Celebrating July 4th

Jimmy, the girls, and I went to Bellevue with friends to celebrate the 4th of July (a week early). It was a great set-up. The children could ride their scooters and play in the grassy area. The event offered some wonderful carnival food. At the end of the night, we saw some great fireworks. It was a wonderful time with family and friends!

Mary Kaitlyn riding her scooter.

Madelyn playing games

Josh and Mary Kaitlyn


Gracie and Madelyn

Madelyn and Gracie enjoy the firework show

Jimmy covers Mary Kaitlyn ears because she doesn't like the loud noises coming from the fireworks.

Madelyn at home with sparklers

Mary Kaitlyn cautiously holds her sparkler

Aladdin, Jr Production

Madelyn and Mary Kaitlyn attended theater camp in June. They went daily for 4 hours and put on a BIG show on Friday night. The play they rehearsed for was Aladdin, Jr. Madelyn got casted as Genie and Mary Kaitlyn got the part of a Cave Dweller. They had a blast at camp and did a great job in the production!

Mary Kaitlyn as a Cave Dweller


Madelyn as Genie (Her arm is bandaged due to a procedure and a bout with staph infection)

Tennessee Vacation

Buddy and Betty Jean with the grandkids.

Jimmy, the girls, and I went on vacation to Gatlinburg, TN. Jimmy's parents and his sister and her family went with us. Madelyn and Mary Kaitlyn had extra fun spending time with their cousins. We went to Dollywood, Splash Country, Ripley's Aquarium, and Dixie Stampede. Jimmy, Debbie, Lyle, Betty Jean, and I took in a show at Memories. We saw Kenny Chesney, Hank Williams, Jr, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis. It was a great show. Jimmy, Betty Jean, Madelyn, and Haley went to The Miracle Show. The show took the audience through Jesus' life.

The hot tub at the cabin was a HUGE hit with Madelyn, Haley, Mary Kaitlyn, and Brandon.

Our cabin


One of the views from our cabin


Brandon and Mary Kaitlyn enjoy breakfast on the balcony.

Haley, Mary Kaitlyn, Brandon, and Madelyn are getting ready to start their trip through the Ripley's Aquarium in Gatlinburg.

Madelyn and Mary Kaitlyn pose in front of one of the fish tanks.

Madelyn, Haley, Brandon, and Mary Kaitlyn in front of the fish tank where we saw a show.

Haley, Madelyn, Brandon, and Mary Kaitlyn with the "scuba man" after the show.

Madelyn and Mary Kaitlyn in front of the penguin exhibit

Mary Kaitlyn and Brandon watch the penguins through the glass floor.

Mary Kaitlyn, Madelyn, Haley, and Brandon outside the Dixie Stampede. They enjoyed looking at the horses used in the show.

Buddy, Mary Kaitlyn, Haley, and Madelyn before the Dixie Stampede show

Haley, Mary Kaitlyn, Brandon,and Madelyn pose by a creek.

Madelyn works shifting her dirt looking for gems at The Mine.

Mary Kaitlyn works hard looking for precious stones at The Mine.

Haley, Mary Kaitlyn, Brandon, and Madelyn enjoying sticking their feet into this creek.

The girls outside one of my favorite eating spots in Gatlinburg

We enjoyed our adventure of trying to find our way through this maze of mirrors.

Outside of Ripley's Believe or Not Museum

Swim Lessons

Below are a few pictures of Madelyn and Mary Kaitlyn's swim lessons.

Dance Recital

Below are some photos from Madelyn and Mary Kaitlyn's dance recital.

Spring Broadway Bound Show

Madelyn and Mary Kaitlyn got to share the stage for the spring Broadway Bound Production.

They sang Eighties music. (which Jimmy loved!) I had fun giving the girls "big hair" hairstyles.

Both girls did a great job on stage.

Madelyn and Mary Kaitlyn on stage after the show.

Madelyn, Haley, Mary Kaitlyn, and Brandon after the show.

Madelyn, Gracie, and Mary Kaitlyn

Our family photo after the show.