Not Much To Say

I've been bad about blogging lately.  It's not that I don't have the time or the pictures or the stories to tell.  I just haven't felt like putting words to my thoughts lately.  Keeping the kids busy and keeping up with other tasks having taken priority.   And honestly,  at the end (and the beginning) of the day, I'm tired and ready to relax.

I can't help but look at this picture of the kids and realize how much they have grown this summer.  They are maturing so fast.   Kinley will be two in another week and a half and McKenna, well, she just looks so grown up to me lately.   Cooper had his first flag football practice last evening and loved it.  I have a feeling this boy will be playing a sport every single season for a long time to come. 

We have been rounding out our summer with a few days spent at home, enjoying our Legos, our church friends, getting ready for carnival and for school. Tomorrow starts classroom orientations and after that I suppose the reality of our 2013 summer being over will hit. We have a fun day planned for our "very last day of summer" which has become somewhat of a tradition. Honestly, I'm looking forward to that day.  Until then, I think we will continue to lay low, play, and just enjoy being together.

Our OC Vacation in Pictures

Sometimes I'm not sure what I did to deserve these blessings.

Live From Ocean City

Good Tuesday morning from Ocean City, Md.  I am writing this from my spot on the beach.   We arrived safe and sound yesterday after a fairly uneventful drive.  Thank goodness for portable DVDs, lollipops and coloring books.  

McKenna, Cooper and I wasted no time hitting the beach while Earl stayed back with Kinley so she could nap.   When we got out of the car at the hotel we noticed she had a slight fever.   We are praying that its nothing more than the two year molars that are trying to make an appearance. 

The big kids are loving everything about the water this year.  After last years boogie boarding mishap, we weren't sure what to expect with them in the water this year.   Needless to say, we have  purchased a second board and that seems to be the name of the game this trip.  We will likely have to drag them from the water again today. 

Kinley is doing pretty well considering she is completely off her routine and feeling slightly crappy.  She loves the sand and takes every opportunity to rub it all over her body.  Yuck.  She did it to me too yesterday.  I think we are both completely exfoliated!

Last night we headed to the boardwalk for dinner.  The weather was perfect.  Almost cool enough for a sweatshirt.  We ended up walking the entire length of the boardwalk and by the time we got back to the room the kids were begging to go to bed.   Sounds good to me!   They were up bright and early this morning and raring to go to the beach.   

So far we are having a great time and we are really glad that we decided to make this trip.  We definitely need this time together as a family and intend to squeeze out every ounce of fun we can. 

iPhone photo dump

When I traded in my iPhone and upgraded last month I had over 500 photos on my phone.  I decided that this time I would do a better job managing my pictures.   So here goes...

My Facebook friends might have seen a picture similar to this earlier in the week.  Kinley has decided that she has to take six million and one things with her when we leave the house.   She probably afraid we are going to yet another camp or sports practice where she will be bored to tears without a bunch of toys.

On Friday the kids and I made an express trip to Geisinger to pick up my new glasses.  The walk from the parking garage to the clinic took more time than Getting the glasses.   As a result of not wanting to load the kids right back in the car, we stopped at the Atrium for a cookie.  

As if that wasn't treat enough, we also got to visit for a few minutes with Daddy.  This was a huge hit with the kids because they virtually never get to see Earl at work unless they are having surgery - which is not a good way to go see your dad!!

I haven't had new glasses since Earl started anesthesia school.  That was 8 years ago!   Luckily I don't wear them much.    I like this style a lot better so you might actually see me wear them outside the house! 

What post would be complete without a picture of Earl mowing the lawn in his bike helmet?  This is the kind of stuff that goes on at our house.

Saturday morning the girls and I went to spring Bandit from the kennel.  Not the best picture but after having spent the week at the kennel it was kind of hard to get him to stand still long enough for a picture. 

The kids a I set up camp in my bedroom the other night and watched tv for awhile.  Why we ended up in the bedroom I have no clue.  But it was fun.  I love how Kinley used McKenna as a nice place to rest her back. 

All of that brings us to the present where you can find this little one sleeping.   It is the best possible scenario as we have just over an hour left in our five hour drive to the beach.   We finally broke down and bought a roof top carrier for the car which has already proved worth its weight in gold.  We are all enjoying the extra room in the car.  We have only had to stop once so far and with any luck will finish out the drive with no major meltdowns.  We will see.   I'm sure I just jinxed us somehow! 

