Julia Tball

Look out world! We've been practicing hard!
Lucas, Andrew, Tyler, Jake, Emma, Maddie and Julia
cool off from their hard work with icy treats.

Destin 2011

The kids had a BLAST playing in the pools at Destin West.  

Our condo had the ocean on one side, and the gulf coast on the other.  Our surfing boys preferred the big waves of the ocean!

Julia and Mommy like the pools best!

Chilaxin'

After our condo rental in Destin, we went on to stay a few nights at the house of friends in Navarre Beach.  Navarre is rated one of the top beaches in the nation...we know why!! Beautiful, relaxing, and not nearly as crowded as Destin's ever popular beaches.  

Beach bums!

Julia loved playing in the sand with her Ariel doll and making castles for her.

Ryan LOVED surfing.

We lucked out and some great friends, the Morris family, were in Destin  for the first portion of our trip and we stayed in the same resort.  Tarra, the awesome planner, even brought along two sitters, so we were able to have some adult time on our trip.  Horray!

My munchkins!

Humoring me for yet another beach photo!

We can't WAIT to go back again!

Last Day of School!

This BIG kid, is now officially a FIRST GRADER!!

When he came home, we got to work cleaning out his backpack...THIS "treasure" he insisted on keeping and looked at me like I had two heads when I was trying to throw it away.  He promises me that these are his "important" things.

And somehow the putting away of the supplies turned into crafting time...this is maybe NOT the way to start out summer break.  Clean house = messy house. This transformation happens very quickly!

Which somehow evolved into Ry fixing Julia's hair.  It's not as sweet as it seems..he is trying to make her look like a monster.  Don't think my 6 yr old boy would be giving her princess treatment or anything! =)

Recently, a kind neighbor gave us this train track from her childhood.  Glam and Papa came by and we visited our local hobby store for some supplies to see if we could get it up and running.  Ryan is in HEAVEN.  His train "phase" maybe not such a phase...it's thus far truly been a lifelong hobby! Daddy and Papa are having fun with this new set too.  I am wondering how many train sets we'll need to collect before the madness all ends!

All Boy...

Today I received a phone call from the school secretary telling me,
"Ryan found some mud on the playground and he'll be needing
some new shoes, new shorts, new shirt..um, you probably want to go
 ahead and bring him up an entire new outfit!"
My dear boy, someday when you have a son of your own, I want to make sure you r
emember all these things...and your poor wife..and the laundry she will endure!! =)

Ry's First Teeball Game

Ry had his first teeball game today, and quite the crowd showed up to cheer for our little man!

His first hit...a base hit!
(And the crowd went wild!)

Run to first!!!

And he scores!!

After the game, we enjoyed some ice cream--much needed on this HOT day!

Ry learns some news...

Julia learns some news...

Happy 8th Anniversary and Baby News!

We celebrated an eventful 8th wedding anniversary today..

learning we will soon be adding to our family a...

Happy Easter!

We had a fantastic Easter celebrating with family!

Accident?

Last night, I washed a pair of my jeans and hung them to dry in the laundry room.
This morning, I walked in, picked them up and said, "Oh man, they are still wet!"
Julia says, "You had an accident, Mommy? It's okay. You are still a big girl. Keep practicing!"

Read and Run

 Ry hangs with his friends pre-race.

 He makes it! One mile. Yeehaa! =)
He tells me, "Mom, I think I need to go home and take a shower."

 I forget my little photographer friend (Julia) always views me from this low angle!

Proud finishers of 26 books + 26 miles. 

(They just ran the last mile together!)

Wall Climbing

Julia's climbing dreams came true this morning!

The Y started a new climbing class for her age group. She was super-excited, since the last time we went Ryan was able to climb and she wasn't.  I couldn't believe how brave she was!

Watch out world!

Preschool Worship Time

Julia's preschool class leads the worship time on stage...

Pretzel Making

Daddy and the munchkins busy pretzel making...

I promise they tasted better than they looked!

Ry-ism

 "Mom, sugar just gives me such a good appetite!" Ryan tells me as he eats his morning crepes filled with strawberries and powdered sugar.