Great Expectations

How did this summer fly by already? The pool closes next week, then we'll head out for vacation in less than 2 weeks, and the kids' fall activities will begin after that. We started schooling in earnest this month. It's going so well! Geek that I am, I decided to add a little unit on embryology this year and ordered a book full of pictures and great info. Since we're expecting another baby (yes, you heard me right!), the kids are already preoccupied with the topic so we might as well learn it in depth. We told them about the baby on Sunday evening. They were beyond excited, it was so cute! Needless to say, this will be an action packed school year.

We visited Harrisonburg during Mike's time at Teen Camp. The adventures included a great time swimming with Aunt Sarah at her gym pool, a delicious picnic at the arboretum, the bounce house, and the Dayton Farmer's Market. Charis especially loved the ducks eating crackers out of her hand at the arboretum!

Ready for a wild time of jumping. No one got colds, can you believe it?

My little man

Figgy & Pop took them to the children's museum, always a fave.

Than got some big bags busting with hand-me-downs, including these amazing Batman tennis shoes. He felt SO cool, too cool to smile for this picture.

We enjoyed a Saturday visit with Granna & Grandaddy recently!

Silly girl and her pup

Bethany wins the sun tan contest!

Enjoying "choose time" with my girls now more than ever! They take turns getting one-on-one time with Mommy when we drink decaf together, chat, play games or read a book.

Cannonball!

The kids don't always enjoy our daily walks, but Cub needs it and it's a good habit. :)

Pete & Sally offered to take the kids for another sleepover (amazing bro & sis, I know) so Mike and I could have a date. They love their cousins & all the fun at the Ackers' house!

These girls know how to have a good time.

School year off to a good start.

Joining in on some school work

Cozy reading spot

Little gymnasts working on their bridges

Summer play date with friends

July

Here are some of the highlights from July! This summer has been so much fun. The kids are at a great age right now, and although we would love more babies and toddlers one day, I'm enjoying this stage with these four so much! Mike's job, which some of you know has been more intense than ever, will be finished around the beginning of September. We're hoping the next job will be closer to home than Loudoun County. But we're thankful for it, and in the meantime we're taking advantage of these late summer evenings at the pool with granola bars and cheese sticks, and squeezing in as much Daddy Time as we can get!

We're still fascinated by all the cool critters out here. This was a box turtle we found in our copperhead habitat (um... I mean, in our enormous woodpile).

I love, LOVE my guy!! One of the kids took this on July 4th. A neighbor invited us to watch his fireworks display. The kids were amazed at the fireworks and glad to stay up super late!

Hungry for tomato snacks after the pool.

Bethy's getting so grown up and so lovely!

Taking Cub for a walk before church

We just had to take advantage of 50 cent frosties.

My big girl turned 8 in July! Her big milestone was being allowed to pierce her ears. She and I were both SO excited to go to Claire's and get this done! It was one of the sweetest memories we've made so far. She was a trooper!

Sweet girlie. Happy 8th birthday to our big girl! Care, you're such a sweet little lady and we are tremendously proud of who you are. You have an adventurous, analytical, ambitious, fun-loving personality that is a joy to watch as you grow up. You are so precious to us!

Our friend Jean came along and got her piercings re-done too. Then off to McDonald's for vanilla ice cream cones to celebrate!

Little Miss Responsible cleans her own earrings regularly.

Since Hannah is 6 now, she got to join the "big class" for Wednesday night church, with the other 6-12 year olds. Of course she had to dress up for her first night.

Pete & Sally's family and Figgy & Pop were all able to come help us celebrate Charis' birthday with a cookout and a million water balloons. These girls love their baby cousin Mary!

What good little buddies! They pelted each other (and us) with water balloons.

Sus - what a cutie pie!

What can I say, they're amazing, and they were running around getting soaked with everyone else!

Mary has lots of willing babysitters.

This looks weird because we were just about to get splashed by a kid.

That couch is filling up quick!

Boy time

We go way back. ;)

Lego stable built all by herself!

One of our tadpoles is now a frog. I was proud of myself for saving us $20 by making a homemade terrarium. Somehow I seem to be the one catching creepy bugs all the time to keep it alive...

Daddy dropped me off to grocery shop and he took the kiddies for a donut date!

Than Man's first trip to the barber with Daddy. It was adorable, and he felt very handsome with his nice cut. Ms. Deannie even let him take home a toy.

SO much fun.

Charis and Hannah passed their swim test yesterday, so now they're allowed to swim in the deep end! The pool has made this summer one of our most fun summers ever.

Than Than the muscle man