Sweet Family Time

 Well the order of these pictures are all jumbled up but time with these sweet dear family are why, as wonderful as our Philippine adventure has been, I am excited about moving back home in the somewhat near future-we think!

 We went to Kennesaw University, where Jake works, to a great July 4th celebration with inflatables, patriotic music, games, picnic, and fireworks.

 When we stood and were trying to quiet the children as the National Anthem was being played-Ashley said "that's not the national anthem!"  I told her that it WAS the American one, not the Philippine one that she always hears played at school events!

 We celebrated Jake and Emily's 10th wedding anniversary and mine and Greg's 20th!  Hard to believe that we have known each other over half our lives and each year just keeps getting better!  Here's to 50 more!  We had a great dinner out just the 2 of us, enjoying fondue at the Melting Pot!

 Lots of lake, deck, and outside time with cousins!

 More ice cream-at least it is not just our immediate family!

 bikes!

 watching crazy dads using the water balloon launcher to fling over-ripe grapefruits into Grammy's lake!

 Picnic, swimming, paddleboarding, and playing in the sand at Lake Alatoona!

 Celebrated Ian turning 8!

 great times at the pool!

 sparklers!

 Great Grandaddy and Granny Joan!

 a visit, all the way from Blue Ridge from Uncle Wayne and Aunt Boo before their summer travels!

 Ashley turning 6 and getting a beautiful new church dress with ballerinas on it from Grammy

 and Scott turning 11!

 The little girls had a Frozen watching party!

 and helped Grammy decorate the dining room table

 More climbing and jumping on inflatables at Kennesaw

 

 Craziness in Uncle Jake's office and the HARD earned Dr. Gross diploma!

 fishing

 Ashley with her loving Daddy and her 6th birthday rose-a tradition begun by his dad for Jodi and Emily on birthdays.

 Reading with Grammy

 You can tell by the number of shoes that there are lots of extra people at Grammy's house

 Park fun!

 and we wonder why our children won't behave for pictures!!!

 We ladies ran away from the craziness twice-once for a delicious lunch at Chicken Salad Chicks and once for a movie Mom's Night Out-both were really great!

 The whole counter crew!

 Enjoying the outdoors!

 dress up!

 games

 Ryan's big wheel that he got for his birthday when he was 2!!!!  Now he is 9!  It has been at Grammy's since we came to Manila and has had MANY miles put on it.  He doesn't fit anymore but still likes to play on it!

 a better fit-thanks Katie for sharing your bike!

 Aunt Jodi-sorting out legos!

Guys-we love all of you and hope it won't be a whole year before we see you again!