Friday Fun at the DMV and Soccer Field

Preston has been in soccer camp all week!  It's been a hot week for sure, but thankfully there was one day of misty rain that was overcast so that was a welcome break from the heat.

Friday while he was in camp, I took Savannah to the DMV to get her permit. It was a pretty quick process since we had an appointment, but we won't count the time driving 100+ miles all in one day toting kids back and forth across town and running errands too. 

BUT, she passed and was truly one happy teenager!

Of course, she wanted to drive to work Friday afternoon . . . I'm not so sure about this!

 But I agreed, and she did great!  It will definitely take some getting used to having a teenage driver!

Happy 12th Birthday Preston!

Today we are celebrating Preston's 12th birthday AND Father's Day!!  As tradition would have it, we made our annual trip to Chuck E Cheese.  Of course this year we were wearing masks and sanitized like never before!

This kid is always putting on a show.  Who knows what he was doing in this picture.

Preston chose to have Papa Johns for dinner and loved his Coldstone Icecream cake.  He was most thrilled that he got a phone for his birthday!

Preston continues to live life at full speed . . . he loves soccer and being outside in general.  A new passion he has is kicking footballs.  He received a few items for his birthday that will help him practice punting and kicking field goals.  So thankful for this little guy and the joy he brings to our home.  It's going to be a fun year as he enters middle school!!!

And as for Dave, I honestly don't know what I would do without him.  He is the BEST father ever and teaches me daily about being patient and letting the little stuff go.  He loves fiercely and is always there to listen and help in any way he can.  So grateful, honored, and blessed to raise these two fireballs we have with him by my side.  Happy Father's Day!!!

Party with the Cousins ~ Summer Bday Style

We wasted no time celebrating!!  The cousins arrived early Friday morning and were there to greet Savannah as she got off the bus from camp.  After a quick trip home to unload her bags, we loaded back up and headed to the outlets for some birthday shopping.  Preston was at camp all week, so I'm sure he was sad to miss out on the shopping . . . not!

We enjoyed some girl time shopping at Vera Bradley, Old Navy, & Bath and Body works too!

We purchased the lumber from Lowes and just getting it to the yard was the first project.  We left Uncle Denny to work and stopped in to check on his treehouse wall progress.

Then it was time to pick up Preston from camp . . only the cousins saw Crumbled Cookies and said they had never had one, so we made a side stop to get cookies for everyone! 

Saturday Uncle Mark and Sara arrived to join the party.  We enjoyed wings off the grill and cookie cake too.  It was such a joy to be able to celebrate all the summer birthdays (Savannah, Preston, Julia, & Taylor) in person this year!  AND In Charlotte!!!

The finished product, Preston's gift from the Pages, walls on the treehouse!!

 It was a full weekend, one that we all enjoyed to the fullest!

Carmel Camp 2021

 

It was quite difficult to put Savannah on a bus for a week-long sleep-away camp knowing we would miss her birthday, but I trust these girls (and some amazing staff) will celebrate our girl well :)

They did not disappoint with decorating her bunk!

And even called her up on stage to celebrate the big 15!!

From what I hear it was a fabulous week . . one filled with laughter, late nights, worship, good food, and lots of amazing memories. I'm beyond grateful that they were able to get away to experience camp this year.  

This is Almost 15!!! Happy Early Bday Savannah!

 

This beautiful girl will turn 15 while away at camp this week . . .so we celebrated early with dinner at Red Robin and opening gifts.

Once in a while, we get the joy of surprising this girl . . and today was one of those times.  She kept pestering me all week about ordering a cake. I was like "Savannah we are going to have so many cakes this week and you're going to camp and will be eating so unhealthy, let's just have some special ice cream or something".  And then I ordered a special ice cream cake to surprise her with after dinner.  It was so much fun and she was thrilled . . and the cake was yum-o!

It's hard to believe that Savannah is turning 15 . . . my how quickly time flies.  This girl never fails to amaze me.  She ventures through life with an easy-going, calm, yet determined spirit.  She is my shopping buddy, personal assistant, fashion advisor, and favorite cook.  I love watching her try new things and am thankful to have a front-row seat to watch her become this truly amazing godly woman.  We will miss celebrating with her on Tuesday, but trust they will have a grand time at camp. :)

Camp Invention

 

After a week of being under the weather (minor colds for both kids) they were thrilled to be better and able to attend Camp Invention this week.  Savannah was finally a lead counselor and it was Preston's last year as an official camper.  They absolutely LOVED attending the all-day camp at PSE.  As always, lots of random "craft supplies" and creations came home today, including some super loud microphones. :)

Drivers Ed!!!

And so the time has come . . . I'm not sure how Savannah is old enough to be learning to drive a car, but here we are.  On this long holiday weekend, her one request was to do some practice driving in the JMR parking lot with Dave before starting real behind-the-wheel drivers ed on Sunday.  I stayed out of the car and made sure Preston was buckled in the back.  :)

After she made a couple rounds around the parking lot with Dave I got in to take a picture and go for a short ride.  This makes me SO nervous!!!

And then today it was official, on the road training.  Bright and early this morning she started her behind-the-wheel drivers ed training.  Lord protect her!!!