McCousins

We were so excited to spend extra time with our VA cousins this summer. Bradley and Lizzie got to stay at Grandma's house for an extra week after their dad flew home to be with Aunt Julia as she prepared for baby #4. Lucky us.

There was lots of time for swinging on our favorite porch swing to dry off after a swim.

 Lots of lunches on the porch and

 boy time watching big cousin Tanner on the computer.

 We took rides around the field and into the woods

 for some exploring time.

And because there can never be too many fireworks, 

we talked Uncle David into one more show.

Rolling Lessons

For the past few weeks, 

Nathan has been trying to roll over non-stop. 

He has been successful several times, 

but when we see him get stuck we all want to just help him on over.

 Here is Andrew giving him a little push.

 But then he decided that wasn't quite enough.

 What Nathan really needed was an example to follow.

 This is how its done.

 Once you get good enough, you'll be able to roll

across a whole room, like this.

Practicing hard.

Summer Daze.

Even in the summer, most mornings we are up and running. We head out for swim team at about the same time as we do for school during the rest of the year. That makes the mornings when it is too hot to go outside and we have nothing on the calendar, oh-so-special.

 I love finding the kids playing like this together. No stress. No rush. Apparently-no reason to get dressed either.

Just enjoying simple toys and each others company. This is why summer is so welcome around here. It gives us these sweet chances to relax together. 

To remember that family is what life is all about.

Adoration- this is what it looks like.

BIG STUFF

Look who can sit in the saucer seat.

 Nathan seemed to sense the gravity of his accomplishment when we sat him in the one-man-circus for the first time.

He was so serious as he stretched his chunky little legs down to help his toes touch the platform below. 

He just barely made it! 

Then he set out about the serious work of grasping each and every toy in sight. 

The Fourth of July!

We spent the Fourth in Cape with my family.

My brother Mark and his wife Daniela organized a 5K run for all of us. It was super cute (and HOT) with balloons and an official starting line. We lined up and even tagged on name and number sheets.

 And they're off. The boy cousins took the competition seriously. Tanner ran with his uncles and did a good job keeping up too. The rest of the boys rode their bikes for the race. With such high stakes (Andy's custard was the prize) there was a little tension in the air. Head starts were witnessed, bike chains came off, dads had to finish the race with toddlers in tow. All in all though it was a blast. What a great new tradition!! 

 After cooling off in the pool, we spent the evening watching fireworks. The kids lined up for turns helping David put on a show. Some of my favorite childhood memories are of times like these. Family and friends relaxing together. Watching fireworks in the backyard.

 And just like I was when I was little, my kids were in awe of the sounds, colors, and even the smoke.    It is more than a little magical to get to share all of that with each other. 

It makes me grateful more than ever for the country we live in, with our freedoms and liberties. We are blessed and may we use our blessings to reach out and help others.

TOES!

Oh, don't mind me. I'll just be playing with my toes for the next 8 weeks or so.