Fourth of July, Continued!

Friday, July 4, 2008:

We went to the beach to meet Kelli and them, for fireworks. While we were waiting for them to begin, the children had fun playing in the water, for a little bit.

Emily, venturing out to the waves!

Ryan!

Hunter and Ryan!

Caitlynn and Emily!


The beach ended up closing, due to a severe thunderstorm coming through the area. So, we packed everyone up, including the ton of fireworks that Kelli brought and headed to Kelli's old neighborhood, to light them.

Here are a few of the fireworks that Courtney was setting off. We didn't stay very long, because it started raining and lightning a lot. We were so happy that it rained at the end of the night, instead of in the middle of the day. We had a fabulous 4th of July!!!

Happy 4th of July!!

We had such a wonderful day, with the exception of us hearing the news that Myra, had lost her battle with cancer. I dedicated the entry below this one, to our special friend.


We started our day by having a picnic, at the park, with my Mom. Emily, Ryan, myself, Kelli, Caitlynn, Hunter, Scott, Brandon, and Joshy were all there. Rob was working and wasn't able to be with us for the entire afternoon; however, he did visit us. It was so nice that he was patrolling the beach/park that was right beside our picnic area.

Emily, Nana, and Ryan. This was taken before everyone else got there. It was so sunny and bright that I had no idea that Ryan's eyes were closed!

Me, with my patriotic babies!

Hunter and Ryan!

Me and Kelli!

Me, Scott, and Kelli!

The kids eating lunch!


After we ate, Kelli took all the children to the beach. Emily called me about 10-minutes later and asked if they could get in the water, with their clothes on (because obviously we hadn't brought our bathing suits). I told her that they could and I knew that she would be totally soaked!! Which, she was! LOL!! Mom, Scott, and I walked down there a little bit later and saw them in line for snow cones. They had run into Rob and he bought them their frozen treats. Here is the picture of them waiting, so patiently, in line for snow cones!

The kids eating their treats. You can see Scott, Mom, and Rob, in the background.

Everyone walking back to our picnic area.


On the way back, right after I took the above picture, a bee flew in between poor Emily's foot and flip flop and she got stung. Nana pulled the stinger out and got stung on her thumb and finger, too, with the SAME stinger. So, we called Rob and he drove over and gave us some swabs for the sting. Thank goodness for Rob!!

After our picnic, the children and I went over to Nana and Poppy's house to visit. They had quite a house full of people! Bob's (Poppy) brothers and their families came for the weekend to visit. Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Donna, Cousin Jamie, and her boyfriend, Alban, arrived late Thursday evening, from New Jersey. Uncle Dennis and Cousin Chris flew in this afternoon, from Georgia. It was definitely a wonderful reunion. As soon as we got there, Emily and Ryan said, "Hello," to everyone and jumped in the pool. It was a lot of fun to catch up with all the Farrell's. I had never even met Chris or Alban, so it was such a pleasure to get to know them. Here are some pictures from our fun afternoon with them.

Jamie, Sarah, and Emily!

Uncle Dennis, Sarah, Aunt Donna, and Jamie!

Ryan and Chris!

Ryan's Cannon Ball!

Playing "Monkey In the Middle!"

More "Monkey In the Middle!"

Uncle Dennis and Uncle Jimmy!

Emily and Uncle Jimmy!

Uncle Jimmy, Ryan, and Emily!


After our wonderful afternoon/evening, at Nana and Poppy's house, we left to meet Kelli and them, at the beach for fireworks. I think that I've run out of room, because it won't "spell check" anymore or allow me to load anymore pictures. So, I will have to continue my fireworks post tomorrow!! Happy 4th of July!!

Rest In Peace, Myra!

For those of you who do not know, one of my sister's best friends, Myra, passed away this afternoon. After a brave battle, against a rare form of cancer, her earthly body could no longer fight. She is in Heaven right now and I'm sure her dear Mother was at the pearly gates, to welcome her baby girl home!! Beautiful Myra is free from pain, and cancer-free! Fly with the angels, sweet friend, you have earned your wings!!! May you rest in peace, for all of eternity.

Myra was only 34-years YOUNG!!! Far too young to have her life cut short, by this horrendous disease. She handled her illness with grace and dignity. She lived her life to the fullest and continued to LIVE, even after her grave prognosis. I loved that about her and she was truly an inspiration to me. She lived her life, the way she wanted. I will miss her tremendously.

I ask that you all, please, keep my sister and all of Myra's family and friends, in your thoughts and prayers.

Rest in peace, Alexandra (we often times called each other by our middle names)! I will miss you!!

Water Country!

We went to Water Country today, because Emily didn't have ice skating this evening. Lessons were cancelled this week, in honor of the Fourth of July. I guess we had the exact same idea as everyone else because --- it was PACKED!!! My gosh, we haven't been there this year, yet, where it has been this crowded. We really didn't do a lot of rides, either, because the lines were too long. We did enjoy the areas that we visited, though.

