Summer Shots

When I get behind on my memory-jogging documentation, I inevitably wind up with a post or two of random shots and quotes from the kids.  Here's the summer version!

Andrew to Michael pointing to a church we pass as we leave our neighbor:  Is that the cross that Jesus died on?

Michael: No, but it’s kind of like it.

Andrew:  Oh. (and moved on instantly to the next question in a series of 100 in 5 minutes.)

The 2nd week in July was VBS at First Baptist.  Just like last year, Andrew adored every single minute of it!  We are singing the songs like there is no tomorrow and listening to the CD every single time we are in the CD!  No matter how mundane that gets for Mommy, it still melts my heart when he bursts into, "Jesus is Alive!" and spews out the entire song walking around the house:)  And another favorite, "Be strong. Don't be afraid. God is always with you." has been a great tool for our recent panic attacks about things that terrify him.

Hand-made "Amazing Wonders Aviation" t-shirt.

Time for a blessing...anytime, any place.  I guess the ensuring drawing needed some help from above:)

Just watching a little TV before bed, in my diaper, in frog-position, chewing on a wool hat. Isn't that how you watch TV?

"You looking at us Mom?  Should we say, 'cheese' now???"

One big ole ship in the Inner Harbor.

Pool Time!  Bathing suit - check.  Swim suit - check. Towel - check. Clare's hand-made wool hat for Andrew's first winter - check.

So natural looking - Why would you not need your winter hat at the pool when it is literally OVER 100 degrees?!?

She looks burned in this shot, but the color is just off.  She's actually got a lovely tan, showing a killer farmer's tan when naked.  And I swear we drench her in SPF 50 every time we're at the pool!

Nothing like coloring in July in the South with a wool hat on!

Maybe the colorful hat is inspiration for the drawing???

Gotta have a little backyard pool time in the summer.

Michael or Meg?

Susan stumbled upon this picture the other day and sent it along.  Who's riding on the back of the sled, Michael or Margaret???

While Mommy is away, the boys sure will play!

I snuck away to Richmond Friday night for an overnight with girls.  Thank you, Mom & Dad, for your house!!!  We had an awesome meal at Edo Squid's, passed on drinks at the Martini Lounge on Main (let's just say that we would not have fit in, for oh so many reasons!), decadent dessert and coffee at Mezzanine's in CaryTown and stayed up WAY too late chatting after surprise birthday and baby gifts.  I can't say I returned to Cville well rested, but I can say that the boys were having a blast!  I guess we didn't get any pics of Reese and Margaret (our Sept. 17th birthday gals....coming up on 3 and 2, respectively), but Keyes and Andrew sure did play hard in the backyard!

July 4th in the Mountains

With Michael still out of town, the power still out, and the thermostat reading 94 upstairs and climbing, I had to get packing for the mountains. Thank GOODNESS I always recharge the DVD player when we return from road trips.  Note the unsolicated love during the movie.  What you can't tell from this pic is how short-lived the peaceful hugging was!

Elk River, here we are!!!!!

The Banner Elk Parade and Festival in the park is quite a tradition on July 4th.  We only have a few shots since the camera was left at home in the dark.  Nothing too exciting was captured via cell.

Love:)

Andrew and Alex discussing exactly how the shared bag of lute is going to be divided.

Happy Dody!

Those lazy days of summer

July 4th Picnic at Elk River.  The kids LOVED the moonbounces, slides, face painting, games and duck races.  We all loved that it was NOT 100 degrees:)  Such a beautiful place in the summer! 

Grandfather Mountain with Alex and Nicholas.  The kids LOVED the animals.  No pics from the infamous swinging bridge.  though the suspension has been reinforced tremendously since I was 8 and it doesn't actually swing anymore, I still wasn't taking my hands off of Margaret to take any pictures.  Michael and Andrew climbed boulders like CO natives and got to some amazing views. 



Margaret "chasing" ducks at the Duck Pond in town.