Catch up, Part 2: Buddy Walk!

Before I get started, I just want to bring your attention to the little Tastefully Simple link on the top right side of the page ------------------->

I just recently signed on as a Tastefully Simple consultant, strictly to pay it forward and make donations to waiting children and adopting families of Reece's Rainbow, where we found our precious Lina.  I have a personal goal to make $1,000 in sales by October 15th and I'm a bit bummed we're not even halfway there yet.  Please consider making a purchase knowing 20% of your purchase price will go to a waiting child's grant.  Right now I'm raising money for sweet Willow who currently resides in the same baby house where Lina used to live.

I am praying someone will find her before she is transferred to an institution like Lina had to endure.

Alright, on to the Buddy Walk!  We enjoyed the most BEAUTIFUL weather- thank goodness since they were calling for a chance of showers, and it totally rained on us last year.  I was not looking forward to another soggy day!  Sun was shining though and all went very well.  I didn't get a whole lot of pictures since I was manning the bounce house with Justin and Lina, and Mike was chasing after Evan while Kaylin hung around with them.  While we were a bit bummed that none of our family or friends could join us, one of Evan's little friends from his special ed preschool class did come!  His parents are SO sweet- they just moved up from Florida, and we were truly touched they made the drive out to join us.  And no, I wasn't able to capture a picture with them either :(( but I got a picture of their backs if that counts! LOL

That's them right in front of us- I was actually trying to get pics of the awesome team ahead wearing the purple afro's- they were hysterical!!

Loved it!  As I mentioned, I spent a good bit of time watching Justin and Lina chase each other around in the bounce house- before the walk started.

Kaylin made her way to the face painting station

After the walk, we grabbed some food and sat under a shady tree to eat... 

One could have fun writing captions for these two! ;)

We then chased the kids around the playground for a bit until it was time to head out. Clouds were starting to get dark so we figured it was a good time to hike back to the car. By the time we got home- it was just starting to rain. ;) Perfect timing!

Next post: Lina's first field trip with school!! :) Lots of fun pics to come. ;)

Playing catch up- Part 1: Deep Creek Lake!

We've been BIZ-EE!! Thought I'd bring all my readers up to speed with the happenings going on around here. :)

We escaped to the lake for a nice long weekend a couple weeks back- MUCH needed change of scenery and change of pace!  We enjoyed GORGEOUS weather, but were a bit disappointed by the location of our rental property on the lake.  What attracted me to this property while searching online was the size of the backyard- nice and flat as opposed to many other properties along the lake, and plenty of room for little ones to run around!  My parents joined us for the first two nights, and we stayed one more on our own.

By the way- this was Lina's very first trip away from home!  She handled things VERY well and enjoyed herself. :)

Lots of exploring to do!

The bummer about this location- instead of being on the main part of the lake, this was a little outskirt where the water was only a foot deep off the end of our dock, and all full of algea and yuck.  Mike was really looking forward to some good fishing time, but this was not a good place to fish.  We did not plan to swim since we were expecting cooler temperatures, and this certainly would not be the place to swim!

Still had a fairly decent view though. :) The big kids did get to enjoy the hot tub- we keep it turned down to 95 when they are taking a dip for anyone who is concerned. ;)

The littles enjoyed time at a little playground located next to a few restaurants where we ate a night or two.

This slide was SUPER fast- Lina wanted help from PopPop.

Evan's first time on a big boy swing!

And chillin with Daddy.  He's become such a ham for the camera!

The big kids enjoyed some time at Wisp- I took them to the mountain coaster there which they have ridden before, and they had a couple new attractions there since the last time we went.  The mountain coaster is AWESOME.  Go check out the link above- you can also find videos of people riding it on youtube. Kaylin wanted to ride by herself this time... Justin was JUST tall enough to ride alone this year also, but opted to ride with Mom. :) So, I didn't get any pics except for us going up the hill- Kaylin is in the car ahead of us.

The new attractions next to the mountain coaster: a nice playground as well as a new obstacle course!  Had  we known the playground was there- Mike would have brought the little kids to enjoy, but instead he kept them back at the house since there was never anything here for them before. Ah well- next time!

The obstacle course was really cute- both kids were eager to try it out, especially the zip line!  Justin quickly volunteered to go first, but moments into it, got scared and wished he would have let Kaylin go first!

Getting suited up- Justin looks like he's getting frisked but really that wasn't part of the preparation. ;)

Pumped up! Let's do this!

Getting instructions

First obstacle- climbing across the ropes.... Justin is nervous already.

Almost there!

