Lake 2009

We usually refer to this trip as "the mountains" but they are more like really, really, big hills to me. Anyway, another year has come and gone and it was a good one. This was the first year that we left a day early, and the weather never got too hot, the kids (and adults :) got a long splendidly, and we brought badminton. I was excited about the badminton. It is a sport that represents the peak of my athletic skills. My family (mostly Haselton side) will know more what this means. SO here are some shots of the trip, I'll note a few but leave the rest for you to figure out.

He sat there for the longest time, picking rocks out of the cracks.

He would climb into the gazebo and dance.

Preparing to take on Warrior's Trail.

Completion of the Warrior's Trail.

He LOVED the water.

He needed this little scare.

The kids watching Uncle Michael try to catch a snapping turtle.

Testing the launcher for the water balloon battle. (the launchers broke)

Spectators.

It was ON.

He is saying "ball" in his unique way. It sounds more like "bowl".

J and his cousin Rustin built this for the spaceship.

They were trying to catch fish.

Busted his lip open, boo.

School's Out!

SO I really wanted to get a picture off J leaping of the bus and into summer. However I was inside dealing with other children. You'll just have to believe me when I tell you he's done. Although, J really likes school and if it went all year I don't think he'd care too much. He loves to go anywhere and do almost anything, as long as there are others there to do it with.

He had his last baseball game on Monday. He had a really good team that only lost one game (and it was a close one) and tied another. He also had great coaches. They even passed out trophies at the end (which was on their own accord, not every team got these). J was over the moon about this as it was his first trophy (sister has two from her dance recitals, he pointed out that his trophy was bigger.)

Ava (niece) stayed with us for 5 days while her parents went on a trip to the DR. Her and E buddied up and played so well together. She was a joy to have.

It's kitten time.

*is there a way to flip this? help if you know how and I'm sorry for the kink in your neck, but i do know a good chiropractor.

catching up....

Here are some pics from the month of May that have been waiting to be shared.


This is what my morning view is. Only a week left of this.


This is E in her house/fort. I catch her hanging out just like this when she doesn't know I'm looking.

The grass clippings make up the carpet that she got the little, Amish, neighbor boys to help her gather and lay down.

And baby bro flies by.

I love that they are still willing to play in the tiny pool.

Look who is riding her bike...

by herself.

We think he might be a soapbox preacher.

Or the first deer whisperer.

Or a punk.

Coloring on the last day of preschool.

Waiting the inning out...

to play catcher.

no words necessary

This wasn't posed, she just started picking and sniffing and I started snapping. I don't think you can tell but she is rocking a side pony.

Dave & Gina had everyone over for chicken BBQ (not the same as BBQ chicken for my fellow westerners, a lesson I learned) and Joash and V had some fun together in the pool.

As well as chill-axin in Aunt Abby's sweet ride while feelin' her bumpin' bass.

These two were on the hunt for wildlife all day and were thrilled to find a dead snake that they measured and recorded the data.

Can you see what he's looking at?

Daddy took us on a 4 wheeler ride to the lot.

Clockwise: view looking toward where back of the house will be; View from where the back of the house will be; top of the driveway; bottom of the driveway.

To clarify...there is no estimated start date on building the actual house. Den has had some extra time to clear the lot and work on the driveway as all this costs him is time and gas. A lot still has to happen before any real construction happens (well, electric, septic, house plans!) But it's still fun to see something happening.

Already trying to climb Mom Mom's trees.

Birthday Week

Yes. This was my view on Monday.


All because of this guy. He arranged places for the kids to go while we went to the beach and did nothing. I did get in (all the way), but it was freezing. West coast freezing.


See that little black speck in the upper left portion of this picture? It's a dolphin, and you can tell if you find a way to zoom in. There were tons of them, playing and really close to shore too.


We also saw this birdie on our way to the car. Can you see that he has his dinner?


On my actual birthday I used my free ice cream birthday coupon for Cold Stone's (if you live within range of one you simply must sign up for this. People...it's FREE ice cream).


Accompanied by this band of well wishers.


Their not digging this early courtship. Mia's not into younger men that way.

After J's game (in which he actually caught a hit ball and then tagged someone out for a double play!) we came home to the ice cream cake Den got for me. Seriously, what a guy.

E made me a card that morning. She chose the words and had her daddy write them except for her name. It reads, "Happy Birthday Mommy! You're beautiful"

Complete with a pic of us together, she even drew herself with curly hair.

He gave lots of bday hugs.

D was trying to trick her into looking at the camera by asking her if there was a blue light blinking. Notice her intently searching for it.

one more...

This was one of my favorite shots and I forgot to add it. There is an insect museum in the natural history museum and the kids love it.