4th of July in Ripley, WV

We went to Ripley for the 4th of July and stayed at Paw Paw Arthur's house.

The kids loved running around in his yard as soon as we got there.

Abigail and Paw Paw Arthur

Abigail and her second cousin, Mylieh

Jonathan and Mylieh

They had a ball running around in Maw Maw Freeda's backyard.

Abigail giving her other second cousin, Kashyn, BIG hugs!

Rachel and Jonathan eating watermelon

Abigail and Maw Maw Freeda at the parade

Rachel, Maw Maw Freeda, and Abigail

Jonathan had such a good time at the parade.

Maw Maw Ruby bought Abigail and Rachel matching outfits.

Jonathan and Rachel

Taking a break...  waiting for more candy.

After the parade, we had a cookout at Paw Paw Arthur's house.  The kids played on this red ride-on toy for hours...  going up and down the hill!

Jonathan LOVED it!  As soon as he woke up each morning, he wanted to go outside and ride on it.

That night, we went to the carnival and the kids rode rides.

Abigail and Mylieh on the merry-go-round.

After the carnival, we went to the cemetery on the top of the hill to watch fireworks.

I could not see what I was taking pictures of and the flash was so bright, they had to close their eyes.

The next day, we went to the arts and crafts fair and the kids got to make their own rope bracelets.

Here's Jonathan making his...

Abigail remembered making kites last year, so we had to do that!

There was a breeze blowing that day, so they were able to fly them too.

There was also a petting zoo.  Jonathan and Miss Teri are feeding the baby horse.

Abigail was surprisingly scared of the animals.  Here is a picture of her feeding a baby goat through the fence.

Jonathan and Paw Paw Donnie sitting on the back porch.

Daddy took Abigail for a ride on Paw Paw Arthur's four-wheeler.

Of course, Jonathan had to go too.  It was his first time and he LOVED it!  He wanted to "go AGAIN!"  =)

Abigail saying good-bye to Maw Maw Violet and Paw Paw Arthur.

Jonathan didn't want to give hugs and kisses or get his picture taken.  He wanted to get down and play.  He didn't want to leave.

More garden pictures

Swimming lessons

The kids did wonderful on their first day of swimming lessons.  Miss Amy was really good with them.

Alabama Vacation

We met Uncle Donnie Ray, Aunt Amy, Luke, and Rachel in Gulf  Shores, AL.  The kids were very excited to see their family!

Jonathan and Luke

Giving Aunt Amy hugs

Jonathan LOVED the beach and ocean.  He scared me a couple of times though, because he wasn't scared at all!

Rachel and Jonathan having fun at the beach!

He loved sitting on the edge and letting the water come up on his legs.

Abigail, Luke's friend, Alex, Luke, Jonathan, and Rachel

Building sand castles with Luke

Jonathan got buried!

Making funny faces

Taking a break.  She preferred the pool to the beach.

Jonathan wanted Rachel to carry him around the entire time.  =)

Maw Maw and Paw Paw with all of their grandkids.

We went to Lambert's for dinner where they throw rolls at you.  The kids thought that was so funny.

Abigail and Luke

Abigail and Uncle Donnie Ray being silly

After dinner we went to race go-carts.  Jonathan was tall enough to ride with Daddy.

 Abigail enjoyed riding with Aunt Amy.

Then Abigail got to ride a go-cart by herself.  She was so excited!

The next night we celebrated Luke's 14th birthday with yummy cake and ice cream.

I love this picture of them!  They were looking at dolphins in the water.  We saw tons of them, but weren't able to get a picture.

Jonathan and Daddy went to an airplane museum one day.

While Abigail and Mommy went to Build A Bear and got ice cream!

Abigail really wanted to play putt-putt, so the last night we made sure to go.

Jonathan wanted to play too.  He did okay for awhile until he started trying to climb rocks, get in the water, etc.  I should have known better than to take him.  He ended up having to sit in the car with Mommy.  When we were walking out to the parking lot he said "I didn't listen to you at the putt-putt place.  That's why we have to go sit in the car.  I was just looking at the beautiful things."  =)

Planting the garden

 "Let's do this!"  He even brought his watering can.

Looking for what we want to get...

We found everything we needed.  =)

First, they had to dig up an old bush that was in the way.

Then, they had to spread the fertilizer.

Then, Paw Paw had to till the area for the garden.  (Notice Jonathan on the porch watching his every move!)

Next, Abigail helped him rake it out.

Here come the plants!

Abigail enjoyed helping make the holes.

 Jonathan wanted to help too!

Abigail planted cucumbers and tomatoes.

Jonathan planted watermelons.

Then, it was time to water what they planted.

Thanks Paw Paw Armstrong and Aunt Hillary!  =)