End of the Summer Fun....

We finished off the summer at the beach until the bitter end. We spent the last two weekend spending time with our family and regrouping on the sand and in the surf.

We didn't really have anything concrete planned for the summer, but we managed to fill in the spaces with a lot of adventure. We spent the first part of our summer heading North to Charleston, South Carolina then the mountains of North Carolina. We then did a direct route to the beaches of Longboat Key. No matter what, we always seem to end up on sand. Busch Gardens was a huge hit... and even managed some day trips locally. There always seemed something to do.

What better way to finish up the summer ....

Then barefoot.... and sand between the toes....

Guess who is Riding a bike!

We had a lot to celebrate this July. It is so hard to keep track of so many "special"dates... but there are a few extra special dates that we share with our children that mean a lot to us. It was three years ago today that we made a very long and adventurous journey to meet a little girl in a remote orphanage at the base of the Ural mountains. Little did we know that this girl would impact our lives so profoundly. She has this magnetic personality that makes you want to always have her by your side and can get any one of us laughing out loud at her confident and clever ways. We have learned so much about sequence... nail color... fashion... and accessorizing... the list goes on. She claims that SHE is in charge of jewelry. She brings new meaning to "girlyness" and adds an entirely new essence to our family.

It was no surprise to us that on this special day... she would load her thigh high black boots and pleather (yes pleather) purple dress (with matching hat that HAD to go under the helmet) onto her bike and for the first time ride WITHOUT training wheels.

I say that she is able to ride without training wheels but I am not claiming any advance skills in her steering. You do however have some time to get out of her path as she will be yelling, "I am so CRAZY" while pedaling all over the place. So now Chris and I are down to running behind three bikers on our runs. It is pretty cool and much much easier not having to push a stroller.

I am pretty sure she gets her riding skills from me.... :) Chris may beg to differ...

July Update ... 2010

It has been one of those summers that you don't plan a single thing yet you have so much to do.
Our kids have graciously labeled our summers, "Camp Carey." We are fortunate to live near natures most wonderful playground.... the beach.... and that is where have have spent most of our days.

We have spent some time over on the west coast of Florida visiting my parents and spending some time at Busch Gardens. My dad went with me two days and it was an absolutely blast. I am proud to report that he rode the SheiKra roller coaster and was the "Rock Star" of the trip. Garrett simply did not understand why he was not allowed on the ride. I swear, that kid has NO fear!! Unless of course a spider is around.

While Pop Pop was off with Jordan and Garrett riding the more daring rides.... I was lucky enough to land the higher maintenance kid of the group. We waited over 50 minutes to ride the Grover roller coaster ride (which was much the same pace as the Wedway people mover at Disney) in the blistering heat. Only to decide... Nope not for me when it was finally our turn to ride. She later told me that she was saving herself for SheiKra. yeah right!

This past weekend Nana took the kids and I to see Seussical the Musical. I never thought the kids would sit through this type of show, but they were completely mesmerized by the real characters and the all you can eat ice cream bar!

I absolutely love not being on any kind of schedule..... Summer rocks!!!