NC Blueberry Festival

Boy, oh boy!!! Did we ever have fun visiting with our friends at the North Carolina Blueberry Festival in Burgaw over the weekend! Casteen family --- As always, thank you for your sweet, southern hospitality!

FOREVER FRIENDS

Dancing to "Spare Change"

Sliding down the bouncey house slide!

Sharing a strawberry shaved ice

My beautiful butterfly!!

It was so nice to be able to spend time with Isabella, Pat & Ronnie.  Lilli & Isabella have such a special bond... a wonderful friendship. While the adults socialized, the girls enjoyed playing & dancing on the courthouse lawn to wonderful live music!!!
The foods were heavenly... not that ate any! I think Danny sampled some of everything, including a "fried reese's cup" (although he won't admit it!)  I was a really good girl and stuck to my diet... but I honestly ate way too many blueberries!! If you are ever in the area, head on over to the NC Blueberry Festival. http://ncblueberryfestival.com/ You'll be glad you did!
Hope everyone has a terrific Tuesday!! ((HUGS))

Wordless Wednesday - LAUGH OUT LOUD!

If this doesn't make you giggle... nothing will!

Wishing everyone a beautiful Wednesday!!! ((HUGS))

Lilli's "big sister", Ali!

Yes, you read the title of the blog correctly & no, we haven't adopted again --- yet! Our neighbor Ali & Lilli have adopted each other... to be sisters.

As only children, they both have a strong desire to have siblings. (Lilli asks me for a brother or sister on a daily basis!! - I PROMISE!) For Christmas this past year, Ali gave Lilli a silver necklace with a charm on it that reads "Lil' Sis". It's one of Lilli's most prized possessions!! Every afternoon on our drive home, Lilli's eyes get so big when she sees Ali playing in her yard or riding her bicycle. She squeals, "There's my Ali... my big sister Ali!"  The feeling is mutual... and it shows!

Isn't it great to have special folks in your life... those that adopt you to be apart of their family? My daughter's life is surrounded by so many of these special folks.... therefore, I am one blessed Mama!
Hope everyone is having a terrific Tuesday! ((HUGS))

Playdate with Kaitlyn!

On Saturday night, my running partner Bridget & her husband Donnie celebrated their wedding anniversary, so their daughter Kaitlyn came over and hung out with us for a little while. Lilli and Kaitlyn are friends from church.... and they had a blast together! GIGGLES GALORE!!!

After a good meal and a little playtime at Chickfila, we went back home and watched Tangled.

Can't wait to have Kaitlyn over again... hopefully really soon!!!
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!! ((HUGS))

**PRAYER REQUEST** -  A Rocky Mount Deputy serving with the US Marshal's office was killed in the line of duty last night, while serving an arrest warrant in Kinston. Luckily, Danny was not involved in the stand-off.
Please pray for the family of Investigator Warren "Sneak" Lewis. I do not understand such senseless acts of violence. As the wife of a deputy, my heartbreaks for his family... it hits me in the gut and makes me feel helpless. Sneak leaves behind a wife and two young children.

Thankful Thursday - BIG 4 YEAR OLD!!

Several months ago, I asked Lilli what type of party she'd like to have for her birthday. At first, she told me she wanted a "fairy princess tea party". Okay... gotcha! Then about 3 weeks later, she told me she wanted a "fairy princess skating party" where everyone wore wings. Okay... gotcha! But then Lilli realized that a few of her friends (the boys) wouldn't wear the wings. Ohhhhhhhhh, the drama of it all... she declared that she had a few "special" friends who were boys that she HAD to have there... Sooooooooo, after much deliberation, she decided to have "plain ol' skating party" (her words)! Everything went well... no major injuries... just bunches and bunches of fun! So many of her little friends came & helped her celebrate!! It was an AWESOME DAY...

I am sooooo very thankful for my BIG 4 YEAR OLD!! She's been a blessing from day one! I am also very thankful that she had a terrific birthday! Seriously... ONE HAPPY CAMPER!!
BTW, she's already told me she's having a slumber party next year - NO BOYS ALLOWED! lol
Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!
It's Thankful Thursday... what are you thankful for today?

Wordless Wednesday........

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND...RELAXING BY THE POOL!!

(At our friend's Steve & Wendy's cookout on Sunday)

(At my brother and sister-in-law's cook-out on Monday)

Hope everyone is having a great Wednesday!! ((HUGS))