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!

Vacation Bible School

Memphis Zoo

 We went to the zoo today with Caroline

 Baby giraffe

 Hippo from above

 Baby hippo "Winnie"

Panda

Emi turns 6!

Emi celebrated her Golden Birthday this year! We had a fun day of events that started at the Dentist where she got to lose her first tooth! She was thrilled... We had lunch at Arby's (her fav) and went swimming at the YMCA in the afternoon. Evening was complete with cake and FaceTime with the Grandparents.