Week 30

Wow! What an amazing, fun-filled week.  Nothing but smiles as I look back on the pictures and videos...lots of videos this week.

Sunday, July 17th

I was up in my room doing some major cleaning.  I am missing a bag that Colombo gave me as a gift for Christmas a few years ago.  It has the 4 older kids names and little heads embroidered on it.  Anyway, since it's driving me nuts trying to find it, I basically tore my room apart, including my closet!  Quite the project.  I opened my window and listened to the sounds of the kids at play and got these videos.  It's just a regular summer afternoon.  Summer afternoon.  Two of the best words in the English language.

Dear God, may I also remember these precious moments.

Monday, July 18th
I was vacuuming and came around the corner to find Rocco doing his favorite thing.  I'm still amazed at how many hours he spends on cars.

Jon and Annie and the girls came to hang out.  This is the kids' latest favorite song.

Trevor's version of the lyrics are "Just a small time girl / Livin' in an only world"


Tuesday, July 19th
I'm reading a great book, "One Thousand Gifts."  It's a must read!  I'm thankful for fresh cut flowers on the counter, straight from my backyard.

We gave the kids their treat from Block Island.  It was a simple bag of candy for them to divvy up.  Out of everything, Rocco was dead set on ONLY one peanut butter cup.

Trevor requested this picture.

Wednesday, July 20th
Gabby had spent the night, so Andrea and Gigi came to pick her up in the morning.

Thursday, July 21st
We had a fun morning with lots of guests!  Elizabeth and Mom came to swim with the kids.  Lisa and her friend Shelva joined in.  Four moms, 1 Gramma, 13 kids age 10 and under made for a nice but NOT relaxing time.

Madison and Wyatt


Later in the evening, Colombo and I worked on some weeding and mulching that should have been finished about 2 months ago.  It was still super hot, so the boys kept themselves busy in the sprinkler.



Friday, July 22nd
Daddy took the day off and took us to the BEACH!  The kids had an incredible time.  I'll post more pictures separately.

Saturday, July 23rd
We had the honor of seeing Andrea's sister Kristin and Stan get married. It was a hot day, but a beautiful wedding and great dance party.

I had "Gigi Duty".  That meant sitting in the cry room with her through the ceremony.

Taking her to the hotel before the reception.

 And driving her around to sleep.  Once she left with a sitter, Gabby found me and promptly fell asleep!

Lisa was the photographer, so these are her pictures.  (A couple were taken by second-shooter and friend, Meg.)  You can see plenty more of the wedding and Lisa's incredible work at Dayspring Photography.  (Thanks, Lisa, for sending me these great ones!)

See what I mean?  A great week!

Week 29--Block Island

We took our 9th annual trip to Block Island.  It was our second year renting the "Sweet Retreat."

We went about 5 weeks sooner than we typically do for one reason- the weather.  After a few years of less-than-desirable weather (think torrential downpours, hurricane-type winds, ferries closing), we thought perhaps earlier in the season may work out better.  It did.  We had 5 *perfect* days!

Our first day on the beach we sat next to this beach guru.  The guy carried everything in almost single-handedly and set it all up, enough gear for their party of 10.  He did not stop moving and fussing over the chairs and umbrellas.

On Thursday just the 2 of us spent the day on the beach at Mohegan Bluffs.

The kids spent the week with my Dad and Kiki taking all kinds of adventurous day trips.  Colombo and I got some really good time together.  We are always very grateful for the flexibility, the means, and the willing grandparents that afford us the chance to get away on trips like this.

Week 28

*Note: Just to make myself feel better...Rocco is pictured many times in his pull-up. He is fully potty-trained but wears a pull-up at night. Often his mother doesn't dress him til mid-morning resulting in pictures with a dry pull-up.

Sunday, July 3rd

Tuesday July 5th

I kept Lisa's kids overnight so that we could do a swap, thus giving myself and Colombo an evening kid-free.

Wednesday, July 6th

The kids spent the day with Lisa at her local splash park.

Trevor was a bit tired after such a long day. I transferred him into the house from the van but couldn't get him to budge.

Thursday, July 7th

Rocco LOVES his 'tahs'!

He really wanted a picture with his truck.

Friday, July 8th

Last day with just the two little guys. I caught them in the act of being sweet together.

They love playing "Doctor."

Later on, about 5:00pm, we headed to the church to retrieve our tired campers. It was pouring rain, but all smiles as we spotted each other off the bus. After many hugs and loading the van with their gear, we were off to Outback for dinner. Unfortunately Daddy had to miss; he was stuck doing a cut-over gone bad. But me and the kids had fun telling stories about camp.

Back at home I asked them to give me their tired-at-the-end-of-camp look. Yes, Nathanael returned with a mohawk! His counselor had asked ahead of time and he actually looked pretty great in it.

Nathanael admitted to missing me quite a bit and even a few tears before bed a couple of the nights. Sweet boy.

I bought each of the kids a very small gift in celebration of all being together again. Of course they thought that was great!

So happy to be together again.