Summer in Rewind

The kids are in school today- well two of them, and the other two are napping. Perfect. I will get some sanity back into my life!

We spent the first 7 weeks of summer swimming like crazy. Sarah and Kate both participated on the swim team and had such a good time, not to mention both have become amazing swimmers. I love watching them race. I also love seeing them proud of themselves when they do well and improve. Tyler took swimming lessons and also become a better swimmer. He loves the water as well. I think you have to love the water here in Maryland because it gets so hot and humid and that is the only place that feels good. Or maybe we are weird!

We blessed Megan on the 3rd of July. She looked so beautiful. My mother-in-law made her dress. We had a nice day even though it rained that afternoon/evening. We had invited a lot of friends over to celebrate with us and had to pack everyone into the house-even though that was not the plan. Steve's parents were here for 2 days before they headed to Palmyra for a mini mission. My mom stayed the week and we played lots and she was able to watch the kids swim, which was a highlight for the kids and my mom.

After swimming we headed to the beach- The Outer Banks in North Carolina. It was about a 6 hour drive. We have beaches closer, but we were told this beach is much more family friendly. And it was. We hardly took any pictures. I just wanted to relax. We did the beach everyday, and then added other activities like miniature golfing, shopping, lighthouses, watching fishing boats unload their enormous catches from the day, rented a wave runner, saw wild horses on 4 wheel drive beach, and of coarse ate out. We rented a little cottage a block from the beach. It really was a fun time for the family. The only hard part was keeping Megan out of the sun.

August was a relaxing month with not much going on. Steve had to work then entire month- he wasn't allowed to take time off because of the closing of Walter Reed and the move to Bethesda. It is bittersweet to see the hospital close. It has been a place of good memories for our family!

Steve's cousin Elisha and her family (Mike, Brennan, and Cami) visited last week and we went to the Zoo in the city with them. That was such a fun day. We were at the zoo for 6 hours! We have never spent more than 3 hours at a time there. We saw so many cool things. Of course I forgot the camera. There is just so much to bring with 4 KIDS-lunches, stroller, KIDS, purse, KIDS, diapers, blanket, snacks, and did I say KIDS? But I really enjoyed being there and seeing the kids get so excited about everything. It rained pretty hard on us there and we were soaking wet for a few hours. But that made the zoo empty and all the better!

We also went to the County Fair in August. I am weird again, but I love the fair here. Steve went with us for his first time. He was so much fun to take. I am the "cheapo" there and he was the "big spender". We had yummy grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese curd, ice cream, drinks, and funnel cakes. I said no to the roasted nuts! I must add that this is an Agricultural Fair. It has everything a fair has plus TONS and TONS of animals. I love looking at all the animals-cows, chickens, pigs, lambs, goats, bunnies, etc.. The kids did one ride and were happy with that. We took a little tractor ride around the park too. We went on a perfect evening where the weather felt so nice (we call it Utah weather). The evening was cool and crisp (versus hot and humid). Loved it! I also took the kids another day with some friends. I told you we are weird! There is just so much to see.

I am forgetting a few fun memories and will add them soon. Thank you summer for a great time with family and friends!

My mom and Megan.

Riding the Metro into the city. His FAVORITE thing to do. TRAINS!

Best buds.

AHH! She is so cute. This was taken while hanging out at the pool.

This is how Megan spent her summer days- sleeping them away.

Steve and Tyler at the top of the lighthouse. We climbed a lot of steps to get up there!

Looking for sand crabs. FUN!

Wild horses on the beach in North Carolina. So pretty.

Cutie Kate!

Baseball with the family.

Swimming at a neighbor's pool while my Mom was visiting.

Cute Megan loved the water and it was so warm- being a private pool.

Lake Cunningham with Grandma in Utah in town.

Come on Grandma! Get rowing. I told you it would be easy!

We went to the Nationals baseball game with my Mom.

Steve's parents and Megan.

Fireworks in D.C.

Sweet Megan and Dad

Water Boy!

Gloria and Megan. Thanks for the dress!

Grandma in Utah and Sarah out rowing at Lake Cunningham.

Megan's blessing day!

North Carolina- Outer Banks

Why is it so hard for everyone to look?!

Sarah and Dad were a great match for the ocean. Steve LOVES the ocean.

One of the many lighthouses there.

We were able to climb one. What a great view it was.

Playing with the birds on the beach.

Just having some fun!

It took almost the entire week before Kate realized how much fun it was to play in the waves. Tyler never dared to venture out unless I forced him to or he had to wash sand off.

Sarah and I. We had a good time together in the water.

We couldn't keep her out of the water-as usual.

Picture at the Wright Brothers Museum.

We listened to a presentation about the Wright Brothers.

It was wonderful to think about how amazing their inventions were.

We are so blessed because of what they diligently kept at- the idea that man could fly.

Kate at the pool with friends.

Go Sarah!

Kate started the team with barely being able to swim. By the end of the season she was competing in Freestlye, Breaststroke, and Backstroke. She even knows the Butterfly, but is still perfecting it. Kate you are diligent and hard working. Good job!

Tyler made the pool his second home for the summer. Every morning for 6 weeks we went to the pool for practice. He hung out and played around. He often would bring a backpack full of toys.

This cute face made EVERYONE smile. She has been a delight!

Tyler with his friend Danyal- playing at the girls lemonade stand.

SUMMER = Lemonade Stand

The kids did a lemonade and cookie stand one day. Their friends joined them and they loved the experience. The kids made about $25.00. They had some VERY generous tips- as the lemonade was only $.25 cents.

Talented Sarah. She is a great swimmer and made it to Divisionals once again.

Sarah works hard, but is naturally a gifted swimmer. She loves the water. We are keeping it just as a summer sport for now though.

Sarah ready to go! She is funny because right before her turn, she plays with her goggles. She puts them on and presses on them about 100 times. I think it is a nervous habit for her.

Perfect Baby. One night I was out talking with a neighbor, holding Megan just like this, and she fell asleep. Steve thought it was so cute and took a picture.

We blessed Megan right before the fourth of July.

We were so grateful to have Steve's parents and my Mom come out for the blessing and a visit. We had a fun time watching fireworks in the city (DC) but will never do that again. First of all you have to take Metro. Second, it is packed in DC. Third, the firework show is not so good. And lastly, Sarah was so disappointed when everyone stood up and she couldn't see the fireworks- well we all were! We were right behind the monument and they let the fireworks go right behind the monument, but on the opposite side from us.

Oh she is so cute!

At the beginning of summer Steve made Major! Yeah because that meant a pay increase.

We will take those gladly!

Putting on a star of some sort. I still don't know what this Army stuff is all about.

My goodness! This has been a lot for one post. Speaking of "My Goodness", we watched Shirley Temple movies at the beach each night. They are so cute. We all loved them. If you have never heard Shirley Temple say that phrase, pick up her movies! The end for now!