Day at the Park!

July 7th was Emily's last day before starting third grade. We decided that we needed to end her always too short summer break with a fun day. We planned to go see my grandmother and looked for something that all three kids could enjoy in the same area. We finally decided on Dan Nicholas Park. I had been to that same park years before for one of Dad's high school reunions and back then it was just an ordinary park. Oh how time changes things. We started the day off with Alex's favorite thing- a train ride. He was so cute, looking at everything with an open mouth, look of awe on his face. The whole time thinking he was riding Thomas going through the tunnels. One of the tunnels was named the Cheerwine tunnel, after all we were in the heart of Cheerwine country.

Next we headed to the Animal reserve and were all excited to meet the animals native to Rowan county. We all learned something. I for one would never have thought a black bear would be native, but as I said we all learned something. I mean did you know that the largest black bear on record in the US was from Craven county in NC, I had no idea. Alex learned a new word- bobcat and Drew wanted to take one home with us, hmmmm... is he allergic to a bobcat?

On to the petting barn, which really wasn't a petting barn. I was completely fine with that. We got to see some really smelly farm animals which the kids found cool. I got some great shots of a butterfly outside in the garden . I just may blow one up for Emily's wall. I think at this point the kids were starting to fade on us. It was only 99 degrees that day. We quickly went through the barn which also had a lot of old farm equipment in it. It was actually kind of neat to see the old plows, seeders, and fertilizers. It made me wonder if my great grandpa Brantley Adolphus use implements like them when he farmed the family land.

The carousel was beautifully painted with animals ranging from horses, zebras, giraffes and llamas to tigers and lions. We quickly took two rides around. Alex could have ridden all day long if we would have let him. However the two older kids had their eyes set on the water park. So we headed over to the water feature which was a little park with the water that shoots up out of the ground in different intervals and strengths. I must say that on a day like this I think that was most kids favorite place to be, including my three. So they splashed, sprayed,and sat in the streams of water that shot out of the ground. Alex was a little cautious at first , but quickly joined in with all the other children there. We had a wonderful time and can't wait to go back sometime soon. Do you know what the best part of the day was. We ended it with my favorite lady. It was a perfect ending to a perfect day

Here are some more of my favorite pics from the day

Fun Filled Weekend!

Our very sad display of fireworks, but SHHHH...

don't tell the kids they didn't notice
Already in jammies they watched in awe.

Alex and Drew at Bella's Birthday party

The birthday girl hopscotching in the water

Alex drying off from the hopscotch

Making a wish

Mom Mom and Emily

Having fun with party favors

Alex and his new buddy.

I think he wanted to keep Uncle Danny

Aunt Gilly and Mom Mom

Em, Alex, and Drew

I don't why, but this is one of my favorites of the weekend!

Over the 4th of July weekend we had celebrations of many kinds. We celebrated beautiful Bella and her 5th birthday. We celebrated this glorious country and all that it stands for. The freedom to live the wonderful lives that we live. Lastly we celebrated family. Our family.

We spent Saturday in Harrisburg- running through the sprinklers, eating BBQ and ribs, having Dawn's homemade cupcakes. It was a beautiful day spent outside in the shade chatting with the family that we don't get to see often enough. Bella was a beautiful birthday girl. She was a real princess- glass slippers and all.

Sunday everyone headed to Mom and Dads for a cookout on the 4th. We had BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, and salad. We relaxed on the deck while the kids swam in the pool. They splashed and kicked- Andrew swimming even faster and harder trying to impress all the onlookers. Alex fell in love with Uncle Danny- he was heartbroken to see him leave. My Aunt Jill said it reminded her of the old days spent at the farm. A sentiment that rang true.

I was suddenly hit with the realization of how much my family has grown apart. I am not sure if that is the right way to word it. Maybe how much all our hectic lives have interrupted our time spent together. In the old days we would come to NC and everyone would come to the farm. We would gather not once , but for several days in a row. Cousins spending the night playing cards and board games, parents talking "big people talk" . It is like we have gotten off track, been sidelined by children, jobs, schools, and the biggest offender of all miles. Now we get together for weddings and showers, births and deaths, an occasional holiday like Christmas. It needs to be not only when people come into town from far away- but in addition to. Why should we need a reason other than we love each other and want to see each other. I enjoyed my time that weekend spent with my lovely family. Family from New York, from Shelby, Harrisburg, and Rockwell. I missed those who were not able to be there. I am hoping that we may all be able to meet again sometime soon- this time the complete Earnhardt family.

Vacation Bible on The High Seas

Drew, Emily, Fred, and Jodi

Jodi and Drew giving each other big hugs

Mommy and her two oldest munchkins

Drew and Em at church in their VBS shirts

A wonderful sermon from our great cousin Fred



The kids were so lucky to be invited by our Asheboro cousins to attend Vacation Bible School- Adventures on the High Seas. They had so much fun, learned so much, grew so much, and made many new friends.We are so grateful to have been included in such a amazing experience that week. It was fantastic week spent learning wonderful lessons from the bible, learning new songs, doing great activities, and completing fun crafts. It was the first time that I have felt comfortable leaving Andrew somewhere like that . He really surprised me with how well he did. I am very proud of him. I think that he was afraid that if he misbehaved he would disappoint not only Billy and I but also Susan Fred and Jodi. It was so cute. He would come home and say "Mommy are you proud of me?" He felt like such a big boy at the end of the week. I really feel that this was a big step for him. At the end of the week the kids were so disappointed. They were so sad that it didn't last another week! Andrew and Emily are still walking around singing the songs along with their CD of the weeks music! Thank you so much to our great family for allowing our children to join you on such a wonderful adventure on the high seas. It was truly a wonderful blessing.