Bartonville Fish Fry!

This is always necessary any time you ask the girls to walk anywhere! Their little legs get so tired! :-)

Stella and Olivia ridng the train!

Olivia and Kaleigh riding the cars...honking the most annoying horns!

Stella and Olivia in front, with Parker and Kaleigh bringing up the rear!

We met Derrick and Angie and Shell, Tim and the kids tonight for the Bartonville Fish Fry. As usual, the kids had a blast and enjoyed riding all the rides and playing the games. We had to limit the number of games they could play, otherwise they would have spent the entire night playing. The other thing they really enjoyed was the funhouse. As uncoordinated as Olivia is, she absolutely loved this house, and finally got to the point she wasn't falling out of the tunnel at the end. It was hilarious to watch her attempt it several times before she got it! :-) All in all, another successful Fish Fry!

Noah's Ark - Open House

I didn't get any pictures tonight, but we had the Open House for Olivia's preschool tonight. It went really well and we got to meet all the teachers and Director of the school. The place is really nice and actually just recently renovated, so everything was brand new and in great condition. There was so much for the kids to do, and the information they provided was fantastic. They basically went through the guidebook and rules and processes they go through during the school year. The Director was very enthusiastic and seemed to love her job, which is always a positive thing. It went very well, and I really think Olivia is going to enjoy this place!!

Movie in the Park!

Yes, we actually made the kids stop playing on the playground for a picture!

Parker was in a time-out...at the park! It kills me to see him so sad, but he deserved it!

Action shot!

They love each other...the three muskateers!

Aunt Shell and I took the kids to the park today and discovered they were going to be having a movie in the park, so of course we had to stay for that. However, it must have been too long a day for Olivia, cause we ended up having to leave early. She got pretty fussy and would not sit still, and kept getting in everyone else's way, so we decided to leave early. No worries for me, we had a long day!!

Random photos at home...

I think we should get her into lessons soon!

Such a talented girl!

Apparently she is giving me the okay??

Mackinaw Valley Vineyard

Parker and Olivia getting ready for their night out on the town!

The kiddos had a great time near the lake!

Patrick and Crystal

Aunt Shell and Olivia

Jeff and Tara

Daddy and Uncle Tim

Mommy and her girl

Dancing machines...

...on the dance floor all night long!

The Gang

Daddy and his little sweety!

We had decided a while ago to ask several of our friends to the Mackinaw Valley Vineyard. We were originally looking forward to a night out with the kids, but then decided they would have fun too! So, we packed up a goody bag for all the kids, and a cooler for the adults and we were off! The kids had so much fun near the lake, and then with the band. They were dancing the night away, and so were the girls! It was a great time, but I think next time we will do it without the kids for a date night!!

Just hanging out...

Aunt Shell and the kids came over to play for a while tonight, but not before a little snooze! Such a sweet little face!

Another sweet face from Olivia!

Playing in the sandbox...still a favorite from all the kiddos!

And of course, you have to think safety first...even in the sandbox!

Cheese grin from Miss Kaleigh!

Popsicles anyone??

Daddy's little helper!

Miss Olivia took a seat next to Daddy while he was working on the doorbell.

So, after our short little vacation, it was right back to work. On the house, that is. We are wanting to put it up for sale, so there are several things we want to do prior to selling it. One thing Daddy was working on tonight was a new doorbell. And, he had his little assistant to help him. Well, she was actually reading him a book while he was dong all the work. It was the sweetest thing, she actually told him she wanted to read to him while he was working, which I thought was adorable!

Pictures from Royal Gorge and our last day!

Our campsite for breakfast in the mountains...amazing!

The family...

Mommy on a rock!

Posing again!

Gma and Gpa The bridge across the Royal Gorge...so scary!

The river at the bottom of the gorge...

These are the crazy people that actually were on the swing, which goes out over the gorge, and not to mention it was storming that day! Crazy!

Guylynn, Dani and Shell under the tree, getting out of the rain!

At the souvenir shop...being silly as usual!

Nice photo opportunity??

Out for pizza!

The girls at the house...oldest to youngest! Last moment for a picture!!

Royal Gorge, shopping and fun!

Today we decided to get up, get things packed up, and have breakfast in the mountains...it just doesn't get any better than that! It was so neat, and just about a 15 minute drive from their house. So, that was even better! We found a nice little open spot, and did some more hiking and sight seeing while breakfast was being made. What better way to start the day than memosa's in the mountains! And, we also found some nice rocks for more pictures! Had a little trouble getting up this time, but we did it!

After breakfast, we drove to the Royal Gorge. This was a place they took Shane and I when we came out to visit several years ago. So, we thought it would be fun again, however it did start to rain on the way there, so wasn't sure how much we would be able to do! Nonetheless, we didn't turn back and did have a great time anyway. Again, it was all about the company. While we were there, we saw people riding the big swing out across the gorge, and saw the train riding through the bottom as well, so that was really cool. But, again it started to rain, so we managed to wait under a tree for a little bit, and then made it to the car! We didn't have a chance to stay there long cause of the rain, but had fun just the same!

On the way home, we stopped at some souvenir shops to get some things for the kids. Even there, we had a ball hanging out together! And, we found a nice photo backdrop for some pictures! After shopping, we stopped at one of their favorite pizza places and had a great time at lunch! And...more pictures!! We were started to get a little sad knowing we had to get back on the road for home tomorrow, but that certainly didn't stop us! We got home and played more cards that night and had a ball...Davis style!!!

This trip was so much fun and long overdue! We had missed them so much since they moved and it had been a while since we'd seen them. So, the surprise went off without a hitch and we were all sad when we had to say goodbye the next morning! We cannot wait to do it again...soon!!!

The pictures from our last day are listed below.

Pictures of our drive through the mountains...

Aunt Guylynn trying to avoid the camera!

Shell and I taking our own picture!

Posing by the lake...

...same lake, different spot!

By the tree...

On our trip through the mountains!

Sweet Gabby!

More posing in the woods, near Lake Isabel.

Mommy, Aunt Shell and Gabby

The girls

All the girls...

Aunt Shell, Uncle Joe and Mommy

Our picnic site at Lake Isabel

Say cheese!

Lake Isabel

Bishop's Castle...a view from the top...or at least from how high I was able to go!

Inside the castle, these were stained glass windows, which I believe some of the tourists made throughout the years.

Inside the castle...

A view from the bottom looking up towards the top!

You can see the very steep stairs you have to take to get to the inside....yikes!

It truly is amazing to see this and know that it was all built by hand from one guy!

This is him in all his crazy glory!

A deer right along side of the road!

Posing on a rock alongside the road! Gabby's turn!

More deer...the boys would have been in heaven!

Taking an ice cream break!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!