Everyday

Here we are walking into church.  It was Caroline's first time with pigtails and she had no idea they were there until she saw her shadow.   "MOM, I HAVE TWO!!!"  

I took this picture sitting on the couch.  Watching and relishing this new beautiful moment.   

I just don't mind little footprints.   I took this at least a week ago and I imagine they are still there.   

Ben's most talented mother has been sewing up a storm.   Look what arrived in the mail.   Seriously adorable and we are so incredibly thankful!   You are amazing, Jane!   

They demand color patterns and meticulous painting and have zero patience to let them dry.

I love to spy.  

ZOOMING in.  

Caroline makes me laugh even when she is not around.  I found this and cracked up; every spoon was used and lined up.      

Cousin Camp Part 2

It was the briefest time with my mom but so worth it.   She swept in with energy and tricks up her sleeve to keep the clan busy.   

8 passengers for a 7 passenger car.   yes, this happened.   mimi in a trunk all the way to the museum downtown.   that is a good grandma right there.   

 I LOVE the goodbye pictures.  Not because I love the goodbye but because look at makena's face.   These kids LOVE each other.  

Because I learned how to take a screenshot

You can learn a lot about how incredibly uncool I am in this thread.   There is that.   But what I also see is a friendship that is one of the most precious gifts I have ever been given.   

Cousin Camp Part One

To those who live close to family this won't sound like much, but we have seen our cousins 3 times in the last 3 months.   That is the same number of times we had previously seen them in 2 years.   Their move out east has given us family time we were desperate for.   A few days ago the 3 cousins moved in for a week of.....

Pool time.  6 kids lined up waiting for me to apply sunscreen.    

Park time.  throwing rocks

angry caroline makes me laugh

Today we went to the national whitewater center.   So much to see and do.   

 A highlight was geo-trekking.  this is ben showing the kiddos how it works.  

 The oldest cousin even got to do a ropes course.   

 The kids are still here, snug in their beds while ben and i are catching our breath.   Part two will include my mom who is flying in tomorrow!  

summer update

Well, it looks like this blog is hanging on by a thread.   Just when I am ready to pull the plug, once again I think of grandmas and grandpas afar who are hopelessly still checking for updates.   It is hard to post without a picture overload.   Some of my favorite posts to look back on are the everyday moments I would never remember.   However, for the sake of so much time passing between posts I need to document some of the more noteworthy parts of our summer.  
1. Beach week
2. Sweet Baden Joy leaving our family
3.  The girls first triathlon

Outer banks, NC.   I will never ever forget this precious time with my family.  

 Before:

After:

I was so sad to take Kinsley from Colorado.  This girl could play in the snow hours after other kids would go inside.  Sadly, we have hardly had 5 inches in the two years we have lived here.   She will always delight in the snow for sure, but there is also something very natural about her on the beach.  A beauty.  

Buddies.   

Best friends.   

 One of my all time favorite pictures:  

Before:

After:

If you are quickly scrolling, STOP.  stop to look at the adorableness of my parents with their grandbabies.    

Baden Joy.  My girl.  I miss her and looking at this picture makes me sad.   She was my gal for 13 years....from a happy silly playful puppy to a happy old lady who wanted nothing more than to love us.  The photo below shows how genetically blessed she was as I took it the day before she died and there is no trace of grey hair.   My beautiful dog.   

The girls saying goodbye.  It was especially hard for Kinsley.  My sensitive girl.   

The girls were in their first triathlon.   Saying they rocked it is an understatement.   I was filled with joy as I cheered them on and I wish I could watch it again in slow motion.  Ben and I didn't realize how thrilled we would be of this accomplishment until the finish line when we couldn't stop laughing due to how proud we were.   

This is the girls warming up before the race...

Getting ready.....

 This was the moment we realized swimming lessons have been worth every penny.  Kinsley had such a speedy perfect stroke I overheard strangers commenting on what a great swimmer she is.  Made my day.  

Hallie Ann.  Winner in her age division 5-8 year olds.   She is an itty bitty five year old and beat all the girls AND boys in that division.  Girl power.    

Do you see the pride in Ben's face congratulating Kinsley after the race?   You better believe we had ice cream for dinner that night.   So proud.