Last Day in July

It's hard to believe that the summer is already over! It's been so busy and has gone by so fast. Next week we have registration for school.  I've already been back at school working in my classroom; I started that last week. More to come about school later.

Here's some pictures of what has happened these last few days of July.

Found!!!

 

Last night Kevin was in the garden and Wingo started barking and growling and just going crazy in his pen.  Kevin was a little nervous as to what was getting ready to come out of the woods, but out came this guy.  He has no collar, friendly, playful and about 1 to 2 years old.  He seems to have been taken good care of, but where he came from, who knows.  We have called neighbors, the vet, and animal shelter.  I have even posted his pics on facebook to find the owner.  If we can't find the owner then either God has sent Wingo a playmate or we will find another good home for him.

 

 

 

When I was in Greer, I went to this huge consignment sale that this church puts on every year, twice a year.  This was the Fall/Winter sale and I got 38 pieces of clothing for Madalyn. I was so excited!

 

Madalyn in her truck. She loves to be outside.

 

Madalyn for the past week and a half has been crawling out of her crib every morning to come wake me up.  So this weekend, we will be converting her crib to a toddler bed.  My baby girl is growing up.

 

 

 

Pool Time

Last week before we left for Greenville, Madalyn and I got some pool time at Meme's and Pop's.

 

She likes to play on the steps.

 

 

Having fun in the "wad-ner" as Madalyn says "water"

 

She likes to "kick-kick" in the water.

 

 

 

 

Saturday and Sunday Fun: Family Time

Saturday, we went to my mom's side of the family reunion at lake Keowee.  Madalyn was very excited about meeting everyone and really enjoyed playing with the little kids to the big kids and swimming in the water.  My Papa was the baby of 8 children and is currently the last one that is living.  It was his parents that started the annual Walker Family Picnic. 

 

 

Here are some of Madalyn's younger playmates from the reunion. I know it's not the clearest picture, but hey it was the best one we got..you try getting two 2 year olds and a 16 month old to all be still and smile at the camera at the same time.  Not an easy task! And don't forget to add in the temptation of stairs too...

 

Here's one of Madalyn's older playmates.  They were playing with some cars.  A funny story: The man in the picture has a twin brother.  Madalyn had been playing with both of them but at different times.  She was sitting in this one's lap when his brother came in and sat down. Madalyn kept looking from one to the other....like wait a minute...you look just like this man.  It was her first time seeing twins.

 

 

Sunday, we have some more family time at lunch.  It was nice to get to spend some time with my family in Greer these last four days.

Madalyn and Papa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday Fun: The Greenville Zoo

Today, G-Dad, or as Madalyn calls him "My G" took Madalyn and myself to the Greenville Zoo.  My mom had to work, so she didn't get to come with us.  The last time I went to the Greenville Zoo, it was on a first date with Kevin, back in 2004.  The only other time Madalyn has been to the zoo was the Columbia Zoo and she was 13 months old.  This experience was very different; last time Madalyn loved the animals and got so excited about each and every one.  This time, the bigger the animal was and the closer the animal got, the tighter she would hang on to me or my dad; she never cried or got upset, she just let you know that she didn't like them too much.  I was surprised that she was scared of them.  She loves animals! But I guess seeing them up close and personal was a different story today.  After the zoo, I was craving a chilli-cheese burger from none other than The Clock.  So we headed there for lunch.  The Clock restaurant was started a long, long time ago in Greenville and it's the best there is for a good ole' fashion hamburger, hot dog, French fries, onion rings, and my favorite chilli-cheese burger.  We had a fun morning with "G" and we were sorry that Nana missed out on all the fun.

Here are the "highlights" of our zoo trip today.



 

 

First Stop: The Elephants

Madalyn was really unsure about the elephants, she used to love them.

 

 

I'm not sure if this is the same elephant, but back when I was little, there was an elephant named "Joy" that came to the Greenville Zoo and my parents donated money to help bring her here.

 

Madalyn with her "G"; she loves her "G"



 

Out of all of the monkeys, this kind was her favorite.

 

 

 

The Reptile House

 

It was dark in here and with all the snakes and lizards, Madalyn was also unsure about this place too.

 

Iguana

 

He's cute, isn't he?

 

I think the yellow snake is pretty..just as long as it doesn't get the idea to come and take a ride in my car. 

 

The Birds

 

The Toucan-I've always loves their orange beaks.

 

The Volture-I thought his wing design was very pretty.

 

 

I loved these birds; so colorful.

 

My favorite bird pic of the day was this one of the three sleeping flamingos.

 

 

The Lions

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the main attraction for the Greenville Zoo right now

 

Meet Keiko the baby Giraffe with his Mom

 

He's the first giraffe born in captivity on this side of the United States, and I may be wrong, but I think ever; in the United States anyway.  The mom was sent to the Greenville Zoo from another zoo and the dad came from a different zoo as well.  They were sent to Greenville to breed because they said that Greenville had the best breeding conditions.  He was born October 22, 2012.  They showed him being born on the news.  I felt sorry for Keiko when I was watching the video.  To give birth the mom giraffe just stood up and she dropped him to the floor.  But he was okay, and apparently that's how it's done if you are a giraffe.  The Greenville zoo won't get to keep any of the three giraffes, they will eventually be sent back to where they came from and I'm not sure when they will send the baby.

 

Keiko with his dad

 

 

 

 



 

 

I thought it was funny how these turtles were all lined up to get some sun.

 

Madalyn is currently fascinated by alligators.  Why, who knows? But she can't say alligator, she calls them "ag-ga-nas".

 

 

It looks like he's smiling for his picture.

 

Madalyn got to bring home her favorite monkey that she saw today.

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday Fun: The Greer City Park

Madalyn and I came to visit my parents for a few days.  We left on Wednesday and have been very busy since we have been here. Yesterday, we met my friend Lindsey and her little boy, Mason for a "play date" at the Greer City Park and lunch at McDonald's.   After lunch, I got to enjoy some fun on my own.   I got a special treat....an hour and a half long massage...it was so needed and very enjoyable. :0)

Mason and Madalyn

They were both so fascinated by the water, I never did get a picture of their faces together.

 

My little ball of energy that never stops!
She's so full of joy!

 

 

God's Promise

Last night, Kevin and I got to go out on a date night for my birthday, since he was so sick last weekend. On our way home we saw the most beautiful rainbow.  It actually was a perfect arch; from one side of the road to the other.  I had never seen a rainbow at a perfect arch before.  The colors were so vivid, the pictures I took on my phone, don't do it justice.  With all the rain we have been having lately, it was a beautiful sight to see as a reminder that God keeps His promises He makes to us.  It was also an encouraging sign for me for all that I and my family have been going through lately.  Again, the pictures don't do it justice.

 

 

 

Friday, after my doctor's visit, we stopped by the grocery store to pick up some things and we found the cutest cupcake for Kevin.  I had never seen one like this before.  We enjoyed eating it tonight.  (We found it at the BI-LO in Cayce.  They had some really neat cupcake and cake creations.)

 

 

A Cocky Cupcake