1/2 through Summer

So here we are 1/2 way through our summer and time just keeps flying by! Last week we did VBS at the Fort Jackson Main Post Chapel, and had a blast. I always enjoy volunteering for VBS, it always proves to be a good time. I served as the Celebration Leader (aka the praise and worship leader)which was COMPLETELY out of my comfort zone, but once I got into the groove it was alot of fun. In the evening we all headed out to try our hand at fishing and to no avail not one single bite all week.....

However the turtles were out and LOVE Chex Mix.

I never get tired of watching my family!

But I did enjoy a little time to jump into learning more about my newfound Hobby.

It was nice to get out in the evenings and sit with Thatcher, and read , but I found myself falling into the simplicity of quietness........

while My Heart waited for a bite on his line.

A quiet conversation

Spent some time in quiet conversation with my Father

Throwing camping in the ole stew pot.

Serenity



So we finally went camping which we have missed so much since we left Fort Riley Kansas. We ended up going to Lake Wateree and camping there for an overnight with some of our friends. It was a beautiful area, very peaceful and serene which is exactly what I needed to kick off our summer fun!!!   There is a picnic area for day visitors as well as a swimming area plus a bait and tackle shop which was very clean and well stocked with all kinds of gear, as well as some food and suvoniers. The kids really had a fun time once we set up the badmintion net, and we were really luck because there was a huge open field right behind our tent site and the bathroom/showers. We made smores, and the guys went fishing, and once the kids when to bed we got to just sit by the fire and visit. We will definitly have to do this drop in the bucket again!!


Badmintion is ON!!




Briar & Megan





Our Tent, we always forget how big it is until we set it up!

The Gears Summer Bucket List

Summer  Bucket List with a price tag

1. Frankie's Fun Park
2. Brusters shop
3.Go to the movies
4. Go to beach
5. Go to a movie at the zoo
6. Bowling
7. Rollorskateing
8. Go to a drive-in
9. Go to Columbia Marionette Theater
10.Go camping on Myrtle Beach
11. Go to Virginia
12. Go to hall of mirrors (Myrtle Beach)
13. Riley's aquarium
14. Go to Krispy Kreme factory

Priceless Summer Bucket List

1. Go to Richland library
2. Camping
3. WaterPark
4.Edventure
5. State museum
6. Go to zoo at NIGHT
7. Go to city roots
8.Go hiking
9. Congree State Park
10. Tour capital building
11. Summer Reading goals.
           Hannah-10 books no less than 200 pages
           Megan-8 books no less than 100 pages
           Briar- 8 books no less than 100 pages
           Willow- 38 books
12.Go camping on Myrtle Beach
13. Start reading program
14. Visit Beaufort Sc
15. Visit the Farmer's Market
16. Find 10 geocaches

So week one of summer break

Week one of summer break is just about to wrap up and I have almost successfully accomplished all I had hoped. My goal was to get the house cleaned and orgainzed top to bottom, so that we would only have to do a short maintain each morning and night, in order to beable to go and enjoy summer. I have a overactive mind, and wanted to beable to quiet it down a bit with a clean house.  I have cleaned, organized and reduced this house. I have gone through each one of the kids room and removed clothing, shoes, books and toys that didn't fit anymore. We headed to the laundry mat on post or the "laundrette" as the army likes to call them and knocked out all our laundry. Today will be my day to clean our room and the classroom which has been filled "again" with salvaged finds from the kids room, surprisingly they had some real educational treasures hidden away in there. My little worker bees have been awesome helpers and although we had some diffculty driving away from Good will ( Mom included) we all feel 100x's better having a clutter free home!! So bring on the Summer fun!

Last day of school...bittersweet

This is the last day of public school for my children, the end of a chapter, an era. We are going to live summer up, make a summer bucket list and rock it out.