Sam is 6!

For Sam's birthday this summer, we did a Home Depot Man Party for him with 2 of his friends.  It was a wonderful day for him and just perfect for his age.  It was great because Nate took care of the party and most of the logistics. 

Sam started off by getting a new tool bench. 

Next, we went to the Home Depot for a kids workshop.  Our local Home Depot went WAY OUT OF THEIR WAY to make the event special for Sam even though there were probably 50 kids there.  They gave him a special table with a birthday tablecloth, sang happy birthday to him with all the children, had balloons for him and my favorite:  a Home Depot Birthday gift!  It was a tool belt full of anything a little boy would want at Home Depot (light up sticks, his own gloves, a measuring tape, duct tape, etc).  I am going to write them a thank you note for the effort they made for us.

I was loving this party!

Seriously, what little boy doesn't ADORE going to Home Depot.  They stared at this saw in action for 10 minutes!

Next up was fireworks and playing with fire and the grill. Nate let them throw their old paper wrappers in the grill to catch on fire.  THEY. LOVED. IT!!!

Next on the agenda was watching Nate cut down a tree.  But first, they wanted to climb on it.



Sam did not want a birthday cake, he wanted to make Smores. 

Lastly, before each boy left, they got their own toolbox full of Sam's favorite things including Man Sauce and Beef Jerky. 

Happy Birthday Sam!

It's Jerilyn Time!

This summer we hosted a Cedarville nursing student in our home while she interned downtown DC.  She babysit for us once a week so we could go out.  We went to some great places, Nate and I have wonderful memories of our adventures this summer.  Jerilyn's parents work overseas so we were her home for the summer.  She fit right in with our bunch!

 

 

 I think these were boiled peanuts.  I have never tasted anything like it.  I'm always up for a culinary adventure, they were delish.  We got a kick out of all the new food in the fridge that she brought into our house. 

 One weekend, Jerilyn's best friend from Ohio visited.  She fit right in also! 

 Out for pizza with our family.  We loved having an extra hand.

 Sam and Jerilyn were birthday twins! 

They shared a homemade pineapple upside cake (it looks like it was on fire but it wasn't.)

We loved spoiling them with gifts.

 The last night that she babysat for us was CRAZY.  A paint can spilled before she can, neighbor kids were everywhere, a dish shattered and the baby was screaming  - she conquered it with a smile.  We miss Jerilyn around here but know that she is settled in nicely at school now.

Summer Market

This summer we went to the Amish Market a few times.  I never am able to take photos between trying to get the produce at a decent price and Clara keeping me busy.  I let the kids take my camera and take some photos.  They did a great job capturing the atmosphere and my memory of the mornings.  Look at the people in the background of all the photos - 100% Amish!

 

 

 This is about what I would come home with each week and I would say that my pantry is full of canned goods HOWEVER Nate AND I are pretty sick of canning after this summer.  It is hot, time consuming and labor intensive.  But I know I will be happy in the winter to open the jars.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell



 

 



This was a double whammy.

Poop and Paint.

August Snapshots

We hosted our Sunday School cookout.  We had over 40 kids in our backyard.  It was a great turnout and was much easier than anticipated.

Who needs toys when you have the pantry?

Playing dress up... notice the headband over the hat.

We have some pretty fearless deer in our neighborhood that we enjoy harassing.

July Memories

July was a great month.  We did some traveling and we enjoyed the mild summer days at home playing and just hung around the house. 

 

Here Clara and Sam are playing.  Clara doesn't seem to mind that Sam's new hat is shining in her face.  I enjoy seeing the relationships between each of my kids.  Sam has just begun picking Clara up for the first time.

 

The trampoline continues to provide a LOT of fun for our kids and all the neighbors.  Before we know it, Clara will be on it.

 

Clara spends a lot of time in the sunroom because it is safe and carpeted.  We are teaching her where her eyes and nose and hair is!  "Clara, where is your hair?"

I had a wonderful birthday with my nieces and nephews, my mom and kids.  My kiddos live for birthdays no MATTER whose birthday it is!

My dad continues to operate his charitable vending business.  Here he is at church servicing a broken machine after Sunday School.  The kids in the church get a kick out of seeing him open the machine.  Sometimes they get a PopTart.  One of my friends told me that every week they tell their son to make sure they set aside money to give to church.  She found out he had been putting in the church vending machine because after all, it still goes to the church!  We laughed at that one.

 

Ellen had her summer dental checkup in her pink boots.  She is my favorite 3 year old.

 

A typical summer afternoon... the water table has been a big hit this summer.

 

The older four attended Vacation Bible School in the afternoon at a new (to us) church.  

Sam spent some time with his buddy Carter and I had to take them out to Freddy's for a little treat.  

Our college friends Andy and Erin invited us over to their pool for our annual summer get-together.  The line up is Ellen, Noah, Sam, Luke, Rita, Clara and Grace.  We had a Taco Party Poolside - super fun.

The wagon has proved to be another toy that I don't know what we would do without! 
The kids use it ALL.THE.TIME!

Visiting Friends in Philadelphia

Late in July, we visited our friends Jen and David that recently got married. 

The kids all got to sleep together in one room for a big slumber party.

 

We had lunch out on their patio and relaxed by the pool.

 

David and Clara watched some golf together.

 

My college friend Kelly came to visit for the weekend also.  Grace loves Kelly.  She said her teacher this year reminds her of Kelly, "kind and sweet!"

 

This is the only photo I have of Jen!  She kept the kids busy with lots of pool fun, lawn games, and wonderful food.  Thank you for the visit Jen and David!