Feelin' HOT HOT HOT

The heat index is already up to 103 degrees so we are hanging in the house today! Yesterday, we beat the heat with some friends at the Discovery Center. The next three days we have softball practice from 8-2. I sure do hope that everyone stays safe and nobody gets overheated. We have an indoor facilty and are planning on moving indoors during the second half of practice. Some of the girls are not in the best shape, so I am going to be keeping an eye on them.

Daniel has just started his hardest class of the MBA program, finance. It is a very intense five weeks. Brady and I leave Saturday morning for the beach and will be gone for a week. This should allow Daniel to get some major homework time in. I know he will be missing us and is so sad to miss out on the fun. We have already been talking about a trip for next summer to celebrate his graduation and also our 5 year wedding anniversary. Until then, no fun for Daniel!

We were able to sneak out of town last weekend to Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Several Clark's made it to town to celebrate Grandma Clark's 85th birthday. We had a great time with Daniel's uncles and cousins.

Our first night in Missouri we stayed with Daniel's cousin Ryan and his wife Amanda. They have the sweetest children, Logan and Kilynn. Brady loved to hug Logan and was saying "Ky Ky" the rest of the weekend!

Below are all the Clark's that were able to make it to town for Grandma's 85th birthday party. Grandma is in the yellow front and center.

This was everyone's reaction when we were finally done trying to get the picture!

Panama City Beach, FL

I was a bit nervous for Brady to take his first ride on an airplane. I'm happy to report that I still haven't found anything that he is afraid of! He was so excited to see all the airplanes at the airport. I'm not sure if he even realized we were on a plane. Between looking out the window and watching Elmo movies we were able to keep him entertained, and the other passengers sane.

We spent our days in Florida at the beach, pool or eating seafood. Brady really liked the beach, and didn’t seem to mind the salt water at all. Daniel and I were able to sneak away for some alone time, which was really nice. Big Dan wanted to rent an electric car, so we did that on the last day. The boys drove around eating ice cream while Sue and I went shopping.

This was the perfect trip to prepare us for next months Russell Reunion. That flight will be a lot longer, and we will be staying for an entire week. Also, my sister Katie will be my help instead of Daniel. I hope she’s ready!

Here are some pictures that highlight our trip…

Brady's first flight

Fun at the pool...

Pier Park. You can't tell, but Brady and Daniel are on the train.

Beach Fun...

Eating Out

Big Dan's Electric Car

We had a wonderful time at the beach, and can't wait to get back!

Celebrating Father's...

Brady and I were fortunate to celebrate Father's Day with the very important men in our lives. We are so lucky to live close to our family. I can't imagine how much harder motherhood would be if I didn't have these great people around!

Big Dan, Brady and Daniel

Daniel, Brady and my Dad at the duck race.

Mom, Brady and Tim (I LOVE this one!)

Tim, Brady and Daniel

Austin and his girlfriend Brittney

Sisters (Missing our brother, who has been very busy with work lately- it's that time of year)

Tomorrow morning we leave for Panama City Beach. There will be lots of packing today and preparing Brady for his first airplane ride! Fingers crossed for no temper tantrums! Saturday is Michelle's birthday, so we would like to wish her a very Happy Birthday!

My Little Farmer

Thursday nights I play softball on my co-ed team. It is a nice way to have some adult time. Grammy and Grandpa live right by the softball park, so Brady goes and visits with them while I play. When I went to pick him up this morning, we spent some time with the farm animals.

This child loves farm animals! I dread the day that he screams and cries because he doesn't want to leave Grammy and Grandpa's farm.

We constantly joke about how Brady walks just like his Uncle Hunter, with his hands behind his back. Funny enough, this is how I caught them both standing this morning.

He also loves to give the ponies and horse their water.

We couldn't leave before getting one last ride with Grandpa!

Goodbye Cicada's, hello backyard!

Thirteen years ago I was 15 years old, spending every day outdoors playing travel ball or lifeguarding. Looking back, I don't have the slightest recollection of the Cicada's ever bothering me. This go round was a different story. Two weeks ago, I completely gave up on the yard work because I couldn't handle them flying into my face. After all my days of playing ball, being a camp counselor and living outdoors, you would think bugs as harmless as Cicada's would be the least of my worries. As I sit here by my back door, I can finally enjoy the summer night sound again. All that remains of the red eye insect is well, cicada "remains". Brady will be sad that they are gone because he really liked them, but Daniel and I are jumping for joy as we finally get to enjoy our back yard again...

For those of you that aren't from this area, here is a glimpse of the aftermath of our Cicada visitors.

Brady had his friend Ava over to have water play in the back yard.

Now that the Cicada's are gone, the birds are going through their feeders so fast that I am having to refill them every day!

On a deeper note, it makes me sad to think that the next time we see those particular Cicada's, my little angel below will be a fifteen year old teenager. Tear. :(

Lizzie is loving the summer!

Brady and Lizzie getting some R and R after a long summer day...