Summer...

Grab a cup a joe and have a seat, I'll try to get you up to speed...

Jakin played baseball this spring, and although he hadn't played before, he was a ROCKSTAR!!! Check it out...

We took a trip to Minnesota for the Graduation Open Houses of Neice Abbey and Nephew Ryan. Being the picture taking loser that I am I don't have any pictures to share with you. (And yes, I'm kicking myself now.) We also spent a little time with my family and it happened to be the going away party for Pastor Chris at the North Branch United Methodist Church where we were for nine years. It was a fast visit, but well worth the 13 hour drive by myself with the children (I think).

I got to go on a Girls Week-Beginning in Kansas City with 3 college friends. We had a great time tanning, shopping, going out to eat, I got my first pedicure... We went to The Melting Pot and had cheese and chocolate fondue... yummy!!

We went to a Twins Game against the Royals and I wasn't torn a bit as to whom to cheer for. "We're gonna win Twins..." It was great catching up with Heather, Tammy and JoAnn and I'm so glad they were willing to come all the way to Kansas!

Had a visit from some Minnesota friends over a long July weekend. Janelle and her two boys and Heather and her two boys and baby girl came to hang with us. With seven boys in the house age 9 and under, there was never a dull moment. Our only outings were to the Outdoor WaterPark at the Y. We enjoyed the water, sun and shaved ice and late night conversations and having a baby girl around.

Camp is always a fun part of summer and again this year we got to go to a week with Daddy. This was a great week for many reasons, first and foremost Jakin asked to be baptised. The evening speakers did a 'remember your baptism' thing at the pool and at the end Jakin told Justin that he wanted to be baptized. So we had a little impromptu baptism. It was AWESOME and I was crying. Jakin may you live for Jesus your whole life long!! You are a great kid and He has great plans for you! The pictures are with the camp pictures, so I don't have one yet, but there are pictures. Clearly not because I took them. :~)

Camp was also great because Asher discovered that he can put his head underwater and still live!! (see 6/22 post "Asher turns SIX") I think this has become his favorite acheivement this summer.

We've been calling it "The Summer of Challenges", but we have yet to conquer the riding bike without training wheels. This too shall come... right????

And the vacation we've been looking forward to all summer was our trip to North Carolina. Both of Justin's sisters families, and one brothers family were all in Kitty Hawk in the Outer Banks of NC. Auntie Jody always
(we did this trip 2 years ago too) brings activities for the kids, which all of them, from 4 to 17 (except the teenage boys) seem to love to do them.

Our house had a pool and the sista's house was right on the beach. So we had the best of all worlds being able to hang out right on the beach or go swim in the pool. (AGAIN I forgot the battery charger, so pictures are limited.)

The boys had so much fun having 8 of their cousins there and playing in the sand... swimming in the pool... Crabbing, day and night... meals with 19 people... Wright Brothers Museum... building a giant sand crab... our house getting struck by lightening... Ice Cream Shops...

After the fun in NC, we spent an overnight in Charlotte with my long-time friends the Balbuena's. We visited, swam had a yummy dinner and I learned to make 'sa-SA-wan' which is a delicious Filipino sauce to put over rice. It's never enough time to visit, but was still great to see them.

We also made a stop in Pigeon Forge, TN for a few days. We went tubing down the Little River. Really wish I would have gotten pictures of that!! We were worried that the boys weren't going to do well sitting in a tube floating down a river for 2.5 hours, but they did great. There were some rapids that were a little scary at times, but we all enjoyed it a lot. We also went to a cheap and cheesy Magic Show. I think the name was different than "Cheap and Cheesy" but I think it gives you a better idea of the experience. All of us but Justin went up on the stage to help with different tricks. I think I stole the show, but was surprised they didn't ask me to join their team!?!

And I was actually ready to come home. I don't usually feel that way because I LOVE vacation, but it was good to be home. And on Monday the boys start school, and I start my new opening shift at the YMCA. I'll be starting at 4:30 a.m. so I'll be sure to call you all on my way to work!!! :~)