First Fall festival

Simple, yet fun. The kids and I enjoyed the pansy planting, popcorn, and pumpkin painting (ok, it was markers and glue...but that broke the alteration).

Day three of NL in NRH

Sunday was a lovely, quiet day, enjoying the weather, technology, and music. Since we are such fit people, we took our daily walk. Since I'm a nostalgia person, we went back to see how the Colleyville alpacas were doing in our absence. We wrapped up Sunday night, as we did the other nights, with snacks we didn't need, card games, and lots of laughing.

NL comes to NRH

Day one and two with Mom, Dad, Oom Gert, and Tante Nel. We walked to the park while Phil and Oom Gert made us dinner Friday. Then, Saturday we braved 90% chance of rain to see the Fort Worth cattle drive and ride in a carriage.

Cheers!

From one cup of tea to another.

He walks

It is time.

We're gearing up. And really, very excited!  He took three steps today. This is the third one on film.

"What Else?"

One of Naomi's favorite questions. As in, "What's for dinner?" "Meatballs, cauliflower, potatoes." "Hmm, what else?" Or, "What are we doing today, mommy?" "Well, I think we'll run to the library and the food store; maybe the post office." "Okay, What else?"

So, this is the "what else" that we did this summer, to some degree anyway, leading into the start of the new school year. 

 A whirlwind trip through Jackson where we had to bring the kids to see our old college stomping grounds at Belhaven. Phil and Leif are admiring the men's NAIA national championship trophy,

 while Naomi and I enjoy the lake behind my two-year college home.

A quick trip to Grandma and Opa (sans Phil unfortunately), means swimming, 

 eating,

 Opa's favorite popsicles, 

 and more swimming.

 We had a superb visit with Uncle Joel.

 Even though Leif had hand, foot, and mouth, he remained a cheerful part of the excitement.

Naomi found a pair of reading glasses at Half Price Books and got a kick out of calling herself, "Grandma."

 Enjoying dinner al fresco.

 We met up in Fort Worth with the Petersons to enjoy some Coopers Pit BBQ.

A July visit from Nana and Papaw meant reading and riding. And fun and games.

 We also have spent a lot of time perusing shelves at the library, 

and stretching our imagination in the empty sunroom.

A trip to the botanic gardens in Fort Worth with cousin Jessica was a huge hit. 

 Making the most of dinner prep when mommy is present and not present at the same time: salad spinner and corks. Good times.

 Picnic time! Both kids enjoyed the opportunity to not be forced to stay at the table while eating. I will enjoy this more when the mercury drops 10-20 degrees.

 LOVING a quick, unexpected visit with the cousins!

 There is never a dull moment with 6 kids - 7 years old down to 10 months.

This is a scene that really could be any day of the year, except that I usually don't have a cart per kid. So, I am enjoying help at Target and making the most of applesauce-in-a-pouch.  

Looking forward to posts where we are wearing long sleeves, though I have no complaints about the summer either.

Beach Bums in North Carolina

Well, not entirely.  We did enjoy the beach almost every day, but daily showers allowed us either the morning or afternoon in.  For me, it was a great amount of beach.

Our house for the week.  Great views, housed all of us, and incidentally was right across from a bar which provided a nightly soundtrack.

COLORING TIME!! Also, the only picture we captured with all six grandchildren.  Slackers!

 Sisters fighting for the title: twITCHer Champion at the Cape Fear Museum in Downtown Wilmington. It turned out to be a draw.

I think the sign says it all.

 Enjoying the Michael Jordan lobby - wooden planks and his college journals.

 

 Another rain shower, another craft. Thanks to Opa for extra-large paper and foam stickers. Always a hit.

 Ah, here we are: the waves!

Since we were playing on the beach at night this particular evening, the Bomgaars brought glow stick glam.

 Finally Uncle Neil and Aunt Rebecca's dog Willow came along, and evening walks were a part of the rhythm to our day.  Though attendance on said walks varied, here you can see a pretty good representation of the whole family (once again, as close to a group shot as we got this year.  Ridiculous!).

Yes, another beach picture!  Leif loved the beach! He was fearless immediately, unlike his sister's first beach experience, eating the sand and chasing the waves.

 Across the street from our house, was a great little playground for all the kids to enjoy.

 Luke and Leif raiding the recycling bin.  All this playing makes one thirsty!

 Aunt Rebecca made ice cream sandwiches for dessert one night.

A huge hit for children and adults alike.

 Another night, another walk! Or maybe the same night, different picture.

Murder Mystery, year 3.  Trust us, we didn't do it.

We were sad that it was over so early in the summer. Though Naomi asked about the beach since March, perhaps a July trip in 2014 would be better.  June comes and goes too quickly.