Mark had a day off on July 3 so we told the children that they could choose our activity. They chose to go to Metcalf Bottoms for a day of hiking, splashing, floating and picnicking. We packed up our camping stove, eggs, bacon, hot chocolate, hot dogs, mac n’ cheese, green beans and some fun snacks and headed out, only to have van difficulties just a few miles from home.
In God’s providence our mechanic and personal friend’s (Hi Chad!) shop is close to a park on the lake. Chad dropped our family and equipment off at the park and took our van back to his shop. So we Mark cooked breakfast,
while the children played on the playground,
and watched a train pass.
Finally time to eat. Mark is a great cook!
We flew kites, played “monster”, enjoyed the wildlife,
went for a walk and the children dreamed about going into that water. 
It was cold, but the children got their wish and spent some time splashing.
We ate a nice lunch/dinner and then Chad drove Mark and some of the children home to get a vehicle that would be big enough for the rest of us. (If you live in our area and need a great mechanic, let us know. Although he was saying something about me not making him homemade bread like one of his other customers, so he may be getting a little demanding. 
)
Since our van was still in the shop on the fourth we missed the annual July 4th picnic at my parents house (my first time missing in 20 years), but we had fun playing on our home made slip n’ slide,
and “camping” in our back yard, complete with a roaring fire,
a backyard picnic,
and of course watermelon.
The rest of the summer has continued to fly by with a trip to Regal Cinema’s free showing of “Horton Hears a Who”, some trips to friends pools, Dollywood and local parks, lots of reading aloud, working on nature journals and art projects.
Last week our cross country season kicked into full swing and we started back into our full school schedule a few weeks ago so we are enjoying the regularity of more structured days, while looking forward to some vacation time coming up in the next couple of months.
Read Giggles from the Grove or more Journal entries if you want to get an inside peek at family. Not interested? There is a lot of practical advice and helps on homeschooling, not using shampoo and decluttering. You can check out the categories at the top of the page for more choices or sub-categories if you’re interested in something different or more specific.
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Looks like you have had a wonderful summer!
I have been reading your blog for a few months now and I really enjoy it. It’s wonderful to see how you consider children a blessing and not a burden, and it’s great to see parents who are leading their children to follow Him. I am not married, so parenting is still a few years away, but your blog is such an inspiration!
~Yvonne
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What a fun outing! And what a great mechanic!!
We caught that free viewing of Horton Hears a Who here too! Can’t beat free summer movies!
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Sounds like such fun! Glad you had such a wonderful family time.
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Sounds like fun!!!!! I want to try that slippy thinggy! (if that is even a word! I have a question. Do you have any modest swimsuit websites? I am looking all over for one. Thanks!
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sounds like a great time!
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Is that vacation time because I am coming back?
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Your children will never be the same after swimming in Oak Ridge.
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What type of swim suits are your girls wearing.. (Im assuming these are swim suits) They are too cute.
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Just out of curiosity, where does the pimento come from in your clip art at the top of the page? I thought you were raising olives, not stuffing them!!
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Raising Olives Reply:
August 17th, 2009 at 8:01 am
Vicki and Tara,
We got the swim suits at swimmodest.com. They are expensive, but modest. Land’s End also offers some more modest varieties of swim suits.
Seth and Suzanne,
I’m ignoring you on purpose.
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I don’t understand, you ask me every week why I haven’t commented on your blog, and then you ignore me? On the other hand, you are giving me some great insights on marriage, the guy is always in trouble but never knows why.
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