Vacation Bible School!

The kids attended their first Vacation Bible School of the summer a few weeks ago at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.  They had the BEST time...well that is after they decided to stay on Monday!!  VBS started on Sunday night.  We had spent the weekend in Cullman and came were running about thirty minutes late thanks to some bad weather accompanied by safe (a.k.a. SLOW) driving.  When we arrived a the Church neither of my kids would stay despite meeting their super sweet teacher and seeing a few familiar faces (Bowen and Mrs. Jones).  Part of the problem was we were late which had Austin Kieff upset.  Part of the problem was they had never been to the church before and were a little nervous.  Of course Caroline decides on the way back home that she wanted to stay which resulted in twenty minutes worth of tears!!

Monday was a little different.  While, both kiddos were still a little apprehensive, they were super excited to see Bown, Greer and Mrs. Jones!  Austin Kieff was also excited to be in a class with Caroline so that he could look after her.  They shared some really sweet moments during VBS and I loved seeing how excited they were to learn about Jesus, The Way, The Truth and The Light!!  Spacequest was definitely an AWESOME adventure complete with some really fun songs. 

Here are a few phone pictures from the week (yes, I did stay each night...it was about a thirty minute drive each way not to mention both kids were more willing to stay knowing I was not leaving!).  Thanks so much to everyone who made the week such a wonderful experience.  From the teachers to the cooks it was a truly wonderful experience!!

Captain Greer

Austin Kieff and Bowen

Austin Kieff was telling me about something he had learned

Helping Sister

The Amazing Jet Pack

Their class

Super Proud!

Cullman, the Lake and a Birthday

We spent the weekend of Austin Kieff's sixth birthday in Cullman with Grandmother, Granddaddy,  Great Grandmother, Uncle Chris, Hunter, Mr. Charles, Mrs. Brenda and Leann (mother of Austin Kieff's "other cousins").  It was a nice visit thanks to a three-day weekend!  We drove up late Thursday and spent all day Friday and Saturday visiting, playing and celebrating.  Of course we fit in what visiting and playing we could do on Sunday as well (Note:  there may have even been some celebrating that two noisy, extremely active, million-question asking kiddos were going home...but, I don't think so, ha!).

Austin Kieff had a blast as always with Hunter and Uncle Chris.  I think he enjoyed aggravating Granddaddy a little to.  And of course, no trip to Cullman is complete without helping Grandmother make biscuits (I do not have a single picture of this event that has become tradition).  However,  I believe I may have found a few pounds as evidence, ha! 

Friday morning we enjoyed a yummy breakfast (complete with biscuits) before everyone except me headed to the Lake.  What you ask did I do with myself?  Well, I went shopping of course!  I fully expected to run into Great Grandmother or Aunt Vida while on my trip.  I was a little disappointed when I did not!!  I did join the family at the Lake for an early dinner and some fun in/on the Lake!  Yummy grilled chicken, grilled vegetables and Mrs. Brenda's "chicken" pie were a hit with everyone there.   There was also fresh fruit thanks to Great Gransmother.  Great Grandmother always brings something my kids love.  This trip it was fruit on Friday and Saturday!!  Caroline discovered white dipping sauce and I believe Austin Kieff even liked it, too! 

Saturday we spent the afternoon at the Lake.  Grandmother made a cookie cake to celebrate Austin Kieff's birthday.  We enjoyed some of his favorites for lunch: hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and watermelon!! Austin Kieff was surprised with birthday presents before spending a little more time in the water.  He even attempted skiing.  However, some unruly visitors to the Lake made this mom GLAD he decided a few attempts was ENOUGH. 

I captured the trip on my phone...here are few pictures:

Austin Kieff and Hunter playing in the Lake

Happy to be in Granddaddy's boat

I am brave and I can try to do this!

Of course Caroline had to play on the water, too!

These smiles were everywhere!

Daddy had to prove he could still do it!

Yes, this makes me nervous.  Every. Single. Time.

Happy birthday Austin Kieff!!

Of course we had to finagle a trip to Casa Fiesta!!  Birthday dinner it was.

Sunday, after a yummy breakfast of course, we played baseball before heading home. More phone pics to come!!

SIX!

We will post more, but here is a picture of me and Austin Kieff on his SIXTH birthday...pardon the attire, but we spent the day at the Lake celebrating with family and friends so close they are family!!

Loving My Kiddos

We have several events to blog about, but for just a quick post I am going to document something that I am really loving right now!

Austin Kieff and Caroline are developing the best relationship.  Is it perfect, no.  What relationship between siblings is?  But, they are becoming so loving and kind towards one another it makes my heart melt to observe them sometimes.

Most recently, the kids have been attending VBS at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.  Well, we know the director and her children...everyone else...new friend potential (...we didn't know them from Adam)!  Needless to say that makes for a few clingy moments for both of my kids who like to know exactly who they are around and what they are going to be doing at all times.  Well, for the most part!

I have watched the "big brother" role in full force this week as Austin Kieff has sat beside Caroline.  He has helped her with crafts, watched over her on the playground and made sure she was okay on multiple occasions.  Tuesday night he even left sitting with his friend to come sit beside her so she would not be alone.  I LOVED having the opportunity to observe such sweetness!! 

The following picture is from my phone and super blurry, but this was during one sweet moment at crafts.  Austin Kieff had just given Caroline a hug and told her she was doing a great job!!