Summer Stuff (with pictures)

Highlights from our summer so far (literally the last few weeks)

*legoland: Our boys are obsessed with legos right now! They have been wanting to go for weeks, and they loved it!

*zoo: I took the kids for a few hours before picking Matt up from the airport the other week. They wanted to do the playground more than seeing the animals:). Do you think we go too often!?! #seasonpass

*aquarium: We got season passes! The kids loved going! We’ve already gone twice now!  Plus, Centennial Park is right next door!!  It’s so nice to let the kids run there (after having to stay close and not run in the aquarium) before driving home!

*my sister, Joni’s high school graduation: I’m so proud of her!! She’s going to UGA in the fall!

*time with my sisters in town: Annie and Olivia came in town for Joni’s graduation. We literally were at the my mom’s pool five days in a row to hang out! So fun!

*hanging with my nieces: Two of the cutest girls I know!! I can’t believe they are both turning one so soon!

*our air conditioner broke: There were a few really hot days around our house, but God so graciously provided us with a replacement!!  There were a number of pool days in there too 🙂

*I think there’s been six family member birthdays!?  Haha I feel like I am always trying to think of a gift to buy or make that would be sweet and special.  Coming from a big family definitely keeps me on my “deal” look out while shopping!

*running: since a bird, her nest and four eggs have taken home in my jogging stroller…I’m getting to enjoy some runs without pushing my cute kids! Haha although the run is easier, I kind of miss that time with my kids!?!  Here are some pictures from my Memorial Day run with my sis and niece.  We might have bought tanks from Old Navy to be our “race shirts”…cause we are fun like that! 🙂

*the pool: the kiddie one and my mom’s pool, have both been enjoyed!! Caleb is obsessed and would swim all day everyday if he could! I love it!!

*water spray grounds: I love that this is right by our house! I should probably get a membership there too!:)

*sewing: I have been working on two rag quilts! Here are a few pictures of one I made for Emily’s Reese.

*playmates with new MOPS friends: I have been so blessed by this group in the last few months!!

*two college students coming in town for the summer to work with us and Broken Voices: there’s a team atmosphere and our kids love, love all the excitement of people coming and going all day.  One of Katie’s first jobs was organizing the office!  What a horrible task, and she did an amazing job.  She’s incredible!

*we got new floors in two rooms! They are gorgeous! No more dog “accident” stained carpet!  Here are two of my cuties dancing together on the new floor!

*we went to the lake for a day/night with some close friends who live in Iraq: It was so good to see them and get extended time to catch up!

*Traveling:  Matt and I both have been traveling!  Our poor kids are all out of whack from having solo parents on duty at different times.  Matt was gone for a week, I was gone for five days, and now Matt is gone for another week.  Can’t wait till Matt is HOME and our next trip will be a FAMILY trip all together!!  Whenever one of us leaves, we write each family member a note and hide it somewhere in the house.  The kids literally run looking for their letters.  It is so sweet.  The person leaving usually finds hidden letters in his/her luggage too.  It’s so good to know you are loved and missed:)  We usually put a recent picture of us with that child/spouse at the top of the letter.  Plus, we write about whats going on and any new milestones we are so proud of.  I guess these letters could be like a collection of love letters that are like our family diary?!  Here is our sweet set of letters from Matt’s first trip away.  I save all these in a shoe box…one day I hope to make a book with them!!

Whew, that is a lot and I couldn’t be more excited that it’s only the beginning of the summer and there is more fun to come!!  I hope you are all having a wonderful summer too!!