Birthday Fun

Jack found a friend

Christian and Wesley the Birthday Boy

The dirt add just the right touch of sweetness to this precious little girl.

A sweet friends birthday party is always fun.

I didn't get pictures of all the guests, cake, and fun. It's hard to lug around a camera when you have 3 little ones running about. Also, I didn't even get a picture of the Birthday girl.  Good job, huh? It was a duel party for our sweet neighbors and longtime friends.  I adore her spacious backyard, privacy fence, playground, and trampoline.  We just have dangerous stuff at our house like hills, tools, wheels, and sharp rocks. :) Children usually end up bleeding about once a day. I stay stocked up on band aids.

Summer Time and Icecream

Momma Beth brought over her old school ice cream maker.  The boys really like cranking it and the ice cream turns out so much better than those new age electric ones.  One child propped themselves on top while the other did the cranking. Perhaps it's called turning not cranking???? Or churning??? I have no idea! Either way, it was good!

Mud Run

 The lead winners

Have you ever head of such a thing???!!! These mud runs are becoming increasingly popular here in the south.  It's basically a 5K course through hills, tires, barbed wire, walls, slip and slides, ice baths, swims, fire jumps, and other things that I'm sure I've left out.  How fun, right!? The pictures posted above may not be there for long. I didn't ask for permission to post these but it is a private blog now so not too many people can see...hehe. So proud of my Grace Runners friends.  They did a fantastic job and got a thorough exfoliation. This particular mud run served as a fund raiser for Bridges of Faith.

Adoption Event

 There she is! Sweet Aleya Grace Driver!

 Prep work is fun

 I love this kid!

 Aaron being Aaron and Kari being Kari

My sister-in-law and her husband are adopting a little girl from India.  We are pretty stinking excited for them and can't wait for them to bring her home.  Hopefully at the end of summer we will get to hold her.  Poor thing is going to be smothered with hugs and kisses. These pictures reflect their last big fundraiser and I only included a few of the 100 taken.  Kari, I'm going to try to put together an album for you as a keepsake!  We love you guys and we're proud of you! You have worked so hard to bring her home!

2013 Beach Trip

We found a jelly fish washed up on the shore - very cool.

...and of course we had to touch it, examine it....

...then take it back to our room to dissect it and identify the parts...

No vacation is complete without miniature golf.

Jack wasn't crazy about the ocean or the cool wind. Nor did he like the sand for the first day or so. He finally got into the sand but stayed away from the water. He liked sporting beach gear and finding shells most of all.

We found little critters under the pier every day.  It was one of the boys favorite things to do. We took some back to our room on occasion, but they didn't last long.

All year long we talk about the "upside down building" and when we can go again.  I believe it's called Wonder Works and is basically like the McWayne Center on steroids.  Yep, that is a bed of nails down below...a little creepy, but I love science.

For every day we were on the beach we built sand castles.  When I say "we" I really mean the boys and Aaron.  Aaron really gets into this part of the beach.  I really get into the sun bathing and relaxation of it.

Easter

I am going to share some of the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I admire a photographer.  Especially a child photographer.  They are truly worth every penny.  Somehow I am missing the mark and our amateur photo shoots end up leaving everyone in the family stressed out. (Hoping I'm not alone here) Well, maybe just me that is wound up. The kids don't really seem to care either way. On the outside I'm all "Oh, just be comfortable" "No need to get upset" "Just smile like your eating ice cream" "Oh, that's a great idea" BUT on the inside I am screaming "For crying out loud! Could you just be still and look happy!" Stressful. Very. Very. Stressful. I'm not cut out for it.

Quick picture before we left for Church

 and I say "Hey boys, could you stand in front of this door so I can take a quick pic" (to check the lighting) Do you see the look on their faces? Grumpy little booger butts.

 This one if my favorite.  Them, in the raw.

 Looking for trouble

 I took this JUST after Jack had thrown a big rock and hit Ben in the back of the head. Ouch.

 I have NEVER seen him make this face.  What does it mean?