Swinging on Saturday

Photo credits go to Gma Joyce & Aunt Jessica

Shoot Me! 6 of 52

My parents and sister were up this past weekend.  So I got to celebrate my 30th birthday, yet another time!!!  (Daddy was busy working)

These kids are crazy for candles. 

Hot shot

This video is poor quality, and doesn't even come close to doing justice.. but it gives you the basic idea. 

John.. hands on his hips.. marching across the pavilion... strutting his stuff... smiling at anyone (especially Daddy) who would look at him (everyone).  He'd make the circle, go out on the grass, then come back in, and repeat.  Hands on hips, marching through!

Like Father, Like Son! :)

Fun at the Lake

Three Mom's + 1 Grandma + 10 kids (7 and under) + sand + lake= a busy but fun day

Just beyond the trees on the right side of the above pic, we found a lil beach, just off of the main beach... and had it all to ourselves.  Well, all 14 of us.  It was PERFECT.

Everyone but baby James.

Thing One and Thing Two

Jacob and Benji.  Benji and Jacob.

There is one year and two weeks between these two boys.  One has brown eyes.  One has blue eyes. Both have two younger sisters, and one lil brother. Where you find one, you'll likely find the other. 

Two peas in a pod. 

Together

I didn't realize until I was about ready to post this, that lil Meri Jane is missing from the picture... otherwise it would be all 10 cousins/grandkids together!

This is our typical Sunday evening.  All ten cousins in the same state city yard ... once again.  Grilled BBQ chicken, brats, potato salad, beans, fruit salad, choc cake.  Sweaty, smiley, red-cheeked kids.  Camp fire.  Grown ups Mom and Dad's talking, catching up.  Kids playing, running, squealing, laughing, hugging.  Sparklers.  Fireworks. Mosquito's.

It's Summertime.  And we're loving it!

cook out in the woods

Benji and Jacob are cooking pine cones hot dogs.  John is off in search of more firewood. 

(Yes, John is wearing a coat.  He wanted to wear it.. in the middle of July)

John!  Don't touch those!  The fire is hot!

Here.. let me help you get a hot dog.

Shoot Me! 5 of 52

The other day we (my MIL, 2 SIL's and their kids, plus me and our kiddos) went to a nearby county park and spent the day at the beach.  I have plenty of pics to post from our time there.  But since today is Thursday, I thought I'd share these first. 

(Photo credits for the 1st and last picture go to my MIL.)

Taking a break with Katie... the other 3 kids I had to drag out of the water.

Wordless Wednesday

"Look at me!"

A classic John smirk.  (mischief)

He may be the youngest, but he's a pound heavier than Katie (he's 35#, she's 34#.. give or take).  He has no fear, and refuses to be left out of anything.  He holds his own.. literally.   And we love him just the way he is!

It's hard for this mama to believe it, but in two months, this lil cutie will be three!

Shoot Me! 4 of 52

Last week we took pictures, took some more pictures and took a few more pictures.  (All for Daddy's 2nd album, due out soon).  The process went much, much faster this time, than it did getting pics for his first album.  But we still spent many hours looking at pictures, editing, and choosing.  But it was worth every minute.  He's happy with his pics.  So I'm happy too. :)  

Wordless Wednesday

Breakfast in Bed

The other morning I heard the kids get up way too early.  After a few minutes it got quiet.  I was hoping they had gone back to bed.  But I knew better.  In this house when it gets quiet, I get checking on them :)

This is how I found all 4 kids.  Benji informed me they took the covers off, so they wouldn't spill on it (how thoughtful lil boy).

I guess I should be glad our kids love fresh fruit.

Daddy's on the radio...

it don't get better than that!

**While we were listening at home, these friends were able to listen to the show in person!**

Only Carolyn

Her latest saying is: "I've gathered that.."

(for instance... I'm cooking supper, she'll ask what I'm doing, I'll tell her I'm cooking supper, to which she'll reply "I gathered that".. then giggle, smile and run off to play! :) 

Look Mom!!  I found some chapstick!

(I debated on letting the girls use it... so we'd have a quiet moment...) :)

"My horse (Benji) was hungry, so I got him some hay!" (lettuce on the couch)

*And the horse was actully eating it*

"Look at my earrings and fingernails!"

Photos by Benji

Food, Friends, Fireworks

We celebrated the 4th of July (a night early) with friends.  There was plenty of fun, food, laughter, fireworks and conversation!  The kids had a blast with the sparklers, then after a few of our own fireworks, we settled in on the porch swings and rockers to enjoy the neighbors spectacular displays!

Do you know how fast six kids can use up a package of sparklers?

Almost as fast as the grown ups can light them :)

It works out  nice... there's just a few months difference in age between their girls and our kids!

And then there's John!

For more pics of our 4th of July celebration, click here