt so bad for him. Look at that face!

His kindergarten and 1st grade teachers giving him a pep talk.

Morning assembly

A little happier the next day :)

Trip to Indiana

       

Olivia and I took a girls trip to Indiana to visit my sister Becky and her family. Olivia was so excited to see Becky and especially Grace. It was such a special time with my sister and our girls :)

 

 

On the plane ride. As you can tell Olivia was thrilled!

       

 

Olivia brought one of her Elsa shirts for Grace to wear & couldn't wait for her to put it on

Lots of plan time together :)

 

Visiting Ryan at the mall. Olivia loved sitting in the foot part of the stroller. We did plenty of shopping while I was there :)

 

There was a fun bounce house place in the mall which I took Olivia to a few times. She had a blast & it was especially nice because there really wasn't anyone else there.

Becky made one of my favorite meals, chicken bryan from Carraba's. She did such a great job with it that I had to take a picture of it! (It tasted even better than it looked!)

Becky bought the girls matching shirts & I had to take this sweet picture of Olivia reading to Grace. Olivia kept saying "Grace is so cute!" She was definitely in heaven having all that play time with Grace.

Beautiful, sweet girls. I hope they always have a special relationship

Playing at the playground on the campus of Notre Dame. They live right around the corner from the university which I think is so neat!

Becky and I had to laugh at that belly!

Becky and Ryan's neighbor had a birthday party for one of their daughters and were kind enough to let Olivia attend.

 

On Saturday we spent the day at Silver Beach in St. Joseph, MI.  The water was super cold at absolutely PACKED with people. A lot different than the beaches in Florida, lol.  But they had a cool old carousel and a big nice splash pad. Olivia rode the carousel about 5 times, lol! It was a fun day! 

The splash pad had huge cannons that shot out water every few minutes. It was a little much for the smaller kids but super neat!

Olivia loved chasing after Grace :)

Playground fun at the beach.

This was Grace's first carousel ride. She looked a little nervous at first but then seemed to like it.

This happened while I was gone.....Cameron lost his FIRST tooth! But he was so sweet to wait until I got home before he put it under his pillow. 

And then when we got home we picked up our new puppy, Rocky, who is a mini dachshund. Olivia had been dying for a small puppy for awhile (and of course I wanted one too!) so we finally decided to get one from a friend whose dog had a litter. Olivia was over the moon excited and loved telling everyone that he wouldn't "grow bigger" and that she would always be able to pick him up. He will only get to be about 10 or 12 pounds. He sure is a cutie!