A hot move-in day with Jack

We'll always remember this day as the day he went through three shirts and learned a lesson in tarp use.  

Back to school

Ruby packed with all of Jack's life essentials, minus the John Wayne memorabilia and rocker lawn chair he forgot to bring

Jack, the college sophomore

Sam, the seventh grader

Backpack full of supplies already dropped off at school

Perfection

This morning Sam came to get me to go into the kitchen since he felt like he had just made the most perfect toast. I guess so?? #tinybitdarkforme

He drives her to school = no bus this year

Caroline, a high school freshman

Grant, a high school senior

Lunch date last day before school starts

We've had a bunch of mom/daughter time this summer. Lucky for me. 💗

Skunks x5

What a group of varmints; yucky creatures messing up our normally pretty calm backyard

Super fire and meteor shower

Made it a very memorable night. Plus we slept on the trampoline. 

We picked up a hat for Jack

Hope it fits him! 

Crack me up

Spot the circles

The day someone sent me at least 30 dress pics

Someone has been talking about high school Homecoming since the middle of 8th grade. 

Why must we always play games with the dead insects?

This started in the car, then appeared on Jack's steering wheel, then back into the car, then on Grants steering wheel and by that time it was pretty much disintegrating. 

Can you spot what's in the backyard?

Something online that cracked me up, not that I know either

Cat as a hat

My phone wallpaper and home screen

A really freaky cloud on a July evening

As we came out of REI

Summer wedding/reception of Emily and James

Me at my cousin's daughters wedding in STL

I don't know why I didn't get a picture of Gary. He looked really nice. It was 105 degrees this day in July so I could say I looked pretty hot! haha 

Lord, I was roasting. 

Sam at grandma and grandpa's house

Sam at grandma and grandpas

The upcoming solar eclipse

I'm excited and glad the kids can be with us for it.

Catch up from July

Here's Grant on the Boundary Waters trip. He was Senior Patrol Leader so had most all the responsibility. I heard he did great, no surprise. He really has enjoyed the two times he's gone on this high adventure trip and has talked about his next time. 

Back home to her baby

Back home to her baby

Sam at the Vietnam War Wall Memorial

In Flora while spending the weekend with the grandparents 

Fourth day finale

The henna tattoo that was Caroline's main request of the trip and then it was off to the airport to wait and wait for our delayed flight, but we didn't mind; what an excellent visit to Florida! 

Fourth day dramatics

Here we are, all three of us

Fourth day thrill

That's us up there dangling in the blue sky above the blue water

Fourth day parasail adventure

Fourth day braids

All three of us had matching braids most days

Third day feast of a meal

Cole and Julia made an incredible meal for us:  BBQd ribs, grilled sausages, homemade cole (haha) slaw, golden beets, roasted cauliflower, jalapeño poppers. This wasn't our only great meal; every breakfast, lunch, snack, and supper was just delicious.  We only ate out once.  

After supper was always music time with lots of singing and conversation. 

Third day auntie lesson in snorkeling

Third day back to the beach

Fins in the sand did not work that well

Third day return to Paradise Grill

Girls' trip to Julia's

Third day fun kayaking

Julia's backyard

Second day treat eating right on the beach

Paradise Grill

Second day fun at the beach

First day fun dead fish

Finished my shower to look down and see this that I had apparently brought home in the swim suit

First day fun with beautiful weather

First day fun boating to Egmont Key

Stopped here for swimming and lunch on the boat, saw dolphins on the way, went really fast and loved it 

First day in FL

Girls' trip to Julia's