Good Ol Summertime

I can NOT believe it's almost August. Where is the summer going? Not to say we haven't had a lovely time, but I don't feel anywhere ready for it to end.

We have been spending the past week with family and friends, looking at solar cars, and camping and boating at the lake. It has just been a magical time (even though our lake trip resembled National Lampoon's Vacation a bit), even through that we knew we were blessed and enjoyed ourselves to the fullest.

I have been busy capturing memories and working really hard to get some photo books together for Christmas gifts. I just love finding moments that will bless others and that truly bless me also.

wow, this boy is sure getting big

i adore this shy giggle he has

i love that he let me do this mini photo shoot, and the fact that he has a bit of sauce on his face. that is just him.

Now, this kid is getting big too. he lost his his first tooth last week, and has another one ready to come out too. I'm not sure how this happened all of the sudden, last I remember he just started walking.

We headed to the local science center to see some solar cars made by teenagers across the country, and man were those things neat.

Then we headed to the lake for a few days. It really was a wonderful trip, and to make a long story short. Well, our boat died in the middle of the lake. No one was around, and we had to tie the boat up and hike. When Dan was tying the boat up, we realized that our cell phones were in his pocket...and he was in the water. Amazingly, when we came home and recharged them they worked perfectly! So, anyways, we hiked for about an hour, before someone drove up and gave us a ride back to camp. Then the sheriff (who was boating and helped us load all the kids up and such when we headed out on the lake to begin with) drove up..on duty just to make sure we got back okay. Our boat was still out on the lake, so he went and got his boat again and took Dan out to get it.

We decided to stay in good moods, because, well why not? And, it was great character training for our boys. It all turned out fine and we enjoyed our time there.

i adore this picture

of course he joins along =]

this one loved the sand

the next morning proved to be just as beautiful

good morning!

we headed to the playground and the boys were less than thrilled to discover it covered in these. but we fixed that.

one of my favorite shots

so....he stole my coke. a big no-no in our neck of the woods.

can't you just hear his "aaahhh" after a nice big gulp

We ended our evening walk with a trip into the small town's Drive-In theater to watch Karate Kid. We had the most fabulous time on this little trip. I can't even describe how it felt to watch our boys explore God's world by digging their hands and feet in the sand, making up games, and splashing in the water, all while wearing themselves out completely ready for bed/nap time each day.  I enjoyed having my family all to my self for a few days with no one calling or texting and no where we had to be. (I get selfish like that sometimes)

Off to check off more of our summer list!