Fun in August

Now that it's September (HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE??) I feel like it's time to post some backlogged photos from last month. My sister and her family came to visit us for a week in mid-August. It was a fantastic time! We had cookouts on the beach, visited the sprinkler park, ate at our favorite hot spots (Roxy's, Silver Beach Pizza etc.) and just had a wonderful time. Here are a TON of photos to show you the fun that we had!


Sydney, my sweet little niece, gets sprayed by the fountain.


Asher plays in the fountain.


The girls are SO hard to get in the same photo! So, while this isn't the BEST photo, I'm happy that it has both of them in it. :)


Gabe has just as much fun as the little ones at the sprinkler.


After the sprinkler, we all went to Silver Beach Pizza for dinner. This is a shot Gretchen took of Nate and I ... and our girl.


The Jameson's, looking happy to be on vacation!


At the beach later that week, Rhylah dug herself a hole.


A cheesey grin inside the hole.


My kids, wading around in a surprisingly calm lake during some GORGEOUS evening light!




Boys swimming in the golden light!


Rhy, looking picturesque on the beach!


Sweet girls!


SO Happy!


Digging away!


Cutie pies.


Getting snug and dry after a good swim.





Another sand castle ... another day in paradise!

Visit with Grandma Joan

The kids and I drove to Detroit a few weeks ago to see my Grandma. We haven't seen each other in six years, so it was a great chance to catch up and introduce her to her grandkids, two of which (Ash and Rhy) she had yet to meet!


The kids help grandma unwrap her birthday present.


We spent some time in a park, and Grandma bought the kids bubble sticks. One of Rhy's favorite hobbies is popping bubbles. Here she is, chasing one down!




Grandma shows Rhylah how it's done.


We visited an old cemetery to see where some relatives from back in the 1800s are burried! I just liked this photo because Gabe and Grandma look so cute making the same gesture.


Me and Grandma!




Grandma and Rhylah. They got along famously!






Grandma and Gabriel.


We went to lunch at the Senate, Coney Island. They have the BEST chili dogs ever!

Swimming Along

Just a few more photos from our trip to St. Louis a few weeks ago. We spent one afternoon at the local watering hole, and the kids had a blast playing with their cousin Sydney.




I even took a turn down the kiddie slide! Go mama! :)






Asher was adorable with Sydney, he always wanted to be holding her hand. I think he appointed himself her knight templar for the day!


Sydney and Asher wouldn't let go of their hands, even when tilting down the slide. It was too cute!


Who needs a sister when you've got a cousin to play with!!??


Sydney tries to take a slurp of pool water.


Big brother Gabe accompanies Rhy down the slide.


Rhy gets brave enough to try it on her own.


Asher zips down the slide.

Out to the Ballgame

Last month, we had the chance to spend a week in St. Louis visiting my parents. Nate was off shooting the National Youth Gathering in New Orleans, and the kids and I spent the week relaxing, sitting by the pool and catching some St. Louis sights.
One night, Gabriel, Papa and I took the train into the city and caught a Cardinal game. They played the Phillies and won 6-1. I don't know who was more excited, Gabriel or me! We had hot dogs and kept score, saw two home runs and had a fantastic evening!


Gabe was super excited, especially at that awesome moment when you walk into the stadium and FIRST see the field.


I must say, the view from the very last row of Bush Stadium ain't too shabby!


Like I said, we were in the last row, but they were terrific seats! In the old stadium, it felt like you were miles away from the game when you were in the back rows. Not the case anymore!


Gabe and I kept meticulous score of the game.


Gabe and Papa (who doesn't know he's being photographed as he talks to grandma!)


Me and my baseball buddy.


Gabe at the stadium.

The game was even more sweet for Gabriel, who had just completed an amazing baseball season with the Diamond Backs kids minor league team here in St. Joe. He also made All-Stars and in his second-to-last game, he made his first home run and caught the game-winning line drive of the last inning, with bases loaded and two outs! What a season!!