After Josh came home for R & R, we immediately went to the beach with Lindy's family. The kids have had a blast. BJ has NO fear of the water or the waves. Cady likes the ocean as well, but is not crazy about the salty water. She prefers the pool. We have gotten to enjoy some excellent seafood as well as just some relaxing time together as a family. We have lots more planned for the next couple of weeks before Josh returns.

Josh came home for R & R!!!! He arrived in Atlanta on Thursday, July 17th at 7:30 in the morning after 4 days of traveling. The kids were so excited to see him. BJ ran right up to him and gave him a big hug. Cady was a little shy at first, but immediately warmed up to him. They were excited to show him the airplanes that were landing outside of our hotel window. They will not let their daddy out of their sight, including sleeping with him at night. They are enjoying their daddy time!!!

Happy 4th of July! We got to watch fireworks two times this year. We watched fireworks on the 3rd in downtown Clarksville by the river. The kids were not too thrilled with them. We were really close to the action, which was loud and scary for the kiddos. They were afraid they were going to get burned due to a sparkler incident at a wedding a couple of months ago. The next night we went on post and watched them from a distance, which the kids loved. I think in the end they had a great time and will be excited to watch them next year!

BJ and Cady started swimming lessons last week. These pictures of are their first day. BJ takes his in the morning with his buddy, TY, and seems to enjoy it. Cady is in the mommy and toddler class, so I get to join her. She is also doing well. They are learning to kick, use their arms, and get in and out of the pool among other skills. Before this is through, I think the kids will have grown fins! We have been in the water for five days straight for several hours and have another week to go! The joys of summer!!!!

We visited the park today at the Fair Grounds. The kids love riding their tricycles, playing on the helicopter, feeding the ducks, sliding, swinging, and just being silly! They got to talk to their daddy while we were at the park. They told him that they can't wait until he can come play with them at the park!!! Afterwards, we went for ice cream to top off our fun day!!!

We have just completed two weeks of VBS! One

week at Josh's parents church in south GA and

one week at our church here in Tennessee. We

have had a blast, but are completely worn out!

This is the last picture that we had taken as a family at the pumpkin farm before Josh deployed, thus the sunflowers in the background and our orange and black shirts! We are looking forward to Josh's return home for R & R in mid July so that we can take more pictures together as a family!!!