The Fighter's

621.  Pat & Lindsay.  It's finally here!  The big weekend in Cincinnati!!!  They are finally tying the knot...and we could not be happier for them.  I am so proud of my brother - and so thankful for Lindsay...she is awesome to say the very least.   Excited for a fun weekend with family and friends.  I believe wedding weekends with those we love are tiny glimpses of Heaven.  622.  Family.  We drove down Thursday to help kick off the festivities.  A fun dinner out with my parents, Pat, my other brother Rob and Carly...then time back at the hotel.  The girls were SO excited to be with everyone...and to stay at a hotel:-)  Here is the crew...  623. Grandpas who give multiple grand kids horsey rides.  624.  Luggage carts. 624.  Brave Grandparents!  Rehearsal day.  My parents took all five grandchildren to the train junction (a kid train museum) so Doug and I could partake i...

619.  The first day of school.  Ava is back to school today - First Grade.  What?  Really?  How is she off to first grade already?  We couldn't be more proud of our Bean...and although I'm slightly sad that she's getting so big so fast...we are so thankful for her sweet little heart and her eagerness for school.  Looking forward to the growth this year brings for her.  Here she is with her sis - and heading to the bus with her great friend from down the street - Marnie. 620.  The prospect of Fall.  Growing up I was always sad to see summer go - but always excited to start another new year.  I have such great memories of school shopping with my mom...new school clothes, a new book bag, new number 2 pencils, new glue!  This year I took a day and made it into a fun day of school shopping with the girls.  We shopped, ate lunch, shopped some more, had a snack...so. much. fun. 

618. Afternoon tea parties.  I made tea for myself and the girls wanted some too...so they had a little tea party...

617.  Hyper girls getting their sillies out!

I am so behind with blogging - trying to feverishly play catch up!  This summer has been fast and busy...but so wonderful to say the very least.  We have had fun (for the most part!).   I'm sort of sad the girls are going back to school in a few weeks - trying to soak up every bit of it that we can.  That being said...I need to keep up with my journaling!  So here I am.  And these will be numbered once I catch up to this day.  Lots of pictures coming from this summer....I am a slacker!  But outside has been calling... 611. My childhood home.  The girls and I spent the night at my parents last night - and I'm convinced that a night in the home I grew up in is one of the best things for my soul.  So many memories there - time with mom and dad.  I love sleeping in my childhood room...with my two year old snoring in the crib next to me. Just what I needed.  And my mom and I went shoe shopping and I got a new purse too (orange...w...

611.  Backyard gardens growing a bounty of tomatoes, peppers, basil and beans. 612.  Little tomato plants taken home from preschool that grow giant over summer.  Katelyn brought home a 6 inch plant and was so proud of how it grew (almost 3 feet tall) and the tomatoes it produced. 613.  Excited little girls who run out every day to see what else they can harvest.

605.  flowers and trees and plants and vegetables and fruit of all kinds, shapes, colors - each with their own unique make up.  Took a simple trip to 577 Gardens with dad and my girls and reminded of how amazing God's artistry is.  The plants and animals that breathe on this earth are simply and utterly amazing.  He is the ultimate artist. 606.  Grandpa's who come along for the ride. 607.  Fish food sprinkled bringing golden colored fish surface to the top - little girls who are fascinated. 608.  Outdoor musical instruments that entertain. 609.  Dinosaur digs.  Dresses and all! 610.  Old houses preserved so we can give children a glimpse of how things were way back when - and an appreciation for how far we've come.