up, up and away

Avery's favorite thing to do on a playground, hands down, is swinging on a swing.  Right now we're working on teaching her how to swing by herself.  Maybe some of that teaching rubbed off.  The weather has cooled down so much the last week or two and we are so grateful to be able to play at parks again!

While park hopping we discovered how much Zara loves to swing too.  It started with a little push from Avery and now she can swing for 30 minutes fully content.

It sure beats throwing sand in her hair!

August Snapshots

Three weeks late but here are my August photos.  Summer and swimming seem like a long time ago and we are looking forward to the holidays.  I'm feeling out of element here but I hope to be back soon!

school and a couple videos

^ ^ Grandpa returned from a camping trip! ^ ^

Thought I'd stop in and keep things current on this little blog.  Time has really been zipping by for us lately.  Just the usual: Elliot in school, Avery pre-school, Zara showing us more every day how funny and active she is. Teddy is doing much better!  Home and healthy.  Many prayers have been answered.  I made a little video from a visit in the hospital.  His cheeks have grown since then.  Same with Maggie.  Love being so close to my family.

auntie marilyn

 On Monday I got a new nephew and niece.  Chris and Kristy gave birth to their third child, Theodore, and Nora and Garrett gave birth to their first child, Maggie.  It was a day filled with wonder and miracles.

^ ^ 1// my parent's at the hospital 2//a note my dad wrote to my mom 3// my dad holding Maggie ^ ^

Since Monday I have taken about 200+ pictures of Maggie, but Theodore is in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and he and his family needs our prayers.  Our hope and prayers is that doctors will find out what is causing is sicknesses and heal him so he can come home.

We're also praying for no long-term health problems.  This has been a long week for the Stapleys and as tests are being taken and they live day-to-day we can only hope for some normality sooner than later.  All of this makes me even more grateful for my family's good health.

Martin wedding | part 2

Julie and Jame's wedding reception was at the Wright house and it was perfect.  My kids ran around and got to know the place very well while I played the role of Matron of Honor and Andrew enjoyed the orange frappe.  Well, he would have if I didn't keep eating all of his.

^ ^ Prettiest color scheme. ^ ^

 ^ ^ She was hot, ok! ;) ^ ^

 ^ ^  Lookin' good, Honey! ^ ^

 

I hope all of Julie's and Jame's dreams came true because they deserve it.

Martin wedding Part 1
professional pics and video here.

July snapshots

July!  What a fun, not to mention hot, month!!  In July my best friend got married, we painted our house (finally, yay!), we pool hopped and went to the lake, and Elliot turned 6.  What a big boy!  We are just about ready for school to start.  Less than a week.  As much as I'm looking forward to the new school year I'm really going to miss Elliot.  This will be his first day being at school all day and I can't help thinking how much growth and change will happen.  But it's time and I need to let him go.  A little at a time.

 

Martin wedding | part 1

Almost two weeks ago my best friend, Julie Dangerfield, got married to James Martin.  I have to mention this irony but my sister, Julie, also married a James and their last name is Manning.  So I have two Julie and James M's is my life that are very important to me.

Julie was absolutely glowing and beautiful and stunning and even those words don't do her justice.  I can only imagine how James felt.  Lucky guy!  It was wonderful being a part of their sealing and wedding day and I enjoyed snapping some pictures and being the Matron of Honor (yes!).  Such a mature title, and a true honor.

Julie, you have wonderful years ahead of you!  I'm so glad you found your other half!!