Staycation

Reality came crashing down this morning when I woke up, and had no one to serve me breakfast and my choice of flavored hot coffee. There is no pool in the backyard where my kids play all day with their friends without even a hint of squabbling.  No steak and fruit ka bobs will be served to me for supper, and I will likely go to bed without even a bite of delicious dessert. Do you feel sorry for me??

Our dear friends hosted us for a "staycation" this weekend as their kids called it.  They were the ones who stayed home, but it felt like a vacation for us!  Isn't that the coolest kids' room wall.  It's chalkboard paint with a frame. Can't wait to do that someday. (I deleted our friends last name from the board b/c it is too "google-able"...made that word up for sure)

Started off at the zoo. It's a "dry heat" there, and it felt tolerable! I had not idea how much humidity mattered.

Their zoo had a giraffe feeding bridge! Never had a giraffe picture from this angle. The video below is of Garrett feeding him.  

Hubs and Sne go way back to grad school days. They are hard to pin down at the same time, and I have no idea without planning that they both managed to be off on a full holiday weekend!  They played golf, basketball, pool, and yes words with friend. These two can't have enough competitions going.

UP, 

UP,

UP and AWAY!!

Oh not much has changed with Gman....still streaking around the back yard even if it's not ours.

They call each other cousins! They truly have a BALL together. 

We took them all to the movie and it happened to be a first for Garrett. He was LESS than STILL, and I probably won't take him back for a while.  Poor kid got a pitiful summer cold because we wore him out, so I think sitting with a stuffy nose for that long in combo with not a lot of sleep didn't help.

Happy 4th America!

There's my hostess with the mostest friend!  She's an awesome cook and has the best ideas.  I always have to take a few of them home with me right Rinal?  

WE love you guys! Can't wait to do it again...maybe next week?? Thanks for spoiling us rotten.  

Until next time!

Waterlogged

The past two weeks, as a family we will have "logged" 23 swim lessons in 2 weeks...8 days x 3 kids (garrett missed a lesson).  That's a lot of waiting around and a lot of swimming!  We all survived. The pool is covered, so the simple fact that no sunscreen was involved made it much nicer! Oh and having friends rotate waiting is the only way!!! 

We've taken lessons with little pumpkin and little lion for several years now.

I can't believe the progress Mary has made in the last year. She is quite the little swimmer for a 5 year old!  Check that off the summer list. Next summer with 4 in tow, we may just stay home:)

Father's Day

A day for dads.   I am the beneficiary of some amazing dads.  From my dad, to my dad-in-law, to my granddad, and to the dad that is my husband, I don't know of four men that I admire and respect more.  There are a several words that all four have in common:  Godly, wise, discerning, incredibly hard-working.  I have much to learn from them and couldn't feel more gratitude that my children are being raised under their example.     

2003

Wow, they both look like babies! :)  I worked part time when Allie was a baby, and hubs had very little time off. The days he had off were the days I worked. We saw very little of each other, but he and Allie had a lot of time together, and it was great for both of them.  I think he had about 4 days off a month, and he spent a lot of his down time taking care of her, but he never complained.  

Father's Day 2006

This picture makes me laugh because he has on the EXACT same shirt on that father's day as he did today, and Mary has on an orange polka dotted dress.  

Father's Day 2008

Couch full of kids.

We love you!!  

We received an update this week on chubby cheeks.  I thought about him quite a bit today because he has an amazing daddy, and he doesn't know it yet!  Our email said he is most comfortable with his foster father. I thought a lot about this father too, and how much respect I have for him to give so unselfishly by caring and falling in love with a little boy who he knows he will have to say good bye to one day. That is heart breaking!  So on this father's day, I must also include him as well for being an INCREDIBLE part of our little boy's life this past year.  

Happy Father's Day!

We had a great time visiting the fam! We did a LOT of swimming because that's all one can do on these dog days of summer.

My grandparents are the CUTEST ever.

LOVE these folks. So very blessed.

Our routine trip to the garden was a hit. My Deeda is STILL hard at it every morning. That's why he's so YOUNG I guess.

Why wait to get home?  "I hungry" now!

Gracie turned 3!!! Crazy how quickly these kids grow up. Happy bday little cousin.

W

Crazy man is running and jumping in the pool. We need to get going on swimming lessons because he is FEARLESS! We start monday....2 weeks, all three kids....ugh..:)

Filthy fun

Boys do love dirt.

There's no place like home...there's no place like home..

According to Allie, there's a place EVEN BETTER!    That kid!  I don't think she missed us a bit. What's not to like I say? No cleaning your room, constant entertainment, and a sleep over every night without conditions.  My brother asked her tonight if it was "like a church camp" and she said, well I'm not sure if it's a church camp, but "they definitely want you to make a connection with the Lord." She's getting so old! I loved some of her responses in the devotional they kept through the week.  She will get a kick out of reading them some day. 

We didn't receive a letter until midweek. I was hoping for a little more depth, but was thrilled just to hear from her!  

Garrett enjoyed the donuts more than the happy reunion.

After we got in the car, Mary said, "I really missed you Allie." Totally unprompted. That'll do it for me:)

Glad she's safe and sound, and in the bed on time tonight!  I was shocked to find that everything I sent made it back. Unfortunately I ended up with a few things that weren't hers. I told her I was very proud that she actually kept up with her stuff (I wouldn't call her responsible in this way), and she said, "I did great; I made it back with mine and more!" Hmm..will have to work on that.

Water baby

Mary is doing GREAT in the pool!  She really likes swimming lessons. We always start the first week of school to get her going.

2007-18 months old

I've always loved this pic!!! 

2009 - 3 years old

2010 - 4 years old

2011 - 5 years old  

This year, her teacher worked hard with her on her free style stroke, and she's such a listener that she did GREAT!!

So proud of you water bug!