Life is Better at the Beach

We decided to head to the coast for a couple of days of fun.  We did the true tourist thing and had lunch at Mo's.  The kids loved it because their lunch is served in a Frisbee they get to keep.

C enjoying her lunch

All smiles from this group

A relaxing stroll on the beach after lunch

 Then the kids got to work--enjoying the beach

 It was so cold; they are so crazy

 But they are loving every minute of it

We spend the night at the best camp ground.  We met up with the whole family. We stayed in cabins.  We had s'mores. There was a big jumping pillow, swimming pool, and outdoor movie.  The next day we headed to another beach.  The weather was much more pleasant. 

Running down the sand dunes

G-man is all smiles

 Auntie Susan and H all cuddled up

 After a day at the beach, we decided to head into town for some more good times.  We rode the carousel.

  Then we ended the trip with elephant ears.



Herd of Wild Beasts

One day we went to the Zoo.  It was a lot of fun.  We went to the petting Zoo area.

 G-man got a shark's tooth necklace

 The kids found playground equipment and climbed like monkeys!

 Here is the gang at lunch time.  We found a nice shady spot to relax awhile.

If you would have seen us at the Zoo, you would have asked yourself who let that herd out?  We are quite a group!

My favorite part of the whole day was our train ride, but alas, I can't seem to find any pictures.

Big Blow Out Fun

This summer my neighbor that I grew up next door to, along with her husband and kids, got together with me, my husband and kids.  This made for a week of wonderful fun.  What made it even better was we were able to get together with my parents, siblings, their spouses, and children for a week of walks down memory lane and creation of new memories.

Here is our 1st night together. R had made a fuss because the child her age is a boy, yet here they are a few minutes after meeting getting along great.  iPhones overcome the gender gap!

Our first adventure was to Mt St Helen's.  It was an interesting experience.  It has been over 30 years since it blew up, but the destruction it caused is still easy to see.

 JR and H

 The fam

If you are out by Mt St Helen's you should take time to stop and see it.

Welcome Buddy Girl!

Sarah Madison
November 2, 2010
 1:58am

7lbs 5ozs
 20 inches long

A Peek into Our Dinner Conversation

Tonight the girls were cracking me up with their questions.  Here are a few that I remember.

"Mom, what day was the first day you gave me mashed potatoes?  Was it a Wednesday?"
"Mom, do you think you could hike across Delaware in a month?"

"Mom, how old were you when you had me? How old will you be when you have Buddy, 80?"

Other questions involved the definition of coastline and being off sides in soccer.  Another question was "Mom, guess who is going to take us to see 'Despicable Me' when it comes to the cheap theater?" Since the girls had just told me a few days ago, I got that one right.  "How did you know that?" I reminded them they had told me.  Then E said, "You know you could probably tell Mom something and ask her about it in a year and she would still remember." I don't think that is true, but thanks for the compliment.  It is great to know that my girls think that about me.  I love dinner time; it is insight into the girls minds.

Happy Birthday MikeyZ!

So, this is a little out of order, since I have been working on June posts.  I figure I can take a break and do an entry about what is currently going on.  When it comes to birthdays in September I feel like they come one right after another, especially this week when there are some that even share the same day.  However, I feel like there is one I will take the time to specifically mention.  I thought we should take a moment to acknowledge Grandpa Mike's birthday.

Here is Mike with all the grandkids

Grandpa is always a good time.  He loves to entertain the kids.  Some of his specialties are taking the kids to the park, singing silly songs, and playing "Grandpa Hide and Seek". That gets the kids screaming!

He is always interested in the kids lives.

Mike is a great dad.  He always has a listening ear and good advice for his children, even if they are all adults now.

Happy Birthday Mike!

Futbol!

This summer all 3 girls attended soccer camp.  We were so lucky.  We had tons of friends we knew there.  I would say at least half of E's team, all of R's team and most of H's team. Even with all those friends I was really nervous about the camp.  It was for four days, and four hours each day.  I was worried that the girls might get soccered out, especially H.  This was her first organized soccer experience. Luckily, everyday I would pick them up they would all be super excited about what they had done that day.  I was so pleased I tried to capture the moment.

Here is the group we carpooled with: Brooklyn, McKenna, E, Carson, Emily. Front: H, Brinley and R

Another attempt to capture the moment; results no better then the first try.

H finally smiling after we are all home eating lunch.

A raspberry for every finger will do the trick!

Aladdin!

Right after school was out we were into dance dress rehearsals and performances.

Here are some cute red parrots waiting their turn.

Okay, I know this picture is so fuzzy, but I love it.  You can see E smiling and enjoying dancing.

My very serious Street Vendor

Oh, so pretty!

The fierce Tiger

I would say this is a loon, more then a red parrot

A different day, but still waiting

R was in charge of the street vendor cart and had to be out on stage by herself pretending to tend the cart. She did great.

Another fuzzy picture.  I seriously think H took most of the pictures of her sisters since she had to seat with me when it wasn't her turn.  R dancing on stage, but looking right at us.

Finally, H's turn to dance

Dancing with Jafar's crystal ball

Dancing is always more fun with a friend

H concentrating hard to do the choreograph just right

I will say this year seemed long, since they added more performances and I felt less then my best.  Even so, I still loved watching my girls dance.  They are all very good.  Plus, I love to see the light in their eyes while they are dancing.  I know they really are enjoying themselves.

The End

Well, the end of that school year.  The last day of school we decided to have a big breakfast.

2 happy girls, 1 not so much

Then the girls went to a whole 2 hours of school.  I picked them up.  We said goodbye to the old teachers and hello to the new. Also, goodbye to some good friends that won't be in their classes next year.

Mr. Schiewe and R

McKaylin and R

Mrs. Dana and R

R with Mrs. McNutt

(sorry the picture is so bad Rosie)

E and Anna S.

R, Lily, and E

Anna C. and E

E and Mrs. Brownlee

E with Miss Hannah

Keeping with tradition, we celebrated by having lunch with a few friends.  This year we ate at Sweet Tomato. The kids LOVED it!!!