After we got home, we went to the library to get some books and movies. We relaxed a little bit, until dinner time. I had all the cousins eat with us, because Kelli went to buy fireworks for tomorrow. I cooked tacos (yummy - we all love some tacos). So, I took Caitlynn to cheerleading practice and Rob took the boys to Mike's, to skate.

We had a fun day and are looking forward to our 4th of July tomorrow!

Ryan was walking Brandon and Joshy over, to get their life jackets, while Caitlynn, Hunter, and Emily were riding Jet Scream!

Caitlynn on Jet Scream!

Hunter on Jet Scream!

Emily on Jet Scream!

Emily walking to the steps, after riding Jet Scream!

All the cousins, minus Ryan, riding Big Daddy Falls!

I made them stop for a photo op, after riding Big Daddy Falls. Here are all the cousins, minus Ryan, who was in a bad mood.

The girls had just caught Brandon and Joshy, as they slid down the Little Bopper, and they are carrying them to the steps.

Skate Park and Fun Forest!

Today we went back over to Chesapeake to go to their skate park. Hunter hadn't been, since he was in Tennessee the first time that we tried it out. We ended up running into a skate friend, who skates with the boys at Mike's. They all had a lot of fun. The girls watched the boys for awhile and then we went to the playground. Emily was looking forward to showing Caitlynn all the equipment. One of their favorite things to do was climb the huge rock. We enjoyed a nice picnic and stayed for a couple more hours, after lunch. You never know how the traffic is going to be, so I didn't want to stay too late, since we had to go through the tunnel. We had another fun-filled summer day. Here are some pictures, to enjoy!

Emily and Caitlynn, waiting outside of the skate park ~

Ryan and Hunter, waiting for them to unlock the skate park. Unfortunately, they seem to be about 10-minutes late ALL the time! ~

Ryan dropping in ~

Hunter dropping in ~

The girls in Fun Forest ~



Lunch Time ~

Getting some "end-of-the-day" jumps in, before we leave ~

TEN THINGS TUESDAY!!!

It's that time again -- the time when I reflect upon all my blessings for the week. This week I am thankful for:

1. Independence Day! For all the military who protect our country, so that we can enjoy our freedom! They are the true heroes. I am so thankful to all the men and women who serve our country!

2. Caitlynn and Hunter being home -- yay!! We missed them so much and it's so wonderful to see them again (2-weeks without our Goosey and Handsy is way too long!). They actually moved right down the street from us. We love it!


3. For all the "older" cousins, who so willingly put on "water wings" so that Brandon would wear his. We had a little scare in the pool with him last Wednesday and we wanted to make sure that he would never slip under the water again (he was fine and Emily got him immediately, but it was a very scary moment). He was very determined NOT to wear them, so the sweet older kids put them on (this was Nana's brilliant idea and it worked like a charm). Just to "explain" the picture below -- Sarah didn't want to swim today, she helped blow up the water wings on the kids. Also, there weren't enough water wings to go around, so Ryan and Hunter only wore one on each arm! LOL! Brandon didn't even notice and wore his for the rest of the day! What a HUGE blessing!!


4. A wonderful beach day yesterday. We had so much fun. I love watching all the children interact with one another. They are all so precious. We brought a friend with us and they all had a blast!


5. My husband, who is the best husband in the world!!! I love him so much. He completes me, supports me, takes care of me, and loves me unconditionally --- even with all my flaws!!! I am so thankful for him!!!

6. My beautiful children! My gosh, the love I feel for them every single minute is indescribable. I often find myself just staring at them and am amazed that I was blessed with such precious gifts!!! Just to explain Ryan's picture -- he really doesn't like getting his picture taken lately. So, I had to bribe him for this close-up, with $1.00 (I still haven't paid -- he's forgotten about it, UNTIL I don't have money, I'm sure), at the pool today. He is a little irritated that I am this close, with the camera, and that's the reason he is looking like this! LOL!



7. My sweet nephews, Brandon and Joshy!! I love how close they are. They always think of each other at snack time and any other time, for that matter. Brandon will say, "What about Joshy?" Or, Joshy will say, "Brandon wants one!" They are the sweetest!


8. Caitlynn and Emily, who are more like sisters, than cousins. I used to feel a little bit sad that Emily didn't have a sister, like I had growing up. Then, we realized that Caitlynn is HER sister. They certainly fight like they are. Then, they are the best of friends and want to be together, when they apart. It's a really special bond. They remind me so much of my sister and I, when we were little. I love watching them.


9. For the Lord for blessing me with the life I have. Whenever I feel a little stressed, it is always reassuring to know that He has the perfect plan for me and is always there.

10. The excitement, in Emily and Ryan's faces, when they look at their garden they planted, at Nana and Poppy's house. They planted it, with Nana, about a month ago, and everything is getting so big.