6th Birthday

Elaina has been 6 for almost 3 weeks now and I am just now getting time to get to posting pics of the big day.

As always, it was a 4-5 day extravaganza.  Every year I do and every year I say I won't do it again.  This time I mean it....stay tuned to next year to see if I kept my word or not.

With the July 4th holiday right before her birthday, the 4th celebration that we usually have at the Stringfellow's house turns into a mini birthday celebration for Elaina.  So, for the event, we made a cake....

Not the prettiest cake but we had fun making it

Then, we headed to the Stringfellows for the day to celebrate the 4th.  It was a rainy day and weekend.....and I mean RAINY.  Not one of those shower then it's over kind of days....it rained all day for 4 days....

Preparing to blow out the candle on the cake

You can tell by the look on her face she was excited to get this Hello Kitty bowl/plate set

She got the long awaited stuffy she had been wanting.....

Cute dress....from Aunt Melinda

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Then 2 days later on her actual birthday we started out with birthday breakfast (at her request).....

Cinnamon rolls....

Later that day we planned a pool party for a few of her closest friends at our friend's Sabrina and Carl's house.  But, the rain messed those plans up.  So, we had the kids over for a little bit to play, and eat/decorate cakes/cupcakes....then, we went to the movies

The awesome cake Sabrina and Carl made for Elaina

So, I mentioned the rain....what do you do with 5 kids cooped up on a house all day?  Let them play in the rain, of course.  They LOVED it

The next morning we went to church......

A pre-church pose

Silly kids....Later that day it was on to her party at Pump It Up.....yes, more party....sheesh!

As always...Carl and Sabrina out did themselves on the cake...this year (at Elaina's request) were cupcakes.  Just as a point of reference...this cake stand is the same cake stand they used when they made Erik and my wedding cake.  Sort of cool.

All the kiddos....

So, that wraps up the birthday extravaganza....we are blessed to have so many people in our lives who love Elaina.  We love each one of them just as much!

6 years old......when did that happen?  Don't get me started on the sadness that is that :( 

Too Long!!

Elaina was gone for 9 days....FAR TOO LONG!!!  She went camping with my mom for 4 days...she was home for a half day (basically just to sleep) then, she left again to my sister's house in Nashville for 5 days to visit with her cousins - we called it Camp Doug (more on Camp Doug in the next post).

Poor planning on my part.  I thought it might be cool to be kid-less for a while - get a bunch of stuff done - but it was no good.  We missed her badly.  And, turns out, we didn't get as much done as we had hoped.  So, we are glad she is home.  We had a great weekend just hanging out with her. 

Times like this are what we missed...

Erik is a cross-word junkie.  Elaina loves word searches so I got her a book too.  She likes to sit and do them with Erik.  I (the mom) think it is incredibly heart-warming to see. 

I love these moments/days.....quite time......together

Cumberland Falls Trip

Ever since Erik and I went to the mountains back in February AND March, Elaina has been asking when can she go to the mountains.  We went twice in 2 months to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge without her.  She wanted to stay in a hotel room (mainly).  So, 2 weekends ago, we planned a quick trip to the mountains of Kentucky for the weekend.  Erik has been wanting to go the Big South Fork Scenic Railway for a while.  So, we took the opportunity and shot up there on a Saturday and took a ride to the Blue Heron Mine community.....It was very interesting and cool to see the way people lived in those mining communities all those years ago....

On the train getting ready to go

We rode through one little mining community on the way there - here is the main building with doctors office

An old church/school house

We packed a picnic lunch and ate up there....it was a beautiful day

This particular mining facility was very modern and advanced for its time

After our tour was over, we drove over to Cumberland Falls State park and stayed at their lodge.  There was a pool so we of course took advantage of it.  What 5 (almost 6) year old doesn't love to swim?

Our view from the lodge deck...

Her favorite thing to do (bunny ears)

The lodge

 
 
 
 



There was a hammock out front - we relaxed in it a bit

We took a hike Sunday morning over to the Falls.  Elaina was ready - I think this shot is funny.  It was pretty impressive except I was disappointed at how commercialized it was - big parking lot, gift shop, etc.  I thought it would be more of a quaint little path that opened up into the falls...Oh well, still worth seeing.  I want to go when the moonbow is shining

Mountain Laurels - pretty

The falls

A family shot

I feel like I close every blog this way but I'll say it again.....It was a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend as a family.  Good memories made.