Summer

Haven't posted in a while and thought I would just post some pics to sum up what we have been up to this summer! I can't believe that in just a few weeks we will be gearing up to go back to school. Until then we are going to try and enjoy every second of our summer freedom!!

Park Days with KidsLife





The Beach




more park...







more of the beach...



I also got to shoot at my first wedding last weekend and have a bunch of photo sessions this weekend, so keep and eye on my photo blog ;o)

Happy Birthday to my Baby Girl

I am not quite sure why, but 7 sounds so much older than 6 to me! I spent most of the weekend watching home videos from when Melanie was a baby up until she was about three. She had the sweetest little voice and cheeks you just want to kiss. Now she's looking so much like a girl and not a baby. As more teeth come out and her chubby cheeks go away, it makes me sad. But it's great to see what an AMAZING girl she's becoming. Today we went to the store to use a gift card that she got from Nana for her birthday. Melanie decided on her own that she was also buying each of her siblings a present with it as well. Then when we got home she served us all a plate of snacks...such a random girl! I'm excited to see what this year holds and trying to hold on to each moment that she's still a little girl!


This bridge is at a park we've been to a few times this summer and I just love it! Melanie struck a pose for me when we went on thursday.

What woman wouldn't...

die for these lashes! Since the day he was born, Brandon has had the longest. thickest lashes I have ever seen! People are constantly commenting on them wherever we go. Of course Mr. Shy absolutely hates it when people say anything. I'm sure he will appreciate them when all of the girls are after him in high school because of those eyes!

I've always wanted to try to get a picture of his lashes, but he just doesn't coorperate with me these days. So last night I waited until he fell asleep and snapped away. I also got a fun new toy for my camera, so I needed a willing subject. Sad that willing=asleep in my house LOL! To see just how long and thick they are, click on the pic and see it full size...ridiculous!!

Graduation & Awards Night

This week was full of fun activities as school was winding down and so were lots of the kids activities! Brandon had his graduation from junior kindergarten on wednesday. I am sad because I really enjoyed the school that he's been at the last two years and we are both going to miss all the great people there! He is sad because his bestest bud in the entire world is going to a different school than him next year!

I didn't get a great diploma shot as I had Brooklyn in one hand, the video camera in the other and the camera resting on my arm...it looked pretty interesting to say the least. But I did manage to catch the shot right before he smiled LOL!
Later that afternoon we had the kids awards night for AWANAS. AWANAS is a program at our church where the kids get to go each week and play games, hear stories from the Bible and recite their Bible verses that they've been memorizing throughout the week. I didn't realize the capacity to memorize scripture at such a young age, but both Brandon and Melanie finished their entire book!! I even found myself memorizing the verses right along with them. It was such a blessing for all of us. This is their group leader and the certificates they got for completing the year!

One Season under His belt

Brandon's season lasted about a month longer than Melanie's softball season. He played 22 games. He LOVED being up at bat, and did NOT love being in the outfield. For the first half of the season he would go to his position and plant himself there like a statue. He did not go for the ball unless it went right to him LOL. Towards the end of the season he was actually running to get the ball and throw it to first! Brian helped coach his team and had a blast! I love watching the kids play and having their Dad out there coaching. These are some pictures from the end of the season pizza party. This may have been Brandon's favorite thing about the season too ;o)

Here is a quick slideshow that our AWESOME Team Mom put together :o

Women's Retreat

What an AWESOME weekend for me! I was so blessed to have Brian at home with the kids so that I could sneak away for some much needed down time. I was missing the kids by Saturday morning, but it was so nice to take off my mom hat and just worry about myself! I was encouraged by all of the women who spoke, had a blast hanging out with women from church who I usually don't get to spend time with and loved getting to know people I didn't know before. When the weekend was over, I was encouraged to focus more on God rather than trying to manipulate just about everything in my life by myself! I also came away from the weekend with closer friendships and excitement! Here are some of my favorite pics from the weekend...a few are scenic and a couple are from our crazy photo scavenger hunt









!

Camping

We had such a great time camping over Memorial Day weekend! The first thing the kids did was help Dad make a fire pit. Then we did most of the usual camping stuff...set-up the tent (which we didn't sleep in *LOL*), and got everything situated at our campsite. The kids spent the first two days riding bikes. When they weren't riding the motorcycles they were riding their pedal bikes. Melanie was already off of the training wheels, but this was Brandon's first weekend without them on his dirt bike.

Brian brought the BBQ and we ate better out there then we do at home. The kids roasted marshmellows, went on a flashlight adventure and even saw a baby sidewinder rattlesnake. Daddy relocated the rattlesnake...but everyone was still a bit scared so we decided between that and the wind, we were sleeping in the trailer *LOL*


My favorite part of the trip was the first morning when my wonderful husband made fried eggs, bacon and even coffee and we got to sit down, watch the sunrise and eat a peaceful breakfast. All of the kids were still sleeping, we actually had to wake them up around 8am because their Grammy, Grandpa and Nephew were headed out to join us.

I'm excited to do this again in the future and have a bunch of fun memories for our kids! I wish I had gotten more pictures, but it was so dusty that I was nervous dust would get in to my camera. Next time I am going to bring my point and shoot so I'm not as worried.