Kaylin's turn...

... meanwhile, Justin makes it across the little rope bridge.

Kaylin has to pose for a picture before she continues across ;)

This next part, Justin got REALLY scared and needed help.... He had to walk across the log with only the scattered ropes hanging down to cling to.  Scary stuff!!

I couldn't get a good view, but this is Kaylin going down the first little zip line and Justin heading up the ropes to the big zip line!

Going up!

Yep, I see you, Justin! 

Justin coming down (bear with me as I wasn't used to taking video with this particular camera and couldn't tell if it was recording LOL it's a little slow to start):

And Kaylin!

Last part: crossing the suspended beams

Hey, Mom- this is HARD!!

All in all, that was pretty much the extent of our weekend getaway.  Most the time we just kicked back and enjoyed being away from home for just a bit.  Summer was trying at times since we were tied down with no where to go after taking three trips to Russia. :)  

Next post: BUDDY WALK!! :)

Lina joins our church family!

We had a slow start this morning as we recover from a BIG exciting day yesterday!! I had to wake both Evan and Lina this morning, and they even went to bed early last night- so much celebrating going on!  Yesterday was Lina's Baptism at our church, and then fun filled festivities at home to celebrate her birthday as well!

Lina in her BEAUTIFUL dress hand smocked by my former Girl Scout leader- Love. It.

Church went very well, aside from a squirmy little boy who wanted to go everywhere and get into everything! Ok, so he wasn't that bad, but kept our entire pew busy for sure!  Here's the little rascal taking a breather with MomMom.

I apologize in advance for the quality of the photos- we couldn't use a flash during the service and these were taken with my little point and shoot.  Hoping some other friends and family will have more pics to forward on to me. *hint hint* ;)

Lina handled the service and ceremony GREAT!  I brought her to church a couple weeks ago so the entire experience wouldn't be entirely new and frightening to her with the organ music and voices over the sound system.  She did not like the voices on the sound system the first time we came and fussed a bit each time the pastor or assisting minister spoke, but yesterday she had no trouble.  She even sang along to the hymns and babbled during prayers, participating right along. :)

I wish we got the Baptism on video- Lina was a rock star!! 

When Pastor Dave first brought out the dish with Holy water, Lina wanted to drink it. Hee hee!  But she caught on quickly.

She leaned forward for him to mark the sign of the cross on her head, and then he let her dip her fingers into the water.

And what did she do after she put her finger in the water?  Made the sign of the cross on Mommy's forehead!

Kaylin got to hold Lina's baptismal candle

And in the shot above you can see Lina's banner Kaylin helped me assemble. :) Our church made one for each child baptized, but stopped doing do after Justin was baptized.  Pastor David did make sure Evan got one just like his big brother and sister, so of course Lina couldn't be left out either! :) Thanks so much, PD!

Kaylin also got to serve as acolyte during the service for the first time this special Sunday! :)

Back to our pew after the ceremony, and Lina did a good deal of coloring to pass the time.

I had packed some crayons and paper for her, but quickly realized I did not want her getting crayon all over her BEAUTIFUL white dress!  

Our attempt at a family photo in church with squirmy kids (Evan) who wanted to get DOWN and run around!

Whew, we made it!  Now back home to PAR-TAY!  Lina was immediately changed out of her pristine white dress so it wouldn't get ruined! ;)  And then there were presents....

And more presents.....

We are fairly certain this was Lina's very first experience opening presents and celebrating her birthday.  Something so customary to us was a whole new learning experience for our 6 year old girl.  She did great even if she wanted to stop and read every book :) 

And then she opened the present with the camera....

And refused to open any more! 

She plopped herself down on the couch and absolutely refused to touch another package or gift bag. Kaylin helped open more presents, and then we came to the doll....

This wasn't just any babydoll- Lina has a few already... but this was her first doll with HAIR!! She chucked that camera so fast and plopped back down with her new dolly to brush her hair!! 

And then it was time for cake.  Yes, I copped out from making a special birthday cake since this was a much larger party than our usual birthday parties, and we were celebrating her baptism as well.  So I got the next best thing.... an ice cream cake from our local creamery- YUMMMM!!!

And lighting the candles- I quickly learned Lina never had birthday candles before.  First thing she did was touch the flame! ACK!  She in turn learned quickly not to touch the hot flame- ouch!  We then had to learn how to blow out the candles- she picked up on the idea and got a little help from a friend. :)

(Please ignore the cleavage shot ugh)

And there you have it- Lina's celebration in a nutshell!  Is it time to go to bed yet?