Lucas's first day of Pre-K!

Wow.  I cannot believe my baby boy has started "school"!  He was SO ready and we know he will have a great year!  It is unfortunate that none of our kids have attended the same Pre-K, due to circumstances beyond our control.  I must say though that we haven't been disappointed with ANY of their schools!  They have all been wonderful!

The kids even think Lucas's school looks like more fun than the ones they went to!

The night before his first day, he finished his "homework" by decorating a Bee!  He used do-a-dot markers, glue and glitter!  (And yes, he got a MAJOR haircut, complete with SPIKES!)

He thought it was extra special that his first day of school was DAD'S BIRTHDAY! 

As soon as he woke up, he was ready to pack his lunch!  He goes from 9am-2pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

 Where did our baby go?  He is looking SO BIG these days!

 He LOVED his first day sign!

His school has at the door drop off.  A teacher gets the kids out of the car and walks them in.  This was fine with Lucas- as we said goodbye to him he didn't even glance back.  He just walked off with a big smile on his face, holding a teacher's hand!

He had a great first day and "stayed on green" (they use a red, yellow, and green light behavior system).  Way to go, Lucas!

Dad's birthday

We enjoyed celebrating Daddy's birthday one day early this year.  His actual birthday was going to be a busy day and we didn't want to rush our little party.  We had pizza (his choice!), and even a special drink!

Emma decorated the cake, with just a little help

Samuel couldn't wait to give Dad his presents!

Both boys were a BIG help with opening gifts!

We love you Dad!

Block Party

The downtown Block Party is always a summer highlight for us.  Though school has already begun, this is generally a really hot day and feels full of summer fun!  This year, though not as steamy, was no exception...

 Nathan, big teenager that he is, got to wander around on his own while the younger kids did some other things.  (He has a cell phone now so we knew he was easy to contact).

Lucas was the only one who was eager to get wet on a nice, big, waterside!

They all liked the obstacle course.

 After dinner that evening, Dad made us a special treat-- HOMEMADE ICE CREAM!  

 This was his first time using his new Ice Cream Maker, and it was de-lish!

 The freaky Daddy face

Hammock

We took care of our neighbor's cat when they were away for a bit this summer, and they brought us this neat hammock as a thank you!  The kids (as well as Mom and Dad) have really enjoyed it!

 

First Marching Band

without the marching this time

Nathan is on the far left with the base drum

Preschool Orientation

Lucas was a little put out when Dad and I went to a parent orientation at his new school WITHOUT him!  He couldn't wait for the student orientation the next day.  

He did a pretty good job listening to Ms. Mindy (who happens to be a friend of mine).

 The Pre-K classes are Busy Bees

 His place at the table

Mourning

Heading home from an out-of-town visitation and my mind is full of childhood memories... family gatherings... Aunts, Uncles, cousins... parents, grandparents...

Whispers of moments shared with so many who are no longer here...

Families have grown... and changed... and lost. They line the roads as I look back upon my youth and young adulthood. Some, the caliber of which I am convinced I will not see again in this life. 

To say I am proud of my heritage barely scratches the surface. I can see my heavenly Father more clearly through the goodness and love shown through these generations. Not perfection. But humility and service... and strength that leaves an imprint long after they are gone.

Aunt Margaret, Uncle Richard, Granddad, Dad, Aunt Helen, Aunt Carolyn
Outside of our current home when it belonged to my Granddad.
Richard is the only one who remains.

Eighty

We just set our 80th frog free!  Actually, we recently learned that these little guys are called "froglets".

First Day of School

For three of our four kiddos

 

Nathan enjoyed his first day of HIGH SCHOOL but he was worn out after a full day plus tennis practice! 

Emma and Samuel did well at home for their first days!

Snail

Emma spotted a snail in our yard the other day and then we found another nearby.  We took them over to the picnic table and watched the one who would poke his head out, explore.  It was so neat!

This guy

Sometimes I look at him and still can't believe he is mine.

He is a good man... to the core.  He is sweet and patient and kind.  He tries to do right in all areas and is a hard worker.  He is a loving husband and a great father.  

If you know him, then you already know these things.

My heart swells with pride as I watch him serve God.  

We have been co-teaching a new Sunday School class this summer, called Married with Children.  We began with just a handful of people and have grown to 25 this past Sunday!  As I sit by him and listen to his words and hear his heart, I feel so blessed to have him as my husband.  I am proud of where the hardships in his life have led him.  He has allowed God to use trials to build his character.  I can see his faith and appreciate the humility with which he speaks as he shares the material and his experiences.

And I feel so very blessed to be his.

Tappin

Ponytails

Lucas has had a thing about ponytails off and on.  We don't make too big of a deal about it, but do put them in his hair when he requests them.  Sometimes it has come from silliness, first one, then two, then three at the same time.  The other day he just wanted them in his hair- TWO, and that was that.

New Camera

I have been saving most of my photography money for the last year and a half or so in hopes of buying a new camera.  This summer I identified the one I want and realized I wasn't too far from being able to get it.  The problem is that I have taken this year off from photography so I haven't added much to my savings (other than money from some graphic design I've been doing for a friend's Eating Disorder Clinic website).  I talked it over with Brian and he agree that I could borrow the money I was lacking and order the camera, with a plan to repay it very soon by scheduling a set of "mini-sessions".  I opened up two Saturdays for 10 sessions (20 minutes) each at a set price for 5 pictures.  The response was great and I made well over what I needed to pay us back.  The rush for me was that I really wanted to have the new camera before taking Cole's Senior Pictures!  I received the camera in early July and was able to use it for the mini sessions as well!  

I am really pleased with it though there is still a bit of a learning curve.  I haven't had much time to play with it since I've been working on all my client's photos, but here are a few random pictures I took here and there while trying it out.

 Samuel's "mustaches"