Golf Pro

This has been a busy week with two birthday parties and the start of Bucknell "Golf School" for Cooper.    He has been waiting weeks for golf to start.  Thursday morning started out a little bumpy.  He was tired and nervous about what the lessons would be like and there were a couple of tears shed before I promised that I would not leave him there by himself.

Once we got to the facility he was all business and didn't give me a second thought.

 

 

 

 

The pictures aren't great because it was so overcast and foggy.

 

Earl has been impressed by how much Cooper's swing has improved after just two lessons.

After the first lesson, Cooper jumped in the car and exclaimed, "That was soooo fun.  I wish I could do that every day."    Oh boy, what have we started?    No, really, we are thrilled that he is having so much fun learning a sport that he can play for many years to come. 

Dear Cooper

Dear Cooper,
In a few short hours you will turn six years old.   I asked you if you thought you would feel differently tomorrow.  You said that you definitely think you'll be a little taller.   I don't know about that but I hope it's true!
On the eve of your birthday I can't help but remember the day you came into this world.  You surprised us, coming four weeks ahead of schedule, on the heels of a hot summer weekend of amusement parks and baseball games.   Apparently you didn't want to miss out on any of the fun.   And fun loving you are !    I love your laugh and your smile and even the mischief you get into.  I can see it form behind your eyes before you even utter a word or make a move.   You have always loved to make people laugh - especially your sisters - although sometimes they get a little annoyed with your tactics. 
One thing that continues to impress me is the heart you have for others.   You are very thoughtful and you think about making things special for other people.   Just this past weekend, while we were visiting family, you colored picture after picture to give to people you barely even know.   And don't get me started on how sweet you were to Daddy on Father's Day.   You sure know how to melt my heart.  I pray that you will always think of others the way you do now. 
Yes, you have your moments where you have to be told to listen or to calm down.  There are lots of times that I shout, "Please let your sister alone!" more times in a day than I care to discuss.   I know we have trials and difficulties and days when we both have less than ideal attitudes.    But I think that it's part of how we learn and grow - you into a young man and me into the mom of a young man.   We stumble every once in awhile but I think we are doing a pretty great job.
This year you've grown taller and more mature.  You've embraced sports with such enthusiasm.   Basketball was a new and wonderful experience for our family and this week you start golf lessons.  Soon, I fear, I will loose you to Daddy and the golf course!  
The year that you turn six is going to be a big year for you.  In less than two months you will be starting school and my time with you each day will be cut a little bit shorter.   I will miss you being here with me during the day or being able to pick you up from school early for an afternoon of movies.     However, I will enjoy watching you make new friends and explore new things.
Tomorrow we will celebrate the six years you have been part of our family.    I, for one, can't imagine my life without my sweet boy. Thank you for making me smile, laugh, care and want to be a better person.   I love you to the moon and back - even when you wipe off my kisses with that silly grin on your face.

Love You!
Mommy

Twin Streams Campground 2013

Warning : This post contains an obnoxious amount of pictures.

We are tired on this Monday morning, having spent the weekend camping with our cousins.   This was Kinley's first time camping and aside from a little bit of bad attitude, she did quite well.   McKenna and Cooper are camping pro's and loved every minute of their time at Twin Streams.
 

I'm fairly certain we were at the campground less than an hour before the kids had persuaded Uncle Frank to take them in the creek.   Truth be told, I don't think they had to do much convincing.   

Zach just loved hanging out with Kinley.   He would have carried her all over the campground and catered to her every need if she would have let him.   Unfortunately, this girl is Miss Independent.

 

Bike riding is a big deal at the campground.  There is lots, and lots, and lots of bike riding.  It was nice this year that the kids were all old enough to ride around the loop or up to the camp store by themselves.

There is always one goofy picture of Earl from our camping weekends.  I'm pretty sure this one wins the prize for 2013.

Meal times were an event with 8 kids and 7 adults. 

S'mores.  S'mores. S'mores.

 

 

All the kids! 

 

It was fun to spend time with Carol and Frank.  We were sad that they could only stay one night with us. 

On Saturday we spent more time in the creek.  The kids love the falls and the little "water slide".

 

 

After the kids were sufficiently water logged we had lunch and sat down to do a craft.  Decorate your own pillow case proved a good afternoon diversion.  Krysta and I even got to sit down for about 5 minutes while the kids worked on their projects.

 

 

Our obligatory camping picture on "the rock" before heading for home.
Camping was the only "must do" on McKenna and Cooper's summer wish list.  We were happy to be able to make it happen so early in the summer.    However, I'm fairly certain they will be begging to go again before the summer is over.