Happy 70th Birthday, Maynard!

Before heading to South Dakota, we trekked to Jamie's hometown for his dad's surprise birthday party. It was a great time had by all!  We got about 20 minutes from the party, and this is what Jonathan looked like in the rearview mirror.  He walked right up to the party in this get-up.  Caleb on the other hand, had his container of cars and looked totally normal.

 The morning after the party, we all loaded up the cars and moved along to a day at the zoo...

The Lake

 Nate's parents have a house on a lake about an hour from us.  The boys have been talking about having the chance to go on a "motor boat" sometime.  Nate, Carla and their boys invited us up to the house for a fun day on the lake... We had a fantastic and relaxing time!  We all loved the time on the water together without the distractions of life.  Thanks for the fun!

 On the boat

 The flag... used when a skier is in the water.  Who would think they could fight over a flag?

 The boys on the tube... Jonathan is back there behind Josh.  The first ride they took, Jonathan held onto Josh with one hand and the back of Caleb's life jacket with the other.  I rode on the tube with them once (because I have no idea how to ski) and Josh sings the whole time.

This happened within minutes of leaving.  Think they might have been a little worn out from all of the fun?

Parade

In what is quickly becoming a favorite family activity, we participated in our little neighborhood parade and donut shin dig on the 4th of July...

 These two never shy away from a chance to decorate things...

 All of the littles, ready to ride like the wind... to the end of the road and back.

With neighborhood friend, Eleanor

South Dakota

We trekked to South Dakota a few weeks ago for a family reunion with Jamie's family and the chance to visit some great friends.  

Below are candids with Jamie's cousins and their children.  His siblings and their kiddos are mixed in the bunch, too.  There are a lot of them.  Jamie is the second youngest cousin in a slew of them so there are lots and lots of cousin's children.  That is a recipe for lots of noise but oh so much fun!!

 The cousins that were able to be there.  There are several missing...

 His cousin's children.  Wow.

We got to do double duty on this trip... family and friends.  Jamie has been friends with Andy for eons. I met Sara briefly at our wedding and few other times in the years before little people.  We have only spent time together, "in person", a handful of times.  She is a gem.  Andy is a gem.  They often comment that they are a "wreck" because things don't always go smoothly for their kiddos or the questions their precious kiddos ask would be a little disarming for most of us, but these two eyes and ears of mine tell me otherwise.  If they are a wreck... it's a glorious one.  Their family gives us glimpses of redemption and grace. 

 Josiah, Isaiah, Caleb and Jonathan

Andy and Sarah with us... we got a double date on our last night there. :+)

Field Day Fun

Wow.  I can tell I'm very behind with all of the summer fun.  Just downloaded these photos from field day at the end of May.  It was a gorgeous day and Big C and I were spectators at field day for the morning.  The kids all had a great time!  My little man is wearing his beloved orange shorts :+)

Fun with Friends

We went swimming with these friends.  They are the little people of our good friends, the Krugers.  We see them far too little, but I am thankful for our long-lasting friendship!  We have known them for 10 years.  Before any of these people were walking around... look at us now!

No particular order

I love summer fun.  And this summer, I also love the weather.  It's been just lovely.  Here are snippets of our days...

Swimming lessons with three of the best young gals.  They are delightful and the boys are becoming quite proficient swimmers!

 Morning of water fun with some friends

Our garden.  I love it.  I love going out everyday and seeing what amazing things are growing there.  Cucumbers can make anyone feel good about their gardening abilities, but this year we also have tomatoes, corn, peppers, beans, zucchini, WATERMELON (this is amazing... I've tried for four years to grow a melon plant), and asparagus that is on year two of growing.

Last summer I wouldn't have ventured to the park at 3:00 on a July afternoon... this year it was a beautiful and delightful day.  We diddled there with friends for two hours!

3,2,1 Launch!

What happens when a Physics teacher becomes a stay at home mom to boys (and has a husband who has good power tools)?  This...

It can launch water balloons to the tops of the oak trees across the street from our neighbor's house.