Ivy Green

Another month has passed!  I can't believe it's July already and the kids will be starting back to school in a month!  The summer always goes so fast!

I'm way behind so I'll start with an adventure Cam and I had back in June.  Doug was gone on a racing trip for a few days so Cameron stayed with me.  We had lots of activities that week including a couple of fishing trips and swimming, but one day we drove to Tuscumbia, AL.

First we had lunch at Chick-fil-a with Kaydee, Luke and Darby.  We couldn't go to that area without a quick visit with them.  Always fun to spend time with them.

Then  we went on to Ivy Green, Helen Keller's birthplace.

This is the main home where the Keller family lived.  You can see the little house to the right.

Out back was the water pump where Helen first learned the word "water."

This is the little house where Anne Sullivan and Helen lived.  Helen had no idea how close it was to her parents' house.

These are some of the actual dresses of Helen's.

One of the statues on the grounds.

The grounds are beautiful and very well maintained.

Lots of beautiful flowers like these hydrangeas.

Ivy Green was very interesting and well done.  Most of the furniture in the homes was original.  We learned a lot about Helen Keller, which Cameron will study in school this year.

After Ivy Green, we drove to downtown Tuscumbia to an old fashioned ice cream parlor, a former drug store.

There were lots of flavors.

Cameron chose the orange pineapple.

It was fun to sit at the counter and observe people.  The place was quite busy.

We drove the short distance to Spring Park.  This waterfall is beautiful and a great photo spot.  Lots of wedding and senior pictures have been taken here.

It was designed by Audwin McGee.  He is quite an artist and is married to Jack Haye's cousin.  We met him years ago.  Such a talented man.

Cameron climbed to the top...from the back side!

It was a fun day!

Cameron watches a lot of YouTube and always finds a craft or something to make when he's at my house.  He created this bird/swan (?) from a red delicious apple.

Good thing I got a picture because it didn't last very long!

Paige's 30th birthday luncheon

Paige's 30th birthday is actually June 9th but Karen planned an early birthday luncheon celebration on Saturday.  It was held at Ricatoni's in Florence.  Paige didn't know we would all be there and was surprised.

We sang Happy Birthday as she came in.

She got some beautiful gifts and cards with money.

Karen brought some yummy cupcakes!

Darby certainly enjoyed one!

Courtney had to work and couldn't make it.  We missed her.

Quite a group!  What a fun luncheon and great way to celebrate.

Paige's celebration continued as her mother surprised her with a trip to London and Paris!  They left on Tuesday, joined by Morgan and Courtney.  They will be in Paris for Paige's actual birthday.  I expect there will be another fabulous celebration there.  This will certainly be a birthday Paige will never forget!

We have been busy with baseball for the last few months.  Harrison's games ended Monday night with the championship game.  He pitched the whole game and even the first overtime inning, but unfortunately they lost in the second overtime.  They were very proud of how they performed though and Harrison did a great job!

It's a rainy day which I am so thankful for.  My plants and grass will be so happy!

Graduation and Carolyn's 80th birthday party

Today our Sam graduates from high school.  We are so proud of him!  He's a very smart young man and I know he has a great future!  He will be attending Mississippi State this fall on a full scholarship.  Go Bulldogs!

It's an exciting but bittersweet time!

Haven't graduation announcements changed since we were in high school?

Carolyn's 80th birthday was Wednesday.  I intended to post these pictures then but somehow never got around to it.  That happens a lot lately!

Her children gave her a lovely surprise birthday party a couple of weeks ago at the Botanical Gardens in Huntsville.  She was really surprised!

The Botanical Gardens was a gorgeous setting for the party.

The food as delicious!

The table settings were also beautiful.  Would you believe all of this is plastic?

The look on her face was priceless!  She thought she was coming to hear her grandson give a speech.
They really got her, which is hard to do!

Carolyn and Cameron.  He's almost as tall as she is!

Carolyn getting a hug from Luke.

These are Carolyn's three children.  Rick and Kathy live in Huntsville.  Geary, on the right, lives in Kwajalein.  He traveled a long way but his first grandchild, a granddaughter Rosemary, was born just a week before the party so he was able to combine the party and meeting Rosemary.

Max was really surprised too.

She got lots of money and I called her Wednesday to wish her a happy birthday and she was out shopping.  The money was burning a hole in her pocket!

She also got several gift cards which she loves.

Four sisters.

Kathy's family.

Kathy and her boys.  Her daughter who lives in Texas was unable to come.  Her husband is in the Army which makes it difficult for them to travel at times.

Karen's family.

Our family.  Heather wasn't able to come because of Sam's baccalaureate that day.

Sheila, Doug and Doug's mom.

Rick's family.

Pat and Dave.

Geary and his friend Pam.

It's weekend again.  Where does the time go?  Have a good one!