Group Hug

I feel like I dropped the ball in so many areas of my life this summer (and now creeping into fall).  I allowed too many things to overwhelm me which made even the UNoverwhelming things feel like too much to deal with.  Whether it was family, friendship, social, professional, spiritual, personal, I feel like I have wasted a lot of time.

I am going to try to do better with all the live and in person situations, but today I wanted to share a big ol' group hug with those whose blogs I visit regularly.  I am going to try and get back on a schedule so I can visit and comment with a little more consistancy without allowing it to be one more thing that overwhelms me.  Truthfully, I have been keeping up by reading my blackberry at night.  I just haven't had the energy to fire up the computer and make the rounds at night. 

Soooo, it is kinda like I have been spying on you!! :)

I will be dropping by soon!!

Stacey

Swim 2010

Last year, A joined the competitive summer swim team.  This year, L became a Nemo and did swim team as well.

L during a competition.

The one thing that slows him down...looking at his competition!

The finish line!

A in ready position.

A good finish!

I am so proud of both of this year!  It amazes me that just last summer L was really only beginning to be an independent swimmer.  And this summer, he was swimming LOTS of laps everyday and 25' in competitions!  A had a fabulous summer too.  She was in a really large age-bracket this year that had lots of good swimmers in it.  Even though she didn't "win" as much as she wanted, she lowered her swim times between 8-10 seconds in every stroke. 

And this little man endured every practice!  Daddy and I actually split the competitions this year because running after a toddler for 7 hours in the summer heat every Saturday did not sound fun!

This is B's first introduction to actually getting in the water.  At a friend's swim party.  Lots of sideline observing and a little testing of the water.  He wasn't too sure! 

But he sure was happy to watch!!  I love every time I capture this look because you can.just. feel.his.excitement!!

The human cannonball!

Later that week, the kids enjoyed more water fun at the swim team's summer party.

L about to get crazy....

and go for the front flip!

(keep beating heart!!)

And A ready for the running jump....

for her forward flip!

(And we won't even talk about her back back dive/flip that really did stop my heart!)

Hmmm, thinking about it.

Still thinking.

Not so bad.

Going for it!!

And LOVING it!!

Mommy better get bathing suit ready (I boycotted this year.) because I have a feeling that we are going to be in the pool a LOT next summer!

Sweet summer face!

L playing with his friends.

 Stacey

Snap! Crackle! Pop! 2010

A local church hosts the city's fireworks show every year.  Several members of our church, including our preacher, live in the neighborhood adjoining the church parking lot where they shoot the fireworks.  A cookout before the show seemed like a pretty logical choice!

My trio supervising our preacher's grillin' skills!

L hanging with the preacher man.

Daddy and B.

I prefer the natural, not everyone looking at the camera shot!  ;)

Or the silly faces of L shot!  But hey, at least I am actually IN the picture!  :)

I have a confession.

I am a picture cropper.

Don't hate me.

Before

After

The story is that I worked really hard to make sure we had the family look this year.  I was lamenting that we never took family pics.  Apparently, that plea meant taking an extended "family" shot!  If you look close enough (or maybe you don't actually have to look that close to tell!!), you can see that I am talking behind my teeth.  Something along the lines of "why is she in our family picture?"  Something like that.  You can tell that A is pretty confused by her being in the pic as well!  My husband and MIL both brushed it off and said we could just take more pics later. Of course we can!  Cause we know that always works out!  The sweet extra child was part of the missionary family that was visiting from the Ukraine and she had attached herself to A that weekend.  And no, we didn't take more pictures later, so I had to do a little editing.  Sorry! 

 

He must see food!

B and Papa

My special girl!

Fireworks...finally!

Stacey

July 2010

This summer has gone by fast!

Daddy and L working on a carpentry project.

A and A making goop!

L painting his project.

B heading in to check out the big kids' fort.

Saying good-bye to friends before they moved.

B has that love/fear relationship with dogs.

The boys!

My little camera hog! :)

I think he is eyeing O's pacifier!

We sure are going to miss this cutie!

A giving A her going away photo album.  Love the boys squatting in this picture.

Making sure we don't forget him!

Playing

Wrestling

One is innocent and one is contemplating!  B is 4 months older than O.  They were just getting to the fun stage together.  I am sad that they won't be playmates and best buddies.  :(

Making his list while hanging out in his favorite spot.

My little superstah!

He loves to swing like a monkey from our bed!

Another morning adventure!

Wake up sister!

Morning lovin'!

He stole one of sister's chips and is making a run for it!

He settled for pizza!

A's invention.  Can you make out the straw in case she gets thirsty?

Stacey