Charlie's half birthday

Charles & I thought it would be fun to have a half birthday party for Charlie. His birthday is in January & since we don't think he will still be with us then (and he's never really had a party before) we decided to celebrate his half birthday. We invited a few friends over (with children his age) along with my parents & grandma. We really had a nice time & he said it was the best birthday he ever had :)

Jurassic World decorations

Cake made by me, dinosaur by Charles :)

The party crew 

Lots of nice gifts!

4th of July

The morning of the 4th Charles & I took the kids out for a bike ride on the Santos trails where we did 5 miles! This was our second time doing that many miles & I am still so impressed that the kids can go that far.

That evening we had a fun little party with some of our friends. Everyone brought a side dish and I provided the meat & ordered a festive cake :) All the kids had a blast watching Charles set off some fireworks and everyone left just in time for us to drive downtown to watch the big fireworks. We had a fun day!

June Cabin trip

We took our annual June cabin trip over Father's Day weekend and had our good friends the Ayton family join us. We took a fun tubing trip down the Toccoa River and then hiked a short ways to a waterfall. We also took the kids gem mining (which we had never done before) and the kids enjoyed that. While we were gem mining Charles, Bob Ayton and the Aytons oldest son Tanner went to go kayak down the Nantahahla river but didn't get too far before that kayak got a leak & started filling with water! Poor Charles was disappointed he didn't make it all the way down. We also spent a couple of days at Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee GA. A fun trip especially having our friends there!

Such a beautiful view at the lake!

These kids all had a ball spending time together!

Playing in the waterfall

Dairy Queen treat

Charles, Bob & Tanner getting ready to go

Gem mining fun!

BB gun shooting, we have a target set up in the woods

Cameron School pictures

Just a few pictures from Cameron's school, Ambleside. Such a wonderful, Christian school and we are so thankful to be a part of it!

Charles helping Cameron during parent observation day

Cameron and his good friend Trey

Welcome Charlie

Last year Charles & I made the decision to become foster parents because we both strongly believe how important is it that children have a loving family. It was something that I've always felt God calling me to do & I am very thankful to have a husband who feels as passionate about it as I do. After 4 months of training & classes we were finally licensed foster parents in May and got the call about Charlie 4 days after we were approved. Charlie is 9 and comes from a family with 5 children (all the siblings are in different homes.) He really enjoys playing with Cameron & Olivia and so far seems to be doing really well with us.

His award at his school assembly 

Hanging out in Charlie's room (I redecorated our guest room to be more kid friendly.)

We taught him how to ride a bike. He's getting really good at riding!

Sometimes they love each other, lol!

End of School- Olivia

Olivia got her hair trimmed & curled for her preschool end of year program. She was a kitten in the nursery rhyme 3 little kittens.

Such a cute little kitten!

All the kittens 

All the children were dressed up as different nursery rhyme characters 

Aunt Linda & Mimi came to see her program 

Last day of school party

Love Mrs. Keri & Mrs.Tasheena! 

Ready for VPK next year! Love her so much!

Silly girl!