Pickwick with the Nichols

We had so much fun on our last trip before school started!! We met our wonderful friends, The Nichols, at Pickwick Lake. We first met Jim and Shelley about 9 years ago, when their son Jonathan was a baby. We had just moved to Greenville, SC for residency, and met them in Sunday School. After all these years they still want to be our friends, and we are so thankful they drove 8 hours to spend a vacation with us!! They also have precious twin boys (Jim wouldn't appreciate me calling them "precious") Will and Jacob. We all had such a good time, and our kids loved hanging out with them.

Jonathan and Will? or Jacob?

Not the best picture, but the only time we could get all of them, (excluding Sam) to be still long enough for a picture together.

"I'm Driving!!"

A huge accomplishment - Sarah Caroline knee-boarding. Marcus and I traumatized Sarah Caroline last summer by trying to "make" her learn to ski. We ended that day with her threatening to go live with Sally Grace and let Mr. Kurt and Miss Jane Clair be her daddy and momma. Needless to say, we will never force that issue again, but this trip she did get brave enough to try a new watersport!

This is a shot of the highlight of our trip - a "show" put on by the kids!! They danced and did the train, and showed several breakdance moves to "We are Family" and other fun songs!

I attempted to put a video on here, but I think it was too long. Maybe later I'll figure it out. It was pretty entertaining!
I just realized I didn't have any pictures of the grownups! This is a picture from January of Shelley and me together in Chattanooga. Our husbands got together and surprised us with a trip to see each other - aren't they great husbands?!!

Birmingham Blast!

In July we had a special treat to spend the weekend in Birmingham. We stayed at a beautiful resort, Ross Bridge, and enjoyed every minute. Well, except for the minutes that Luke was coughing during the night. They have a great pool with a fun water slide, and that alone kept us entertained for hours. On Saturday we visited the zoo, which as you can see we met some birds up close and personal. The kids thought we had really gone on a big trip, although we weren't far from home. A great treat for mid-summer fun!

Really Behind

I do realize I am so behind with my blogging. Not that anyone is just tapping their fingers waiting on an update, but here I go with six weeks worth of action in the Ueltschey Family!!

Boys Day Out with Talmadge

Luke was treated to a very special day with his Uncle Talmadge yesterday! It all started when he told us a few days ago that Talmadge was going to take him to play golf, and do "a lot of fun stuff." Talmadge agreed to take Luke out for a day of "fun stuff", and "fun stuff" was what he got!!! They started at McDonalds for breakfast, then Chuck E Cheese for games, then to the driving range at the Country Club. After that they went out for lunch. Ben was going to be included for the "fun stuff" but woke up with fever and was pretty sick most of the day. Talmadge was kind enough to say this is only the first BDO and there will be more to come. Check out the video of Luke's swing on their blog, http://www.katieandtalmadge.blogspot.com/. It was a very special day - one that Luke will remember for a long time! Thanks, Uncle Talmadge.

A Fun Fourth!

Cassie Ray, our favorite dog!


Sam found a new friend: Dr. Hilbun

Graham and Sam waiting for the parade with Mimi

Ben, Luke and Mia Katherine

Ben

Luke

We had a great time at our neighborhod Almost Annual Popsicle Parade! We started off the morning hosting a breakfast at our house, which of course I don't have any pics of. It was fun to visit with the neighbors, and we enjoyed all of the yummy food brought! Then the kids walked over to Mrs. Jeanie Lagrone's for the festivities. They sang the national anthem, said the pledge and she introduced "Uncle Sam", "Lady Liberty", and the Grand Marshals of the parade. The parade was complete with police escort, a Waste Management truck (i think the "theme" this year was recycling), a fire truck, a trailer with porch swings on it with various area "celebrities" such as Church St Principal Miss Collins, followed by lots of bike riders, wagon pullers, scooter pushers, strollers, etc. All of this was led by Mrs. Jeanie decked out in a sequined drum major outfit twirling a baton. For those of you who don't know Mrs. Jeanie, well, let's just say she is retirement age. Although, she is very young at heart, and the other day we passed her and Ben said "There is that girl that lives in our neighborhood!" She was thrilled by his comment! The Hilbuns (a third set of grandparents) and my parents and Graham joined us for this fun event!

Sarah Caroline's Catch

After the parade we headed to Forest for the weekend. Marcus took the kids fishing at their pond, and Sarah Caroline caught this bass that you see! She did catch it by herself, but if you will notice in the picture she did not want to hold it for the picture! She also learned how to drive the all-terrain golf cart while we were there. And of course we ate lots of home cooked vegetables, a chocolate cake, homemade ice cream and a chess pie while we were there.

Visit With Graham

Isn't he just so cute?

Sam isn't sure about Graham!

Sam did love Graham's passy.

Graham, Rebecca and Justin's baby, came to Tupelo for a visit while they celebrated their anniversary. We got to keep Graham one morning, and our kids loved having him! He is a really sweet baby and was so happy and smiley! He really loved Sarah Caroline, and was constantly entertained with all the action in our home. Luke and Ben commented that he probably thinks our house is wild! And I guess it is! Graham, you are welcome any time!! We miss you!

Hmmm...Hmmm..Good!

Sam sure does love some strawberries!! No need in cutting them up for him- he prefers them whole and just eats them as fast as he can! We went to the Symphony in the Grove at Ole Miss last weekend, and took a picnic with friends Jenny, Kevin, Carlyle, Rhett, and Savannah Smith! The kids had a great time catching lightning bugs, and Sam just ate strawberries and other picnic treats. It was a fun summer night!

Church Street Wedding

Sarah Caroline's first grade teacher, Miss McCain, got married last weekend! She and Mia Katherine were so excited to see her marry "Super Trey", who also works at Church St. School. Also at the wedding were classmates Paxton, Mack, Savannah, and Tamiya. They all had a great time and had looked forward to this big event for many months! Miss McCain was a wonderful teacher, and was such a blessing to us all this year. Now we'll have to get used to calling her Mrs. Wyatt! Best Wishes, Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt!!!

Would You Like to Buy Some Lemonade?

Last week the kids decided to be little entrepeneurs..... a lemonade stand was set up along with some snacks for sale. They made a few dollars thanks to some friendly neighbors coming by. They were really looking for Mr. John, the tree cutter who gave them $5 a cup last summer, but he wasn't around this week. A few days later they wanted to make a little more money, and before I knew it they were outside selling books! Good books! For one dollar each.....obviously they did not realize some of the book were recently bought for $10-$15 each. I ended that sale a little earlier than they would have liked, but they did have a good time while it lasted. Now if we can just teach them to save the money they have earned!!

Father/Daughter Ball

Sarah Caroline had a special treat recently...the annual Father/Daughter Ball. Marcus took her last year for the first time, and they quickly learned that this is an annual event they won't want to miss! The ball is complete with formal pics taken, music for dancing, princesses available to sign autographs, a silent auction, a station to decorate their own cupcakes, etc. She loved every minute of it! I wish I had a better picture of her beautiful dress- it is adorned with "crystal" beads on the bodice, and is just what any princess would love to wear. She wore this same dress last year, but we did update it with some new accessories! She wore a pink rhinestone bracelet, a tiara, and the shoes were to die for! They were clear heels and a silver heart shaped "charm" hanging from the silver straps. She says she did suffer from a few blisters because of the new shoes, but she said they were worth it! She loved it, and I am so thankful for such a special time for them to spend together. She says "Thank you, Daddy, for taking me!"