Greetings from Charleston

Another last minute trip.  I think that's the only kind I know how to do!  My mom, grandma, and aunt were meeting up in Charleston, and my mom wanted me and the kids to join her.  Today, is her birthday, too.  We got here this afternoon and went out for a birthday dinner.  After dinner, we went to the Battery and walked around.  Tomorrow we will do the horse carriage tour and a plantation.  Should be fun.

I love the historic houses here.  They are so beautiful and fun to look at.  By the way, for all you millionaires out there, this one is for sale!!!!!!

Cake

So, here's a picture of the latest cake I've done.  Our ward had a youth fireside last night on the temple.  Since Chris is gone and couldn't be there, I helped him out by doing a cake.  I was told that they wanted everything white.  

To be honest, I enjoy the results of cake decorating a lot more than I actually like doing it.  There is soooooo much time and work that goes into it.   But, I guess I'm that vain, and I keep doing it just for the results.

Army Brats

Today, Chris left for Louisiana for a month of training.  While he was packing, the kids were having fun trying on his army gear.  They love and look up to their dad.

Thought This was Funny

The other day we went to an FRG (Family Readiness Group) meeting for Chris' troop at work.  There was a childcare room to drop the kids off so we could attend the meeting.  We were signing the kids in when the lady that worked there asked me where I was from.  I told her that I was from California.  Then she told me she liked my accent.  I have never had someone tell me that I had an accent before.  She was from Germany and she told me that she didn't like the way the people in the South talked and that it didn't sound like English.  

Family Dance

A lot of times for fun, we have "family dances."  They are never planned, they just happen when we are hanging around the house.  We turn the music on loud and start dancing.  Chris and I sometimes play music that was popular when we were dating and the kids get a kick out of it.

Before we knew it, Kayla got her "diva on" and started posing and acting like Sharpay from High School Musical.

This is Austin's idea of how "cool guys" pose.  He likes to act tough.

Like every other girl in America, Kayla loves High School Musical.  She likes Sharpay because she looks more like her.  Here she is being "FABULOUS" as Sharpay.

Antoher trip to Charlotte

After finding out that Chris wouldn't be going to Airborne school for another 2 months (long story), we thought we would go to Charlotte again. We love it there and always look forward to spending time with family (my grandparents). We went miniature golfing. We were more than half way through when it started raining. No worries, we got free tickets to go back the next day, so we definitely got our moneys worth.

Austin turned out to be quite the little golfer and got 2 holes in one!


Kayla also did good when she concentrated enough and also got a hole in one.


The housing development my grandparents live in has several pools so we spent some time at the pool. One of the pools had water slides and and pool area with different pool play equipment. The kids had a blast.


Kayla and tried to be a little fashionable while protecting our faces. The hat came especially in handy while I laid out and read!

4th of July

We hope everyone had a pleasant 4th of July.  Ours was very low-key.  We spent the day taking it easy.  I read a book, Chris washed his car, and the kids played with the neighbors.  That night, when it FINALLY got dark, we did fireworks in the backyard.  I guess being in the military is a constant reminder of our country and the sacrifices made to make it the way it is, and you don't need just one day to remember that.

Wrightsville Beach

Yesterday we went to Wrightsville  Beach, right next to Wilmington, NC.  It is so beautiful there.  (No wonder why they tape "One Tree Hill" there!)  It was so relaxing.  The kids had so much fun playing in the ocean and even made some friends there.  I laid back and read a book.  It was a perfect day!

Notice, no one would look at the camera!

Austin Mowing the Lawn

After seeing pictures of his cousin Blake mowing the lawn on his blog, Austin wanted to try it too.  Chris showed him what to do, and then he took off.