Family Night

My new favorite way to spend a rainy Friday night:

Breakfast for dinner

Board games with the kids


Oh yes, and cantaloupe from the garden (this is NOT to be confused with cantaloupe from the grocery store, which by comparison is about like licking a rock)

Some restraint is required on my part to play board games with children, but it really helps when I actually LIKE the games we're playing! No Candyland around here - I'd rather eat a box of live snapping beetles! Ok, that's an exaggeration (is there even such an insect?), but I'm so glad we've moved on to some better games. Some of our family favorites at the moment are Monza, Tsuro, Treehouse, Incan Gold, Crazy 8's, Go Fish, and the one in the photo is Pandemic (not really a children's game, but the kids can tolerate it for a time).

How did you spend your Friday night?

First Day of School

Eli started Kindergarten this year. It is so hard for me to believe my oldest is in "real school"! So far Eli loves every minute of his school day and has not asked to stay home yet - he did that regularly with pre-K :) Anna and I are enjoying having some one-on-one time while Eli is at school and my nephew is napping. It is also a good time for Anna to have a little quiet time, and mommy too! Below are some of my favorite shots of Eli's first day!

being silly while waiting for the bus

here comes the bus!

saying goodbye was hard for Anna that first day

on he goes!

"bye mom!"

off he goes!

The Last Year...

...of my twenties! This month I am celebrating turning 29. My awesome husband did lots to make me feel special.

The weekend before my birthday he sent me on a camping/kayaking weekend with my mom, sister, and family friend.




There are simply too many photos to share in the post, so here's a slideshow of some of my favorites



On my birthday we visited a local waterfront restaurant for dinner.






Then the weekend after my birthday we had a party just for me, complete with cupcake cones and ice cream cake! (I didn't play photographer this time, so this is about the best shot I've got of the day)


What a way to celebrate my life - surrounded by family and friends!

Summa Time!

This summer has had us busier than ever. With both kids potty trained and not necessarily taking daily naps, we've been on the go a lot! Eli and Anna love going to the local aquatic center and playing in the childcare area while I work out at least twice a week. We hit the pool afterward, whenever the weather cooperates, which hasn't been all that often this year! Here's a few shots from our favorite summer activites.

Local County Fair

(my sweet cousin Deanna - the kids loved having her visit!)

Playing at the Aquatic Center

Fireworks a day late because the 4th was rained out!

Hanging out at Nana and Papa's