the three cutest kids ever!

When we got back from vacation, it was time to take a few pictures of the kids: Abigail birthday pictures, fourth of July pictures, late E birthday pictures, early D pictures, beginning of the school year pictures, whatever you want to call them... it was a group of pictures of cute kids!!!

an extended 7th birthday

Abigail's actual birthday is July 2nd and we were on vacation (more on that later) so aside from the celebration on her birthday, we had a couple of other evenings of celebration.  She opened a few gifts each time.  Quite a patient little girl.

July 8~

July 9~

opening a doll bed made by Gdaddy and bedding by Gram, a butterfly tshirt, and Creationary

and her first James Avery charm bracelet from us

July 10~

Opening Mystery of History cds from Gram and Gdaddy

and several other audio cds from Mommy and Daddy

Happy birthday again, Abigail!  This time we can sing it to you rather than you to yourself (an occurrence I hear regularly when you are playing with your ponies).  This year has been the most exciting yet.  Seeing God's transformation in your life is one of the best things ever!  Your passion and smile is contagious.  You are persistent and don't quit.  Your willingness to take risks keeps us on our toes but will be used for His glory.  You come up with the funniest things to say-- like while swinging an empty swing "Hold on tight, Jesus.  We're going to California!"  Love you, little Father's Joy!

since Christmas part 3/3: summer comes

We started really enjoying our summer once swim team was over, bu that doesn't imply that things slowed down any.  Not until mid July.

June~

We absolutely made the most of our summer this month.  

We went with Gram for a walk in the mall one day.  The sweet treats store was loads of fun!

E was back to her hairstyling.  

The kids all were busy reading for our several reading programs this summer.

M attempted to teach A how to ride her bike while E cheered her on, but the heat prevented my persistent little girl from persisting.  We'll try again in the fall.

We began swim lessons twice a week.  David loved interacting with his swim teaching, a sweet boy only a few years older than David.  

We went roller skating again with Gram and the Brown cousins.

We had a lovely visit with one of my dearest friends and her girls who were home from England for a few weeks.  Such a treat!

We spent some more time at the park.  (and saw lots of wildlife on the way there--ducks, turtles, nutria)

We didn't do VBS this year due to conflicting scheduling, but that didn't keep the kids from posing at all the fun photo spots in church on Sunday.  In fact, they stole my cell phone without my knowledge and snapped away.  

Funny story: a friend at church on Sunday was telling me about a kid who had told her all about how the paper vines were made.  "The paper was wound around toilet paper rolls to make the crinkle vines."  "Did you help make them?"  "No, I'm observant!"  I heard that and said, "That sounds like my son.  How old was the kid?  What was he wearing?"  Sure enough, I come to find out that it was indeed David.  I had to laugh!!! Such a David comment.

There were other times they stole my phone too and snapped some pictures that I would only discover later.  

...and then there were goofy selfies with mom

and jokes played on Daddy (Look!  He's got a tail! courtesy of Abigail)

My little jokester likewise draws the cutest cartoon pictures.  Especially love the self-portrait at the bottom.

This is the same girl who has Daddy wrapped around her finger.  

We had fun at the Quick Quack Wash free days...

We joined our friends the Gilberts and the Barrs in saying goodbye to our sweet friend, Nici.  Little did we know that we would get to see her again soon...

And then there were the pictures of the girls with and without Lucky...

And more candid pictures of the kids doing what they do most frequently: dancing around and being silly.  The faces say it all.

And a few others of the kids

And when did my son get so big?  His feet are larger than mine!

We had a fun family vacation in June (documented in another post)
And we finally hit...

July!

There were plenty of things still going on in July but we did have more moments of quiet.


We put Chickfila Cow Day on the calendar and we lived it large.  The kids and I went to CFA for a quick breakfast before errands.

Then we met Gram and Gdaddy for lunch at a different CFA.  

And finally we went with Daddy to a third CFA for dinner.

David had a great three days at Preteen Camp again this month.  He came home exhausted and thankful to be home again.  We missed him too.  

We read a lot.  And we did lots of puzzles.  And listened to a lot of audio books.  

The girls did hair and put on makeup. (E did her own--I especially like her glitter nose)

E made jewelry for herself and Abigail.  She even made matching heart bracelets for her best friend, Abigail.

Sweet E also instinctively knows when I'm having a bad day.  She knows just how to cheer people up.  The day we gave Lucky his new home, I cried.  I found this sign on my bedroom door.  Sweet E!

And here David cheers me just by being himself

A lost her front tooth this month.  Cutie...even cuter now with the second tooth gone.

The kids had a fantastic time at our Life Group party at the Wells.  Thanks, Doug and Kristi!  They got to swim, feed the horses, and groom them too.  We even got to see a doe and her fawns on the way out of the neighborhood.  My animal lover middle had the best day ever!

And with that, I am finally caught up (less three posts yet to be documented separately from June and July)...