Still Swimming

 School has started but it is still very hot each day.  We are still swimming each afternoon.  I have been running most days of the week.  I love summer.  It's hard to give up the summer and head back to the school schedule.  We have used our pool more this summer than ever before.

 The flowers have gone crazy this summer.  I planted mostly petunias, and they have flowed over the pots.  I love flowers!

First Day of School

Back to School!

Miriam--3





            Eliza-5
              Kindergarten

Mark--7
First Grade






               Andrew--8
               Third Grade

 Nathan--10
Fifth Grade






              Matthew--12
           Seventh Grade

Mark's Birthday

Mark had his birthday.  He is seven already.  How did time go by so quickly?  In true August fashion, we had an ice cream cake to celebrate--mud pie to be exact.

Family Pictures

 Family Pictures 2012

More Family Reunion Highlights

I have a big family.  We all have big families.  It was a fun reunion!  

The kids will remember this the rest of their lives.  

And it was worth all of the work...........

 David and Aunt Kathy

Day 1---We are all looking quite pretty on this first day :)

 Joanna (my sister-in-law from the Kelly side came to take family pictures for us)

Joanna, Andrea, Rebecca, Caleb, Megan

 Cousin Suzanne and Mom

 It got up in the 90s on the first day, pretty hot for the mountains--and perfect for playing in the water.

 eating rocks is a must

 We did a lot of canoeing, 

 and eating, 

 and laughing, and talking,

 and playing games.

 We raised the flag, sang fun songs, and had morning devotionals.

 Our competitive natures showed through in the canoe races!  

 And we showed off our talents, which were many!

Singing, dancing, yo-yoing, lip syncing, tongue tricks, piano, and more!

The Talent Show was an absolute favorite of mine.

And more food prepping and cooking, and more eating!