This summer we had several thunderstorms. Jared hates thunderstorms. Kevin sleeps right them, as does Jenna most of the time. Even when they don't, they stay in their rooms. Not Jared. He is terrified. Several nights he ended up in our room or bed. One night he and Derek sat in the Master Bath and read books because he was so scared he wanted to be in a room with no windows. :)
This is him sleeping in our bed one morning after a night with a thunderstorm.
One of the things that attracted us to the Raleigh area was the proximity to an LDS temple (we are about 17 minutes from the Raleigh Temple). We thought it would be fun to take the kids over one Sunday to see the temple. We had a great time walking around and taking pictures.
Amanda and Derek. Kevin took this picture. He did a good job.
Kevin, Jenna, Derek, and Jared at the temple grounds. It took several tries to get a picture with them all looking at the camera and smiling.
We wanted to get a family picture. We were the only ones there though, so we had to get creative. We all sat very close, and leaned in. It took several tries, but we did it! Jenna, Kevin, Jared, Derek, and Amanda.
One week over the summer I bought a bunch a crafts for the kids to do. They loved them. I thought they would last us for weeks, but the kids had them all finished in less than a week. Jenna got a little creative with her stickers. :)
Derek and I promised the kids that we would take them camping sometime this summer. Since the beginning of the school year was getting closer and closer, we decided to make good on the promise. We found a lake near our home where we could camp (Jordan Lake). Derek found out that they have hike-in campsites. They aren't too much of a hike, and the campsites are more private and spread out. Plus each site has a trail leading to your own "private beach." I use that term loosely because other people can (and do) access those areas by boat, so there is no guarantee that you will be the only one there. Other people did come to use "our" beach, but not until we were already packing up to go home. We had a great time camping and swimming. We also learned a few things about needing better gear for a hike-in site. We hope to go back again next summer.
Jenna in the tent. She decorated the hat, and loved wearing it.
Jared in the tent. He is often a bit nervous when we are camping.
Kevin in the tent. He loves camping.
This is our camping site. Isn't it beautiful? I love the east!
This is the same site from a different angle. This little path led to the "private beach."
The "private beach." We checked every single campsite in this area until we found the best beach. Unfortunately that meant a 1/2 mile hike in with our stuff, but it was totally worth it.
A view of Jordan Lake from our campsite.
We were right by a Bald Eagle habitat. This was the best picture I could get of the Bald Eagles.
Kevin, Jared, and Jenna enjoying our "private beach"
Kevin turned 7 on August 19. It is crazy to think that in less than 1 year he will be baptized and begin attending scouts. On his birthday we invited some friends to the park to play and have cupcakes. It was a little rainy, but everyone came anyway, and the weather cleared enough for them to have about an hour to play.
I am so glad that Kevin is a part of our family. He is such a great kid. He was so helpful with Jenna on her first few days of school. He sits with her on the bus both to and from school. He offered to walk her to her class so that she wouldn't get lost (they actually had adults waiting to walk the Kindergarteners, but he was willing). Right now he loves to read (especially "Boxcar Children" books) and play baseball. He also enjoys riding his bike with his dad (Derek runs while Kevin bikes). We love you Kevin!
Birthday Boy
Kevin knew what this was as soon as I brought it out. For over a year he has been begging for a skateboard. It is hard to wrap a skateboard so that it doesn't look like one. :) He also got pads to go along with it.
Look at that smile. He was in Heaven. :)
On Kevin's birthday we celebrated with cupcakes. The Saturday following his birthday we went to a lake nearby and rented a boat, and did a little fishing. Then we had his real cake.
Kevin's real birthday cake. He told me exactly what he wanted, and I did the best I could. He was very happy with it. (The baseball team that he is currently on is the Tides).
This is Jared using Kevin's new skateboard before Kevin. Kevin didn't actually know this until he saw the picture. Then he was pretty annoyed. However, it is a cute picture. :)
Jared and one of his many expressions
Jenna
School has officially started for all of my children now. Kevin is in second grade this year. Jenna is in Kindergarten. Jared is in preschool. That means I have 6 hours each week with no children. :) Admittedly, I miss them, but I try to take advantage of that time. That means that I grocery shop without children. I also clean the house without it getting messed up right away. I have other responsibilities during that time too. I have church work to do. Plus I am trying to volunteer in Kevin and Jenna's classes. I am one of Kevin's room parents. I think I am going to like this. :)
Jenna on her first day of Kindergarten. She is going all day. She is struggling a bit. She doesn't like being away that long. Plus, she had an amazing preschool teacher, so she is a little bored right now. I hope that will change as the year goes on.
Kevin and Jenna on Jenna's first day of Kindergarten (Kevin's third day of second grade)
Jared asked me to put his blanket on his head using his belt (we did this at Christmas time, and I guess he remembered)
He is the funniest kid.
I love this kid.
Jared's first day of preschool. He is going to school two days each week for three hours each day.
Kevin has started another season of baseball. This league is kid pitch (until 3 balls, and then the coach pitches - no walks). They don't keep score. Everyone plays every position except pitcher and first base. Those positions the players have to try out for. They only play for 65 minutes. I think this will be a good learning opportunity for Kevin. It will allow him to try out some new positions without any pressure.
Kevin Batting
Kevin got to play his first game of the season under the lights. Very cool.
Last weekend on Labor day we went back to Virginia so that I could run the Charlottesville Women's 4-miler. I have always wanted to do that, but it is very difficult to get into. 3500 people ran/walked it, but it filled within 48 hours. If you don't know it opened, you don't get in. This race is to raise money for breast cancer. I am not great at fundraising because I hate asking people for money. Thank you to the people that contributed. If anyone else is interested in contributing, they are accepting donations until September 15th. To donate, go to http://www.dominiondigital.com/womens4miler/donations.asp Then click on "Make a Donation." Under "Donation Type" click "I want to Sponser a Runner." Then put in my last name, and they will bring up all the people with the last name Davis. Find me, Amanda M. You can donate any amount (they list some set amounts, but they also have a spot for any amount).
The race actually went really well for me. It was my fastest post high school min/mile race ever. My time was 30:19. That is about 7:35min/mile. I didn't know that I could run that fast. I feel so blessed to have had a great race. I was 59th overall (out of 3500 people). I was 11th in my age division. In this race they give out awards based on percentages, so I actually won an award. It is the only time in my life that I have won an award for running. It was cool. Thankfully I turned 30 this year because it bumped me up to a higher age category. If I had been in the 25-29 age group, I wouldn't have won an award. I guess there are some benefits to getting older. I am grateful for a supportive husband and children, and a good running partner. :)
This is not an overly flattering picture, but it is the only one we have from the race. I am in the blue shirt. This is at the very end, and yes, I beat both of them. I have been blessed with a strong kick. That works to my advantage at the end of races. :)
