Doyle Academy

Andrew left the beginning of July for almost THREE weeks to the Doyle Academy baseball camp in Lakeland. It was a long time to be without my first born, but he had a great experience. He moved up to the Senior Academy (ages 15 - 18). Sean went out to see him a bunch of times but I only made it there once. Looking at this picture, he looks so big to me. Where did those days of tball go? So excited for this baseball season at WPS ...

Point Defiance Zoo

Pretty carousel girl!!

Day 2 in Seattle was a big trip to the zoo. We packed a picnic, loaded up the car and off we went. My kids were freezing cold in the 58 degree start to the day. The weather was absolutely breathtaking ... high of 75. We had a great day .... complete with camel rides, an unruly tiger, bothersome peacocks, carousel rides, goat grooming and of course ice cream!! Every time I am with my mom or sisters on a day like this, it is bittersweet!! I wish so much that we lived closer together so these days were the normal not the exception!

Boeing Flight Museum

Air Force One

Before we left on our cruise, Meredith took us to the Boeing Flight Museum. Matthew was really excited to see all the planes but especially the WWI and WWII exhibits. We spent about 3 hours looking at all types of planes. We got to walk through an Air Force One plane and the Concorde! Meredith and her boys have been to this museum a bunch, but were great sports showing us all around.

Goofy kiddos!

My flight team!

Fun hanging out with cousins.

Where's My Tooth??

Nice job Tooth Fairy!

Loved her Tooth Fairy Letter!

The first activity we did in Seattle was go to the Flight Museum. All of a sudden, I looked at Julia and realized she lost her tooth! It was hanging by a string for a week. But the tooth was nowhere to be found! Probably she swallowed it. We were all so excited for Julia - this was her FIRST lost tooth. She wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy, who miraculously found us in Seattle and scored a big chocolate bar and $5!!

Vacation Bound

Sean surprised us at Christmas with an Alaskan cruise!!! We booked the cruise right before school started (and sports of course) and were so excited all year for this new vacation adventure!! Andrew and Dad traveled a few days later so Andrew could finish up his baseball academy! We took advantage of the trip to the West Coast to visit with Aunt Mere and her family. My mom went on the cruise with us so she was already in Seattle waiting! We had a seamless day of travel - everything on time, kids were amazing, Mom and Mere were right there waiting for us!! What a great start to our summer vacation!

Bye Dad and Andrew ... see you at port!

Thank goodness for Ipads!

Seat-mates and buddies!! They were incredible on the 6 hour flight!!

More Summer PIctures

Love this collection of pictures from the summer. Spent millions on hours in the pool ... soaking in the sun, playing volleyball and basketball, jamming to music and just having plain summer fun!!

Artiste Extraordinaire

We have known for a long time that Julia had a gift for art. This summer we decided to treat Julia to a real art camp. She spent a week at The Art Room in downtown Windermere. She created so many amazing pieces that are now decorating our house. In addition to the camp, she celebrated Harley's birthday at The Art Room!!

Wrigley Field

Katie and Dad spent a week in Chicago this summer. Katie attending a Sport Performance camp and Dad took her. They stayed with Sean's business partner, Mark. The highlight of the week was the amazing tickets Dad bought for a Cub's game. Katie had a great time (and so did Sean!). Cubs win ... Cubs win!!

Cousin Fun

At the movies - seeing Cars II

At the water park - Team Allergy

Coolest pool toys around

Our for a morning run

Just a few pictures of more fun we had with the cousins. We didn't plan too much, but played most days in the pool!! Lots of cooking, lots of playing, a few meltdowns, a few allergic reactions, but most of all tons of fun and love!!

Family 4th of July

A pool full of cousins. Can't believe this is the only picture we got with all 10 before Andrew went to camp!

My little ones ... Katie and Andrew decided the parade was too early!

Two of the biggest blessings in my life!!

The littles lined up by age!! Girls with bows / boys with sippy cups!

Highlight of the summer was having both of my sisters with us over the Fourth of July!! Nothing like have 10 cousins all together celebrating one of my favorite holidays!! We had our first official blow out bash at the new house. We had such an amazing 4th of July ... tons of friends, swimming, fishing, food, games and topped off with a kickin' fireworks display. Sean stopped on the way home from Atlanta to purchase TONS of fireworks. He reminds me often that they were buy one, get one free. With the help of Gary, Charlie, Troy & Keith - they pulled off a REAL fireworks display!! The only negative thing about the 4th was the annoying bugs!!! We have to work on a bug solution for next year. This will definitely be an annual party!

Picture Perfect ...

Every once in awhile I see Katie with my camera around her neck with Julia following behind. I never know what I will find on my camera. To my delight, one day this summer, Katie took some amazing pictures of Julia. Some of these pictures are my most favorite pictures of Julia ever. They really capture her beauty! I especially love the way her eyes look.