I'm sorry it has been a while since I have posted anything, but with the end of school and a busy last month, I just haven't had any time. Plus, our computer is on the blink. So, I am going to post a few things in this one day.
We made a flying trip (almost literally) to Myrtle Beach to visit with Cece and see Coastal Carolina play in the NCAA Regionals. We were hardly there for 24 hours, but it was well worth it to get a quick visit in and the see the Chanticleers victorious and head to the Super Regionals against South Carolina. YEAH!! GO CCU!!
Two days after school got out, we went to Columbia to celebrate the marriage between two of our great friends. Cece came to our house to play with Ava Grace for a couple of days. Cece and Ava Grace had a ball!! Tim and I had a great time celebrating our anniversary and hanging out with our friends for a couple of days. The rehearsal dinner/party, hanging out by the pool, and laughter with our friends began our fun weekend. Saturday was a day of wedding bliss! Jessica looked absolutely beautiful (as always) and she and Mark smiled the entire day!! The wedding went off without a hitch and the reception....well, lets just say we closed it down with lots of dancing and reminiscing. There was even an after party as McDougal's in the Vista followed by a late night meal at Waffle House. Who can resist that? The weekend was perfect and we are so thankful to have been a part of Mark's and Jessica's big day. We look forward to their new life together and the memories that we share in the future. 
The next week was spent just hanging out. Ava Grace and I enjoyed a couple of moments by the pool (little bitty round green pool from Wal Mart). Although our water is extremely cold because we live in the mountains, Ava Grace is perfectly content playing in it during various times of the day (whether sunny or cloudy). We ran lots of errands which Ava Grace is always excited to do if it involves going to Wal Mart, Target, or the grocery store. She loves those places which works out well for me!! Ava Grace and I also enjoyed a couple of days at the park and story time at the library. It was a nice week to have off from school spent with my daughter.
We have also made a trip to Indiana to visit Meme and Pop Pop. Ava Grace, Aunt Deb, and I had a great time!! Rebecca has been in Indiana for two weeks visiting, so Ava Grace was very excited to have her to play with once we arrived. It was a very busy weekend, but very much enjoyed by all. On Friday, Rebecca went to her last day of Bible School while we got settled at the house. Ava Grace got to hold baby chicks at Hannah's house. Hannah is the daughter & granddaughter of some of Me Me's and Pop Pop's friends. Ava Grace touched the chicks, but would not hold them because the nails were too sharp. That afternoon we went to a small water park in Washington, Indiana. Ava Grace had a blast!! That is the first time she has ever gone to a water park with slides and a wading pool that she could walk around in. She literally played in the water for an hour straight before having a snack. We played for about three hours before heading home. Pop Pop grilled that night and we had a feast of marinated turkey (the best in the whole world), fresh corn on the cob, cantaloupe, etc. It was a great day!!
Saturday brought us a trip to Indianapolis to visit Aunt Ava. I am sure I have written it before, but Aunt Ava is Tim's great aunt that has always lived in Indiana. She will be 93 years old in August. Ava Grace is named for Aunt Ava in case you were wondering. The drive is only about 2 hours from the farm. Aunt Ava took us out to lunch and then we went back to her place for a visit. The girls enjoyed looking at all of the birds and singing for Aunt Ava. It was gre
at to see her and hopefully we will get another visit in next year. Saturday evening was a new event for Ava Grace as well. We went to the Daviess County fair which is located in the fairgrounds very near the farm house. Ava Grace has been on merry-go-rounds before, but not many other rides. She enjoyed riding the whales, airplanes that soared in the air, choo choo train, and race cars that spun around with Rebecca. Of course she rode the Merry-Go-Round three or four times. It was fun (amid the mud and muck)!!
at to see her and hopefully we will get another visit in next year. Saturday evening was a new event for Ava Grace as well. We went to the Daviess County fair which is located in the fairgrounds very near the farm house. Ava Grace has been on merry-go-rounds before, but not many other rides. She enjoyed riding the whales, airplanes that soared in the air, choo choo train, and race cars that spun around with Rebecca. Of course she rode the Merry-Go-Round three or four times. It was fun (amid the mud and muck)!!
Sunday was father's day and it began with Ava Grace giving Pop Pop a card when she got up that morning. We all went to church and listened to Aunt Deb and Rebecca sing. The church is very small, so they do not have a nursery. Ava Grace was pretty good during the service since she was entertained by Meme giving her stickers to put on her coloring books. Whatever works!! We ate lunch at one of the Amish restaurants. If you have never eaten at an Amish restaurant, you are really missing out!! It is amazing! You are so incredibly full when we leave from eating all of the good cooking (country cooking as we know it in the South) and the fabulous desserts. I literally thought I had gained 5 pounds when I left!! The afternoon brought about laziness with reading books, watching baseball, and taking naps. During the evening, we all went to the Bethel Mennonite church for Rebecca's closing Bible school service. It was very nice!!
We left early on Monday morning to head back home. The trip was great!! We had a wonderful time with Meme and Pop Pop as always. We are looking forward to having them back in South Carolina come fall. Thanks for everything Meme and Pop Pop!! We love you!!
