this kid

I never know what I might find when I come around the corner.

school's out!

And these kids can't wait to rip into all the school supplies they bring home.

15 used glue sticks and a pile of broken crayons....best thing ever!

hello May,

every little square is full.

Just the way we like it.

this one

never stops.

Can't even take off his cleats before he picks up the basketball.

busy season

Ed's been traveling for most of the month of June.

Which means lots of dinners out with these cute people.

summer vacation

We had a last minute chance to spend the weekend at the lake and we took it!

Got there in time for some steak and pasta.

and water fun.

I got this cute picture of Jemma and thought she was sleepy from a day of fun.

Five minutes later she started puking.

Did I mention it was our anniversary?

The plan was to consume this:

 

and chill on the deck while the kids slept.

Instead we took turns with the puker.

Ed went all the way to town for my coffee the next morning.

If that's not love, I don't know what is.

If you have to have the flu, you might as well have it at the lake!

This kid knows how to relax and enjoy the view.

He wanted to swim but he was too sad to leave his buddy:

 

And that is why we love them so much.

lake fun

We headed to the lake for my cousin's graduation party and the kids didn't waste any time getting in!

 I was lucky enough to catch this sequence:

Will getting tipsy and...

made a beeline for Jack.

Oregon Coast.

We had a lovely surprise this year.  

The Casebolt clan had an extra house on their annual trip to Seaside and we got a last minute invite to come.  Ed was out of town and Moscow was going to be HOT so I loaded up the kids and hit the road!!

I have no idea why pictures of my kids sleeping in the car makes me so happy.  It just does.

Nine hours later, we ended up here:

just in time for smores.

some morning coloring.

breakfast and shopping with the ladies.

and we got back in time for the first water balloon fight.

Th boys spent 90% of the vacation in that giant hole.  A disadvantage for the water fight, an awesome spot the rest of the time.

 boys.

 all the kiddies for dinner.

 trip to the candy man.  

I won the wheel spin!  My name is now on the wall, the rest settled for ice cream:

the girls made scones on the deck.  

more water balloons

the big kids dancing on the beach

And finally big daddy arrived!

And his hands filled up pretty quickly.

lunch out for Ann's birthday.

Kites!

This was a first for my kids and it did not disappoint!

Ed in time to cook dinner!

This was just a fantastic surprise start to the summer!  We had been talking about going to the coast this summer but just couldn't find a week to make it work.  

The kids just had a blast and I read and read.  

And ate and drank.

Delightful company and a lovely week of sun.

A big, huge thank you to the Casebolts for the best start to summer!

so hot his face melted...

This was the night of Jack's first 100 degree baseball game.

We had just driven in from the lake and we were leaving the next morning for the coast.

Ed was out of town and I still had to do three loads of laundry, grocery shop, pack, and clean the house.

The game started an hour late and I had forgotten to eat dinner.

They played extra innings.

I don't think I have ever hated baseball more.

I do, however, love this fat face and he got some huge plays and won the game.

And he ran over for a hug at some point.

Being a mom, as Jemma says, is hard work but it's good work too.