WOW

Cora just finished reading the Harry Potter series! Way to go, kiddo! We are so proud of her :) 

What to do when the heat index is 117 on a Sunday afternoon

BOWLING!!!

Sunday morning

"warriors" Emi and Cora dressed in Sunday school crafts

Gymstar sisters

This summer Cora and Emi sometimes have combined gymnastics classes - it's so fun to watch! Here they are doing simultaneous handstands (I missed what happened next...) 

Sad news...

A week ago I managed to get rear-ended by an 18 wheeler on the highway. Thankfully I did not suffer any injury. We found out today that our Volvo "Gina" has been totaled and we are now down a car. I'm so sad as she was a reliable and wonderful car for 6 years, despite our realizing that we are outgrowing her... 

looks like we may become a mini-van family 😳

A perfect match!

We couldn't help but notice tonite that Finn blends well with our new floors!

Mini Golf and some other fun

Yay, we celebrated buddy Caleb's birthday to day at a fun park in Memphis. Mini Golf, bumper boats and arcade. It was HOT but still fun!

Our little stinker...

Louisa decided to push a bead up her nose today after breakfast... just like her Aunt Becky did 40+ years ago... making our Friday to include a visit to the ENT for removal. Sweet big sis Cora read to her to keep her calm. She ended up blowing it out of her nose and landing it on the doc's arm, UGH!

(it was the red-orange oval one...)

Chick fil A day!

Harry Potter celebration at Collierville Library

Cora was in heaven today at the library! They had stations set up to celebrate Harry Potter. She made her own wand, sorcerer stone, owl mask and practiced some "herbology" by planting some rosemary.

Finn and Bonny

Sunbathing in my herb garden 😖

They're doing well at age 12 and protecting the backyard. In fact, they rid us of our first armadillo last week... I'll spare you that picture! 

After a LONG hiatus...

The Madea crew is back on blogger! Somehow life has gotten too fast for us to record the many memories we are creating. I am making an effort to change this... fingers crossed I can stick with it. If not, I'm sure the kids will happily contribute! They've gotten so big and independent. It's fun!

We spent the 4th of July in Gainesville GA with Greg's family (it's become the tradition...), along with watching a baseball game with fireworks and running the Peachtree 10K

 @ Gwinnett Braves (AAA team) game with cousin Caitlin

 MUCH earlier that morning... pre-Peachtree run

Cheering on Greg! Sadly I didn't run this year due to a nagging knee... fingers crossed I'll be back next year. 

We cheered between miles 2 & 3 (of 6.2)

... here come Duke and Paul!

Madea family reunion

Fun with Oba & Sofu

The girls were able to spend almost 2 weeks in Michigan with Oba and Sofu as our Collierville house underwent more "corrective healing" -- they had a blast!

 @ Trenton Summer Street Fair

 Happy "un-birthday" Party

Crafting...

 making bird feeders

 squirrel trespasser

 Petting farm

 annual Horse ride @ Elizabeth Park

Newborn calf @ Calder's farm

 with Neighborhood friends

Tea Party time!

 Lake Erie

back in Memphis @ Redbird's game!

When the kids are away...

My folks agreed to keep the girls for a couple of weeks as we aim to get our house back in order since the floors have been redone. We met in Louisville KY for the "swap" and on our way home we finally felt okay to hop in the Bourbon trail! We also stopped at our favorite Hot Chicken restaurant in Nashville...

 pork nachos with Jim Beam BBQ sauce... YUM!