Summer Fun With Friends (2010)

The Mortenson Family had us over for a swim party at the end of the summer.

The kids watching a movie after swimming and eating.

Rusty's Tri

Look at those "delts"

Every year Rusty does the Tom Sawyer triathlon the first weekend in August. This year Ben and Sam went with me to cheer dad on.

First Day of School August 11, 2010

The day before school started (August 12), we went with the Miller family to Schimpff's Candy shop in New Albany, IN. We took a tour, watched candy be made, and then headed to a Mexican restaurant.

Molly meeting Mrs. Banbury (Sam had her as his Kindergarten teacher as well).

Sam and Mrs. Otter. She is a PERFECT fit for Sam. She has two boys and understands how boys are. Nothing shocks her (which is good for some of the stuff Sam says and does).

Sam decked out in Goshen Gator gear from the bookstore.

All the Kindergartners have to have the same bag for their backpack. Therefore, we decided to "glam" Molly's up a little.

Our cul-du-sac has donuts and juice before the bus comes on the the first day. Molly and Sam catch the bus at 6:50 a.m. Meg and Ben's bus comes at 7:30 a.m. (hence the reason Meg and Ben are still in their pajamas).

My family mocks me at times because I like to take pictures in front of the red door. It gives it a great background and it's tradition.
I CANNOT believe that I have two kids in middle school. I feel like I just left middle school (my kids totally roll their eyes when I make these type of comments).

6th grader

7th grade

Molly getting on the bus her very first time.

Sitting by Lena

I only cried for a few hours after this. My BABY!
She's going to be going to college soon:(.

Cousin Baby Jack's Blessing Day

Our second cousin Jack Blackwell (aka. Jack Black. . .well) was born to Paul and Lisa Blackwell. We had a great day spending time with all sorts of kin folk and attending church together to hear Jack get a blessing from his dad.

This baby has made all my kids "swoon." They love to hold him and talk to him.

Jack is so attentive. He is always wide eyed.

Molly confuses cousin Seth who is 2 1/2 for a baby.

This picture cracks me up!!! Jack is "posing" for the camera!

Molly would hold Jack for hours if he would let her.

Whenever there is family there is a ton of yummy food.

Ben is memorized by Paul's plate.

The Blackwell family

Four generations of Blackwells: Grammi, Paul, Baby Jack, and Uncle Mark

Paul is one of the family favorites. He likes to sled, jump on the tramp and wrestle everyone. He is a 30 year old trapped in a 15 year old's body.

Paul recruited the young teens to have a contest to see who could keep their foot in the bucket of ice water (which held the drinks) the longest. . .

They began dropping like flies.

. . .and then there were two.

Sam missed the contest, and therefore decided to do one of his own. Who could keep their head in the longest. He was the only participant, and therefore won.

What a goof!!!

Christmas in July

We decided to have "Christmas in July." It entailed drawing names for a present, shopping as a family at Target for said present, eating Mexican food (we do that every Christmas Eve), making our favorite Christmas cookie (peanut butter with a Hershey Kiss in the middle), watching our favorite Christmas movie (Fred Claus) and exchanging gifts. I also CRANKED the air conditioning so it would feel cold enough to drink wassail.
I think next year I will add decorating a small Christmas tree.

A Chicago Getaway

We took a vacation last July to visit our friends the Hitchcock family in the Chicago area. We began our adventure with a camping trip. Camping is not my favorite thing to do (to day the least), but because they had an air conditioned pop up camper I agreed to go for 24 hours. I won't go so far to say that it was "fun" (the kids LOVED it)!!! I think it had something to do with the raccoons eating our breakfast, the disgusting port-a-potties, sticky 95 degree heat, and the massive rain storm that hit right before we decided to pack up camp. BUT I was a HUGE fan of the company and the little diner that we found to eat breakfast at while were still wearing our pajamas.

Taking a little boat ride.

Right after this picture I threw up. . .I do not know what was wrong with me. The heat, the motion of the boat, I am jacked up I will be the first to admit!

The Mollster

Before the raccoons decided to "share" our food.

The next day riding the train into Chicago.

Getting ready to take a boat architectural tour of the city.

In the cab going to lunch.

Megan, Meg and Natalie

Ready for the Cardinals game at Wrigley Field.

Molly in heaven, I mean the American Girl store.

Thanks for the fun Hitchcock family!!!