Summer Swimming

I couldn't let the swimming season end without posting
some pictures of the kids enjoying the pool. I can't even count the
hours that have been spent in our pool. It is well used not only
by our family but the many friends and family we have come
over during the summer.

Football Season Starts

Now that football season has started, it basically
takes over our lives. Since August 10th the boys have
had practice 6 days a weeks for 2 hours each night.
You might be asking yourself what in the world Maddie and I
do every night. Well, I usually walk around talking (not a
surprise) and as you can tell from the pictures, Maddie has
her own little gang of friends that eat popsicles all night.

Here is Casey before a scrimmage game.

Here is Ryan in the maroon jersey.

Here is Riley with his hands up his friends butt playing
quarterback. (he'll love I put this)!

Here is Colby practicing with his flag team.

Here is the studly coach whistle and all.

Pretty Flowers

I wanted to show a couple pictures of my
flowers that I have worked hard on this summer.
Normally I am NOT a green thumb, but I committed
to keeping my flowers alive this year and actually
make them beautiful, So I overdosed them on water
and miracle grow. And it worked. It may seem silly to
some, but I'm even going to post more pics because I
am really proud of myself!

Pretty Girl!

Good Friends=Good Times

What is more fun on a nice hot day than having friends
over to swim, eat, play a little boys against girls (yes adults)
volleyball, and just enjoy each others company.
Normally I am not quick to put a picture of myself in a
swimsuit on this blog, but I needed to show the highlight of
the cookout which was the homemade donuts I made on the
grill.

Some of the kids piled on the trampoline.

Kelly and Dan

Lisa and Jay

Swimming with "Big Daddy"

Maddie LOVES to swim with her Daddy. Especially in her
birthday suit.

Casey's 9th Birthday

Casey had a great 9th birthday in July! It is hard to believe that
he is already 9 years old! He was thrilled to get a hamster cage,
but after declaring that the cage we bought him was
a piece of you know what, we took it back and
ended up with a new cage and a guinea pig Casey named
Rhino.

It's been a tradition for a few years now to take their
picture in front of our birthday sign. Check out the muscles!

Camp Doyle

We put the tent up and built a fire and let the kids be
kids. They had a blast. They looked at stars all
night and told stories. Casey had his best buddy Cole
spending the night with them. I lost a lot of
sleep that night because I kept thinking one
of them would be coming in during the middle of the
night, but none of them did. I'm not sure how they slept out
there though, the crickets and frogs were deafening!

Ryan's off to Scout Camp

Ryan went to Scout Camp for his 1st time.

The camp was a week long and he had a great time.
He did a lot of fishing and canoeing. It's
amazing how little kids really miss TV, computers, video
games etc... They had real quality time with
the outdoors and friends. He did come home
with a keepsake which was 4 stitches to his forehead
after he was struck by a paddle.

This was a tent he shared with one of his friends
from church.

Bro. Gormus was a great example and a big help to
Ryan this week.

Time for another Tea Party

So for the past couple of weekends we have been going to
some local tea party protests. If any of you are
discouraged by what is going on in our country, please
get involved. The best part is reading the signs that
people come up with.

I took Ryan and Riley to meet the gentlemen that are
running for Attorney General and Governor.

Even Casey was in on the action.

Trip to Boston

We drove up to Boston for the weekend to see old
friends and family. We all had a great time. We squeezed
a lot into a couple days but it was worth it. We loved spending time
with our good friends the Brunelle's. Thanks for
the great meal and memories.

We went into Boston with Steve's sisters family. It was fun
to hang out with Laura, Phil, Jack and Michael. Thanks for
being such great hosts and tour guides!

This was us on a boat going across the Boston Harbor.

This was a destroyer from WW2 that we toured.

The Tall Ships were in town so we were able to see them.
(Is Ryan taller than me???)

A highlight was taking the "T" (subway) into Boston.

The cousins

Laura and Steve eating at Steve's favorite pizza joint.

Another reason Steve and I went up this weekend was to attend
a reunion for the company Steve and I worked for. In fact it
was the place that Steve and I met. We had a lot of great friends
that we worked with and it was great to see them after 17 years. The
crazy part was, we all still looked the same. It was fun to reminisce about
our "younger" years. We spent a lot of time together both at
work and after work. A lot of ski trips, golf trips, going to Cape Cod, and
just hanging out having fun. Thanks Clean Harbors! I not only
met my husband there, but I have life long friends!

Bye! Thanks for another great visit!

The best part of our summer is when Natalie and
the crew come out and visit us for a couple weeks!
Over the past several years we have had a great time
either at the beach, at the many museums we have
visited, bowling, hanging out in the pool, or just being
silly. Wherever we go, we look
like a daycare walking in with 10 kids.
We will always cherish these memories. We love you Justin,
Katelyn, Paige, Ashleigh, Makenna, and Natalie!

The CRAZY moms!