Bliss Family Reunion

We had a great time at Smith Mountain Lake this past weekend. Jarl and Beth were kind enough to invite all of the Blisses to their lakehouse for the weekend. It was so much fun watching the kids play and interact. Caroline made a new BFF with Whitney and Cooper can't decide on who he likes best - Ryan or McKenzie.

We wish we could have visited longer with everyone. Until next year!

We have ANOTHER celebrity in the family!

When I opened the mail today. look what I found on the cover on our YMCA Fall/Winter Program!

Cooper, our superstar, is on the middle right.

On another note about our local YMCA, 3 employees were confirmed with cases of the swine flu. Looks like I will be staying away for a few more weeks!

Daisy Troop at the Winston Salem Dash Game

Caroline's Daisy Troop and all of the other Girl Scouts in the Triad area went to the Winston Salem Dash Game and then were invited to camp out in the outfield after the game. Yep, camping and no Dads to help us set up camp! The Moms deserved a badge themselves! It was quite a joy! :)

The girls had quite a "Ball" that night. They had their balls and hats autographed.

The girls with "Dash". He was a hilarious mascot! If the game wasn't entertaining, he definitely was! He had me laughing all night.

Caroline and Emma - PEACE!

The girls after we got our tents set up

Me and Sis. She was so excited!

The Moms after setting up.

Emma and Caroline making silly faces. Why does the finger go up the nose automatically when doing a funny face? Seriously???

A Surprise Visit from my Granny!

My Granny (Dad's Mom) from SC came up to visit Aunt Jan and the family for the 4th weekend. My Dad and Pat stole her for a few days. I was fortunate enough to get a visit from her on Sunday! It was great seeing her and letting the kids play with her. They were in SUPER RARE form that night. They were out late the night before and didn't nap that afternoon. I am sure Granny was ready to leave by the end of dinner!

I didn't realize until after the weekend that I had a smudge on my lens. Sorry for the blurry spot in the top left corner of these pictures!

More 4th of July Festivities

After our day at the pool (and nap, of course), we went to our friend's house down the street for a party.

Anna and Caroline

Football Game - Even Scott got in on the action

When it was time for fireworks, we went back to our house and watched from our porch. Can you tell who the Grumpy-Gus was?

Yep, it's bedtime for someone!

More July 4th Pictures

Wow, I didn't realize that I was that far behind posting pictures! On the 4th, we had a big day in the neighborhood. After packing up from camping, we headed home for the neighborhood's 4th of July parade. All of the kids decorate their cars, bikes (and anything else with wheels) then meet at the park and follow the fire truck to the pool. This year was our first year participating since the kids are older. We decided to decorate our Yukon and trailer since the kids probably wouldn't be able to ride their bikes that far.

Our view of the processional to the pool

Ring Toss in the Kiddy Pool

Caroline won!

Toothless Thursday

Guess you FINALLY lost her front tooth??? Introducing Miss Snaggletooth:

She was so excited, she could hardly stand it. Poor thing has been eating out of the side of her mouth all week. She can finally eat regular again!

Happy Birthday America!

We had a jam-packed 4th of July weekend! On Friday, we met Brooke and Michael at the lake. Cooper had so much fun swimming and playing with his cousins. Cooper also rode in their ski boat and actually asked if he could go tubing! Maybe next time buddy.

Brady, Scott and Cooper swimming at the dock

Jose came with us and he couldn't stay out of the water! He loved swimming and getting all of the attention from the kids.

Welcome Home Caroline! This is so sweet. I met my mom at the interstate to pick up Caroline from their trip back from Ohio. We missed her so much!

Best Buddies

Gram brought brownies. Betcha can't guess what the boys are asking her?

Grand-Bob and his little buddies

Caroline and Davis

We camped at the lake that night and woke up bright and early to get back home for our neighborhood's festivities. More pictures to follow....

Georgia On My Mind!

While Caroline was up in Ohio with Mom and George, Cooper and I went drove to GA to visit Jenny and Sally. Since Jenny flew into town to visit her sister, Jody, she drove from Atlanta to Athens for a little girls weekend. We had a great time just talking and talking about the past, present and future. Being with them makes me feel 18 again - but much more mature! :)

On the first day, Sally and I took the kids to the park. It was so hot!!!!

Charlie - look at that face!

Who knew Cooper would have been such a great big brother to Charlie. He was so gentle with her and had fun playing with her.

Aunt Jenny spoiled them rotten. Cooper kept asking for Jenny to tickle him again (aka Tickle Torture)

The next morning, we headed to Athfest in downtown Athens. Cooper has come a lonnng way with animals this weekend. He actually fed a camel! He is also usually scared of dogs, but he was running around with Sally's 4 dogs by the end of the weekend.

Of course, I had to take Cooper to see the UGA Arches!! He showing his muscles above.

Cooper's own photography of me and Jenny

It just so happened to be my friend Carri's daughter's, Molly, 1st Birthday! I have not met Molly so this was a great 2 in 1 treat! Molly is so stinking cute!

Carri's husband, Ryan, is the manager of a 100 acre UGA farm. They actually live on the farm. It was a treat for all of us to pick blueberries. I had never seen a blueberry bush before and really wasn't sure how blueberries grew?

Although Cooper wouldn't eat the blueberries, he had a lot of fun picking them.

Jenny made homemade blueberry cobbler for us. This is the before picture. Unfortunately, we forgot to take an "after" picture. But trust me - D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!

Before we headed home, we all met Monica for brunch. It was great to see her, even if it was for just a little while.