Lots of Birthdays

It seems that we have lots of birthdays in July.  Here are a few pictures of the ones we celebrated.  I think I'm partied out.

Blaine-July 13

Mike-July 24

Brittany-July 26

 Melba-July 31

 Sheryl-July 31

We didn't get to celebrate with her, but Madelyn's was July 10

Playing grandpa's red trumpet

43rd Anniversary

We celebrated our 43rd Anniversary with a nice meal at Red Lobster.  We both look worn out.  What's up with this aging process?  I think I don't like it.

Berries and Peas

Our berries and peas are really producing.  We are eating the peas raw.  I made some strawberry-peach jam, but still have to find time to make the wineberry jam.

Gabriel's 11th Birthday

We celebrated Gabriel's 11th birthday last month in Knoxville.  Mandy and family were there too.

Presents!

Hi there

Smile for the camera

Cousins

Just what I wanted

Yessss!  The Percy Jackson boxed set!

Loading the Truck

Last month we used our truck to help a friend move.  There were 4 mattresses loaded onto the truck.  It reminded me of the TV commercial where a man is driving behind a car with mattresses on top.  This truck has come in so handy!  I took it to Girl's Camp this year too.  The last picture I took on the road to the friend's new home.  It's a tree growing out of an old silo.  Amazing!

Tree growing out of an old silo

At the Pool

Last Monday, Mandy and her kids, Brittany, Tyler, and I went to the new Aquatic Center.  It's a brand new pool facility here in Kingsport, and is part of the new YMCA.  There are indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river (my favorite), splash pad, and waterslides.  It's a very nice place to spend a hot afternoon.

Here's Tyler on the high dive

And, Tyler on the springboard.

Eireann

Avery and Alex

Brittany with friend, Savannah

Independence Day

Dad's band-dad is behind the man in a blue poncho and next to a man in a red hat.  He's sitting on a step instead of a chair, so he is lower than everyone else.


Next, Brittany and Tyler in the Volunteer band.  Tyler plays cymbals and Brittany plays flute.  She's the tall skinny one in the middle of the line.Tyler is only in 8th grade, but is such a good drummer that he was invited to play with the high school band.