summer ends

The week before school started, the girls ended their summer with an Oregon trip to see Papa and Gigi and an overnighter on the boat with Grandma and Grandpa.  These pictures are from the Children's Museum in Oregon.  What a great summer!

Daddy-Daughter camping

Chris and Kendra went out on their 5th annual Daddy-Daughter camping trip.  This was the first time they backpacked. 

beach day

One summer morning we joined some others at a beach front nearby. 

What a great way to spend a mid-August day!

Katie's 7th Birthday butterfly party

This year, Katie invited her friends to a butterfly party!  The girls helped make water-color butterflies for the walls.  Happy 7th birthday party, Katie.

At the party Katie colored black felt butterfly pictures, made bookmarks and pencil toppers, and glued nylon butterflies on hair clips.  We had a dinner of chicken nuggets and watermelon followed by presents and cake.

The "hit" of the party was the pinata in the backyard!!! 

The Last Night

Sometimes, at the end of a vacation, no one wants to go to bed for fear that the dream will end.  This little one fell asleep with the lights on and chatter going in the living room.  As I carried her to bed, I thought back on the great trip we had.  It really was like a dream come true.

Smile!

And what kind of family time would it be without picture day. 

Cousins...

The TN family...

Sisters...

Mother n daughters...

And...Zoe!

Choo Choo

Okay, so who goes to Chattanooga and doesn't visit the Chattanooga Choo Choo?  Well, maybe someone, but not us!

This one is for you, Papa...

MMM...that bluberry pie!

Auntie Dawn made a blueberry pie with the berries we picked a few days before.  Two little girls anxiously looked on and we all enjoyed the product of her labor.  Thanks, Dawn!  Sisters that bake, rock!

Ruby Falls

There is an amazing story behind the discovery of Ruby Falls.  We enjoyed this trip into the mountain to view the falls.  It was a great way to enjoy the afternoon.

The Incline

The Incline is the steepest passenger railway in the world.  It climbs 1 mile to the top of Lookout Mountain.  It was a fun trip despite the low clouds that fogged the view at the top.  The girls thought it was fun to not have seat belts.