We went to the Nashville Zoo at the beginning of the summer. Gil hadn't been there before with us. The Nashville Zoo is really nice and has a great play area. It was very hot the day we went so we didn't see everything, but we had a lot of fun. I can't remember why Shirley was pouting in the one picture, but he sure can pout.
We were able to go camping during Memorial Day weekend. We left Thursday afternoon and came home Saturday afternoon. Thursday and Friday were actually kind of chilly, but it was very hot on Saturday so we were able to go swimming. It was a really nice campground. The kids really enjoyed fishing. Rilla caught 2 fish and Shirley caught one. Walter and Jem tried and tried, but didn't have any success. We all really enjoy camping (as long as I have an air mattress). We love being out doors.
Back in June Walter had Cub Scout Day Camp and I volenteered to help at it. It was Monday through Friday from 8am -2pm. Jem was able to do camp, too since he is old enough (although in our church they don't start until age 8). They had child care for younger kids of volenteers so Rilla and Shirley got to come each day. I ended up being a Wolf Den leader, with Jem in my Den. Camp was awesome except for the heat. It was so hot and humid (mid 90's with humidity). I enjoyed coming home to air conditioning each day. They were long days, too. We had to be there at 6:45 and didn't get home till after 3pm each day. The kids had a lot of fun. Even Rilla and Shirley. I worried about them and the heat, but they loved being outside each day. They got so dirty, too. Shirley even took a nap on Thursday because he was so tired out. I didn't get a lot of pictures, but here are a few I did take.
BB shooting seemed to be everyone's favorite activity. Walter is a pretty good shot. Friday was Family Day. parents were able to join their scouts for the BBQ and be there all day if they wanted. Gil was in Texas for training all week until Thursday night so he was able to join us on Friday. 
I am trying to catch up on old blogs.
After eating at the Three Broomsticks I took Walter and Jem to Hogwarts castle and Gil took Rilla and Shirley on the Hippogrith ride. The line for the castle took forever. A couple of hours later we went again and there was almost no line. The late afternoon was a much better time for all of the rides.
Next we went to a couple other areas of the park and went on some more rides. One was a water ride. Rilla loved the water rides. Jem liked them but Walter was a little scared like me. I only went on one. Rilla was barely tall enough for them. Rilla also loved collecting flowers that were all over the ground.
We all enjoyed the Hippogrith roller coaster. Shirley was tall enough so we all got to ride. It was later in the day so we got to go many times without waiting in line.
We had our annual Stake Family Fun Day today. We have enjoyed it the last two years, but it was even better this year because we had such nice weather, not as hot. It was in the high 70's with a nice breeze. I stayed in the shade almost the whole time and it was perfect. The kids had a blast and the food was great. It is so much fun watching my kids have so much fun. It is also nice visiting with friends. There were inflatable, games for the kids, helium balloons, and face painting.
Walter and Jem started school the beginning of August. I haven't been able to post any pictures because our MAC keeps freezing up. I finally succeeded in getting three months worth of pictures onto a thumb drive today before the computer froze up so now have them on my laptop. I have several posts to make about things we did over the summer. I plan on getting caught up over the next few weeks while I am stuck on the couch with my foot propped up and being iced. I sprained my ankle 5 weeks ago and it sure is taking its time to heal. I tore two ligaments in my right ankle. Though it hurts as much as it did in the beginning, I have more movement in my foot and toes so I know it is finally starting to heal. I sure wish I wasn't pregnant and could take IB profen for the pain. Tylenol doesn't help at all. Crutches aren't much fun either. I just hope it is all healed by the time this baby is born (though the doctor told me I may have to do physical therapy).
These pictures were taken two days before I sprained my ankle at the boys bus stop. Walter is now in 5th grade and Jem is in 2nd grade. Walter rotates teachers for subjects and seems to be ejoyig it. He still finds math his favorite subject. Jem has adjusted rather well. He has never been good with change, but he has a few kids in his class from his last class, including 2 boys he was friends with. His teacher seems nice. One thing that really bugs me though is their spelling tests are multiple choince. What is up with that? It really annoys me. I think that kids should be able to spell words on their own (whether orally or written).
