Off to see the family! Whoo-hoo!

My alarm went off at 4:20 this morning. After getting dressed and packing a few more things, I woke the babes and we were on the road.

We made one potty/gas stop about two hours in, then lunch about three hours afterward, and the Alabama Welcome Center was our last pit stop before making it safely to Pop & Nana's.

The kids have resdiscovered all the toys here, rode a ride-on toy down the hill, looked for a rabbit, seen what's left of Pop's garden, and I've gotten crafty.

Almost time for dinner and then to return a Redbox!

Snorkeling babes

Last week the kids wanted to use their money in a new toy. They needed new goggles and had been wanting dive sticks so we promised them a swim set we had seen while we were out shopping.
The set we saw was at Sam's on Saturday evening. So after church Sunday I took them to a different Sam's, and wouldn't you know they were sold out?! We came home, changed clothes and, with Dad this time, headed back to the location we KNEW they were in-stock.
They were pumped and ready to use them.
We were able to go to the pool twice this week, and a birthday party on Friday and they had so much fun!

I don't have my own set, but Dad was able to show them the proper technique this afternoon!

Laying low

We are enjoying a quiet day at home today.

Ella Grace joined Major at his friends' swim birthday party yesterday. About 45 min in she said she wasn't feeling well and wanted to change. She began complaining of a headache. We took her temp and it was just under 100.

I got her home and after a Popsicle she was fast asleep. So unlike her.

After a pretty sleepless night myself (she joined us in bed), we were able to get to the doctor this morning. Here we sit with strep. So glad she can still be around people and she will no longer be contagious after 36-hours.

Rest, my love!

Let's go to the Races!

Friday night Jeremy got news he had the opportunity to attend the Coke Zero 400, for the second year in a row! He went with a few guy he works with and left mid-afternoon. Once they arrived they received "Hot Passes" which gave them access to the pit/garage area before and during the race.

In field:

 Kyle Busch's car:

 The #48 headed to pre-race inspection

 Kyle Busch's car again

 Dale Jr

 Tony Stewart

 Pit Road

 Standing on the tri-oval

 Lowe's pit box - the far right chair is autographed by Rick Hendrick

 A view of Bobby Labonte's pit box (from the back)

 Lined up on pit road

 Jeremy said this was one of the most fun sporting events he has been too - and I think he has been to his share!

Another scorcher!

~ I tried to post this Saturday while we were out; just realized it never made it!

After all the rain we had Sunday 'til Wednesday, the heat is definitely finding its way back in. We've unpacked and put away all of our camping gear, hit the gym three times, the library twice, the pool twice and today, well, (so we keep up with the pace of the week) today is a beach day.

Ella Grace and Major have been reading unbelievable amounts this summer. The local library hosted a reading challenge: read each day for 20 days and get a free book. So we completed that already. Ella Grace's school is participating in the Scholastic Reading Challenge-so far she has read over 1400 minutes this summer SUPER proud of my bookworm. We have all read lots of folk takes. Lots of Junie B. Jones (who is stinkin' HIL-arious!).

There's lots of summer left, and the kids are checking things off our to-do list.

I think we'll accomplish it all.