We swim.

You know how some families really like baseball or soccer or drama?  We like to swim.  So... both boys were on a swim team this summer and absolutely loved it.  They loved it so much that they are already talking about being a Marlin next year.  Those little swim caps are about the cutest thing (although I no longer tell them they are cute).

 Our beloved cousins came to watch the boys swim.  Eliana was trooper to "watch" all of the swimming this summer.

Uncle Steve

My dad had this picture of he and Steve from many years ago, dressed alike and looking like twins.  The caption on the frame read: "He ain't heavy, he's my brother."

Friends Make Friends

When you have awesome friends, their kiddos become your kids' friends, too.  Especially when all of the kids are around the same age and they are BOYS!!  Spunky Miss E was the LONE girl in the bunch.  But, if you can tell by the bottom photos, she was not phased by this fact.  Actually, she jumped right into the action.

We get to see these wonderful friends once a year, sometimes twice.  However, these are friendships for a lifetime.

 Josh, Parker, Grant, Jonathan, Caleb and Jake

 Jude, Daniel, Josh, Parker, Grant, Samuel, Jonathan, Eliana, Caleb and Josh

Father's Day

It's about three months after the fact but I was smiling as I looked through these photos from Father's Day weekend.  It was a bittersweet weekend for me.  My dearest Dad wasn't laughing with us or talking with us or playing golf with us.  I will miss him always.  

However, we celebrated the Daddy in this house with a day of hiking, boating and eating yummy food.  Lots of ink could be spilled about him and how much we love him.  But I'll leave you with the main idea: we love him.  "Up to the moon and back a million trillion times".

Family Photos

I am not the mom who has her camera ready on all occasions.  Actually, I rarely remember to bring the camera to events.  It takes special focus for me to remember such things.  However, family photos are a must.  Non negotiable.  We will capture the children (utilizing the talent of a professional) once per year in good lighting and nice clothes :)