Off to the Ocean & the Mountains

Due to our absence in Scotland, we sent Anne a

"Happy Birthday" video overseas.

 

Michael met Mark in MD one weekend for some deep-sea fishing.  He had missed the boys' trip out West this summer because of Matthew's baptism.  Little did he know that the weekend of fishing with VT buddies would start with shooting this massive rifle.  How envious was I?!? 

 

Fishing was clearly a success!  Andrew was SO excited to see these pics.

 

 

 While Daddy was fishing and shooting, we went to see Dody & Grandaddy in the mountains.  This view NEVER gets old. 

Happy Dody.  Stylish Matthew.

Margaret fell asleep on the swing.  Literally. 
She actually fell-asleep-on-the-swing!

Lalu and Robert made great efforts to come see the kids this weekend.  It was great fun to be with them, but I was just really hoping that "Baby Binky Boy" would keep that thumb in his mouth.

Sweet snuggles with Lalu!

My kids are always suckers for being loved on by a sweet, deep voice. 
Thanks for the hugs, Robert.

Naping in Mom's bed.  Mom = optional; Tea party = crucial.

As always, Mom does a spectacular job with her flowers.

  

Hiking & bouldering by the waterfall before the sky dropped out.

Don't know who's more content.

 

 

Bubble baths!  Always an end of the day highlight in the mountains.

 

 

 Thoughts on the new pool... "Sooo cool!". 

 

The most obnoxious things that Andrew and Margaret can belt out get the biggest, happiest laughs from Matthew.  This giggling went on, and on, and on...making Dody and me smile just as big.   

Sibling Fun

She's crazy on her balance bike - really good, gaining speed and letting herself glide for a while, but CRAZY:)

Misplaced Spring and Summer

 

Mira, the Williams' puppy next door, decided to use their gutter as a chew toy.

 

 Deep Thoughts

 

 Emily visited (sometime in the spring!) and we enjoyed a few hours at

Veritas and King Family Vineyards.

 

 Natural concern on Margaret's face as Matthew starts to get fussy.

 

 Matthew was fortunate enough to meet Jay and Carol Popp early on - they were in town for Ryan's graduation from Business School.  What a wonderful visit we had.

 

 Watching the trash truck literally stopped them in their tracks.

 

 Spring Fun Run at Preschool.

 

 King Family Sunday afternoon with church friends.  Unfortunately, the Polo Match was cancelled that beautiful afternoon.

 

Yet another successful trip to the Dentist (this must have been March).  Evidently he had 4 teeth loose, 2 of which would eventually come out over the summer and one at school in August.

 

 Reading Time

 

They came again.  I cannot bear to write what happened to the babies...AGAIN...this year.  Some year, Momma will learn that our yard is not the safest place to raise babies:(

Matthew and Sam have their last playdate before the Colquitts moved to Cincinnati for the year for Rick's Fellowship.

 

 Taking Miss Helen flowers for her birthday, which the kids were SOOO excited

about finding out was July 3rd!

Off to Grandma's!

 

I cannot explain how proud Margaret was to have cleaned up her room and made up her bed this day BEFORE naptime was over, without any help, and without me suggesting it!  Too bad it hasn't happened since.

LOVE the moss flower arranging Mom gave me for my birthday and I'm trying to make good use of it.  It's amazing how some fresh flowers can make you feel.

Singin' about it...

Eww, she made me try what???

And I'm just gonna go ahead and so "No!" to the peas.