Busy

Blogging has been prioritized way behind move preparations, but I thought I'd post a few pictures of the fun things we've been up to in between and in spite of the stress.

Picking and eating the garden. Peas are instant gratification. No tomatoes yet, but squash, beans and cucumbers fill out almost every meal.

Sliding...

...splashing...

...and diving (and of course, swimming) at swimming lessons.

Pirate birthday parties with good friends.

Pigtails!

Eating lots of icecream.

Catching toads in our UPSTAIRS bathroom. I was in the shower and heard Miss A saying: "Foggy, foggy!" Me: "Do you see one?" (thinking it was in a book) Miss A: "Yah." Sure enough. No one claims responsibility and we still don't know how he got there.

And catching up on snuggles and good books.

Fireworks

E's parents and Aunt Janice left this evening on the train back to Colorado. E and I feel like we barely saw them, but the kids have been very well loved (and read to). Thanks to the generosity of Grandad (or did the non-stop begging have something to do with it?) we had a fun time setting off our 4th of July fireworks the last night before they had to go.




Happy late birthday, America!

Marshmallows for Breakfast

We went camping with a fun group of friends a couple of weekends ago. It was Miss A's first camping trip and all the kids had a blast. E and I were mostly tired, but I guess that's how it goes....we look forward to getting to our pop-up in Colorado so it doesn't take as long to pack and unpack as it does to actually camp....plus even a crummy mattress will be better than the ground...Fun, fun, though!

First morning.

Miss A with her favorite friend, "Kay-yin Yun Yoon" (Kaitlyn Ying)

All the kids getting ready for the big triathalon.

Concentrating up the big hill. (TJ was so proud he won this leg)

Not so sure.

Cheese balls!

Popsicles for all!

Hmm....How long does it take J to burn a stick? With this many kids, we were never without a burning stick and you had to be fast if you were on the smores assembly line.

She really was that happy most of the trip.

Shoot!

TW didn't get a bb gun for his birthday (he said it was what he REALLY WANTED MOST OF ALL two days before, so that was a little too late....), so I told him I'd pay half and he could pay half. He is now armed and ready for any little animal or tin can that crosses his path. He's very proud.

He can barely cock it himself.

Crack shot.

J commented that if it was a real gas can, we shouldn't shoot off it.

Texas, Our Texas

All hail the mighty state.
Texas, our Texas,
So wonderful, so great.

Anyone want me to keep reciting the rest of the Texas state song? I can. I'm back. And, even more important for blogging, my internet is finally back. Miss A and I had a great (very short) trip to Texas to visit family a couple of weeks ago. It was wonderful to see everyone and to get to spend a little time with my grandparents and Miss A had fun, even though she wouldn't let anyone but Grammie touch her. Oh well--maybe next time! Here are a few pictures from our trip.

Grandad and Grandmother--my mom's parents

Sporting the new stocking cap her great grandmother gave her. Did I mention it was over 100 degrees while we were there? She even wore it to bed.

With Grannie and Grandad.

Boldest and grandest,
Withstanding every test.
So empire wide and glorious,
You stand supremely blessed.

God bless you Texas,
and keep you brave and strong,
So you may grow in power and worth,
Through out the ages long.

Told you I could. Not too bad, considering I was TJ's age when I last sang it....

Biking

We went on a fun bike ride Sunday night with friends. I didn't take my camera, so for the full story with pictures, visit my friend, Holly's, blog at the link on the sidebar.

Fishing

Saturday was our first fishing evening of the year at Miss Sally's (our very kind neighbor). Sorry for picture overload, but I just think my own kids are so darn cute....very unique, I know....but I guess if you didn't like pictures of my kids, you wouldn't frequent this blog...

In fishing news, everyone caught one (except Miss A) and I caught the biggest one, of course. TJ can pretty much do everything himself, unless the hook is really set (yay) and TW learned how to thread his own worm and can get easy hooks out (another yay). J has a very short attention span, but would hold one this time, and Miss A just likes being outside by (and in) the water. Fishing gets easier every year.

Getting ready

(The fish is behind him)

Hook's out, but not impressed with the spines.

That's better...fake smile!

Maybe?

No, thanks!