"Smile your NICE smile, Evelyn."

I took a picture just before this and her smile was kind of goofy, so I requested the "nice" smile. Not wanting to wreak havoc w/my daughter's self-esteem, I just said, "Awww, thank you!" to this one and let it go. It's kinda cute in its own way, isn't it??

My Little Superstars

Wow I love these two!
If you want to know what happened to Amelia's nose, just read here. :)

Beach party

Our church had a beach party/farewell party for Nana.We took her to the airport this morning and I was thinking that I have been with her everyday for 10 months!!!!This is going to be an adjustment :(

shoe shopping......Jody

Show shopping with my friend Julie...crazy!

Summer Solstice

A friend of mine started a tradition of driving to the beach to celebrate the longest day of the year. Even though schedules required us to be two days late on our ritual this year, we still reveled in 8 1/2 hours on the Atlantic shore Thursday. Four moms, 11 kids, and two single friends converged on Cape Henlopen State Park in DE. Sigh. Here's Amelia enjoying the "chair" she dug.

Tampon Tea.........Jody

I thought I would be so smart and make cold brew tea at my desk so that by afternoon I would have ice tea...but I looked at it mid way through the day and it looked so much like a tampon...just couldn't do it. must decorate the end of that string next time!

Favorite Breakfast Spot

Our front porch, where the girls and I have been starting each day since the warm weather set in. It's usually cooler out there than in the house, and is such a peaceful start to the day (in spite of how often I have to remind them to keep their voices down so our morning ritual doesn't irritate our neighbors!)

We'll pray that you find a cheap car, Becky! So glad Destiny is ok.

Teenage drivers:beware

Destiny totaled my car the other night.She is fine but my car isn't and we only have liability ins. on it.Please pray that I can find a decent cheap car......

Nostalgia

We pulled out the old camcorder today and watched some ancient videos of our girls from years gone by. Alan was able to upload the still pics from the memory card to our computer, and here's a one-year old Evelyn unrolling toilet paper.

As I type I am heartbroken and praying for Jody's friend and her son & those two little ones. What a shocking, earth-shaking tragedy. They will be in our prayers.

Please Pray........Jody

I am posting this picture of my friend Debbie and asking you to pray...her daughter in law Holli died in a car accident yesterday leaving behind her husband (Debbie's son Aaron) and a 4 mos old son and 2 year old daughter. Debbie is a new friend...just over a year...but I already consider her a close friend.  Since December her mother in law and father have also died.  I'm completely heart broken for this family. Please pray.

Seattle Mariners

We took Nana to watch Ichiro play baseball.Nana loves baseball and Ichiro is very famous in Japan.We had a great time.It was just us girls.

It's the countdown

Just 11 more days :( this will be a hard adjustment......

Our Kindergarten Graduate

Evelyn's school hosted a Kindergarten Luau today for graduation. It was SO sweet! This is her with her very young but extremely capable and impressive teacher. It's our secret hope that Amelia will get her next year. :)

5 guys.........and Amelia.........Jody

date with Amelia at 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. Yum!!!

Nana's Graduation

Amelia's outing! ............. Jody

Amelia went geocaching with a friend today...this is what they saw! How do people parent who don't trust in the Lord!? 

Justus's 21st birthday

We took Justus to a cute Italian restaurant to celebrate.

found on my camera........Jody

So I go to download some photos and found this on my camera...I guess Avery is rehearsing for his heavy metal band days to come!

Softball!.............Jody

Amelia's 1st year playing fastpitch softball...she has a double header every Monday night...she usually goes to bed at 8:30 or 9pm...her game ended at 10pm.  She got in the car and was so HUNGRY! so we stopped for a happy meal...she didn't eat it...just fell asleep....it's going to be a touch summer!

Nana's Birthday

Here are the cupcakes my sister Kris made for Nana's party :)

Delayed Mother's Day

Today my sister-in-law, Courtney, my mom and I walked a 2 mile loop at a park and then ate lunch outside at a cute little bistro in my neighborhood. It was our Mother's Day event--we wanted to do something different that was relaxed and away from the pressure of "the day." It was so nice! Courtney is a really good question-asker, and had some wonderful questions that drew some great thoughts and stories out of my Mom. So good!

birthday girl!

Amelia (far left) adn her cousins at Build A Bear...it wa such a fun time....

finally a sunny day

I took this picture while on a walk the other day.

My Litte Fregans

It's Mulberry season in our neighborhood--here are the girls stopping on one of our "scooter walks" to pilfer berries off a neighbor's bush. We usually try to collect enough to make at least one pie per season. So far the girls have eaten every single berry they've picked. Guess if I want a pie, I'm going to have to collect those berries myself!

On a related note, Alan and I just watched a documentary about the link between cancer & pesticides in modern farming--scary! You all are likely further along in your organic journeys than we East-Coasters, but it made me want to be SO much more conscious of what my children are putting in their bodies!

Graffiti Leg...........Jody

The last day of 7th grade for Avery....he had his friends sign his leg!

More Funny Faces

The girls and I went to see one of their friends in a play--"Twinderella," the untold story of Cinderella and her twin brother...Bob. It was very funny.

Evergreen aviation and space museums

Now that Destiny got a job at Evergreen we can get into the museums for free.It usually costs $20 per person :)