VBS, Art Camp and Sweet Moments

Summer is off to great start with these two at the same camp. And they are loving it. 

This past week, Elliot's preschool church held their annual Vacation Bible Study (VBS) and the kids were excited to attend. This year's theme was ROAR - Life is wild, God is good. As usual, many volunteer hours were spent to prepare for a fun week for hundreds of local kids. The event is free and lasted and every weekday evening the children were there for 2.5 hours dancing, singing, playing games and learning more about God. Look at those decorations:

Amelia and Elliot were happy that their friends, Nora and Kellan, could join them at VBS too. 

While the children were at VBS, Mommy and Daddy had the chance to get a date night in: Thai food dinner and then perusing the bookstore with my favorite guy. 

While for most of the summer, the children attend the Y camp, Amelia also had one week of Art camp in June. Our little artist was looking forward to that camp a whole year and had fun being creative. Payton, her friend, was there as well. 

When Captain America joins you for breakfast, aka Superhero Week at camp while his sister was at Art camp:

We celebrated our Daddy on Father's Day because he is just the BEST:

Our friends also just got these adorable little kittens and we had to go visit them for some cat cuddles: 

Pet day at the local pet store. We met a bearded dragon named Beans. 

We love our summer time. Staying up late, catching fireflies, swimming, and just being on a more relaxed schedule. 

Before the month ended, we went to the beach again. It never gets old:

So much fun in the fun. We are truly enjoying our summer. More adventures to come. 

Weekend Vibes and a Tornado

On weekends we like to relax, get some projects done around the house and meet up with friends. Earlier this month, while Amelia and Daddy were at karate class, Elliot and I and our Austrian friends met at a farmer's market. It was hot but homemade ice-cream cooled us off and we ended up buying some delicious peaches. 

Enjoying the patio while the temperatures in the shade are still bearable.

The first Saturday in June, two girlfriends and I met up to go out to eat. Once in a while we like to try  new, mostly vegan/vegetarian, places in town. The food at The Wild Cow was outstanding and we didn't miss the meat at all. 

Since the night was still young, we decided to head downtown to see what was going on. Broadway was full of people, lots of bridal parties, and all the bars were crowded too. 

We listened to some music and people watched and I discovered that I'm not made for this crowd. Too many drunk people for my taste. But on the way out, Sonya decided to ride the bull at the karaoke bar. And we saw some awesome street dancers. 

The next weekend, Emily and I had planned a girl's trip to a local nursery. I love rose bushes and the nursery has quite a great selection. I ended up buying a beautiful David Austin rose to plant next to my mailbox.

Next up some great, clean teriyaki food and ice-cream for dessert before going to a home store and then heading back home. Loved spending time with my friend.

While I was out, Derrick and the kids went to the YMCA. Amelia started taking karate classes twice a week and while she was in class, the boys played some foosball and basketball. 

Evening reading time. Even our guinea pigs are listening. 

We also like to play Monopoly as a family:

Yesterday evening I went to a Jazz festival with some friends from church and to celebrate Emily's birthday. Rain was in the forecast for later in the evening but as soon as we got the first cup of beer and started on our food, the skies darkened. 

In a matter of minutes, a huge storm front moved in and before it got worse, we were able to move our food table to a nearby barn. The wind picked up and everyone was scrambling to get out of the open area. Trash cans and chairs were already flying around and last minute I decided to visit a portable toilet. It was scary in there and everything rattled but luckily I made it out safely. Just in time as a tornado descended nearby. 

During a break in the weather, we made a run for the car and drove to another restaurant where the celebration continued. No tornado is ending our night announced. Happy birthday, Emily! 

It was definitely one of the most fun and partly scariest evening in a while.

Symphony at the Lake

Every summer, the Nashville Symphony hosts a free summer concert series across town. Yesterday evening they came to the Historic Rock Castle and we were looking forward to a picnic with friends while listening to some great classical, free music. Boats docked nearby so people can enjoy the music on the water:

An evening with friends is always better:

Testing out some instruments prior to the concert. And Elliot met his friend Nolan and had fun playing ball on the field. 

Even the youngest enjoyed the evening. This is our third year in a row attending and for the first time, the weather was really lovely. Cooler evening and low humidity made this a great outing. 

Prettiest backdrop:

Gorgeous sunset over the lake while the musicians performed their last song. We will be back next year!