August Catch Up

The month of August will be done in two parts. It seems that I tend to take so many pictures when we go up to nana and papa's house and on top of that grandma and grandpa Waite were there this month. So that means double picture opportunities. But for now we will settle on some of the shots that were local.

Now Kamden, I am not sure what the law says about babies riding in your work van, but I am fairly certain that sitting on the seat while baby is sticking out, is not in the realm of acceptable. (31st) Is that 'new guys' baby or yours?

Summer learning... patterns and fine motor skills. I was surprised that Kamden could string fruit loops. Skylar has such a beautiful rainbow pattern going. She was very excited to be able to eat it, too. (16th)

Dustin watching heavy machinery work near a friends house on the lake. We were blessed to have a few days at the lake with these friends. All four of the ladies are super sweet. That is mom and her three girls. Dad is great and knows how to handle a house full of girls, fishing and marshmellows work just fine for them, too. I just thought this picture was so sweet of Dustin.(18th)

Our "almost" dog. This is Desmond, aka Dessie. He and his brother, Cosmo were looking for a home and we almost took him in. The catch was that his brother wanted to be in the same home. Or so his foster father thought that it was best for them to be together. As cute as these Chihuahua and dachshund mix were, we were not taking them both in. We were next on the list if they had no choice but to separate them. We did let him visit us and told the kids that we were just walking him for the neighbors and that they brothers would have to stay together. This little girl is such a dog lover and can not wait for the day she gets to call one her own. Just look at the smile on her face. I know, I know. I think Dessie loved her just as much as she loved him. (16th)

Dustin just wants a dog to be able to run and fetch sticks. Some day, guys.

Skylar was invited to a friend's fifth birthday on the 14th. What a surprise to these girls when they showed up and Cinderella was there. There were no videos taken but I did take my turn at singing Ariel's Part of Your World on the karaoke. Could not resist taking a picture of the get up this one had on when he came barreling out of his room with a chain necklace around his neck, his hat on backwards, and a flag in hand.(6th)

I think these two played for over an hour in the shaving cream on the table. It is great for practicing letters, it smells great and it's easy to clean.(6th)

Our local library does a great job creating summer activities to enjoy all summer long. Ice cream night is a family favorite. (4th)

Nice to capture those moments of them playing so nicely together. Though they argue like brother and sister are "supposed to" they do truly love eachother. (1st)

"We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love you have for one another is increasing."

2 Thessalonians 1:3

Opps Again, Summer Catch Up

Ok, so June was filled with Niagara Falls and Hampton Beach pictures. Now I can not just let the favorites from this summer just go undocumented. So a little summer fun in the middle of fall. Hey, I never said this was going to be done on time, did I?

That's my kind of taco, Skylar...

Summer fun with the cousins...

Sweet moments among brothers...

These are some of my favs from the month of July. We started attending a new church round about the beginning of May and are quickly seeing how much love is put into the children's activities. One of our first exposures to that was at VBS. The kids really enjoyed it. (End of June, sorry.) "Mommy, I bit my tongue. Do you see it?" Not just a funny face.

Easily this is one of my most memorable recollections of what we did this summer. Just hanging out poolside with a picnic lunch. It was really fun. The kids were so excited each day to get the lunch tray and fill it with snacky lunch foods. The real thrill was the $10 little end table that we bought. The splurge was a hit for the summer. Funny.

I taught a summer camp with a group of wonderful women a the end of the month. My area of focus was "Puppy Day". We were blessed to have nana come down for the day and bring a nice treat to the group and watch the boys until it was time for the pups. Thanks nana.

Beach Bums

Now I am not one to complain or miss those hot, sunny days especially during this time of year. I am a fall gal myself, cool days, fall leaves, beautiful colors. I could go on. But I know some of my readers could use a little sun, a little diggin' your feet in the sand, so here we go.

THE SOFTEST sand. What a memorable day with the family this was on Father's Day weekend, June 20th. Before heading to Niagara for our 10 year anniversary, we took the family to Hampton Beach in N.H. Oh, the fun and sweet looks on their faces as they looked at such an amazing sight. Though the drive was a little more than we thought, going home in traffic, potty stops in the van because of it, oh, the things a mother will do for her kids, we all had a great day.

I could not contain the smile on my face as I watched my husband and my youngest son racing for the ocean together. Adam is such a man of the beach and for him to be able to share that excitement with Kamden for the first time was so rewarding to watch. Happy Father's Day, daddy. I hope it was better than any gift that money can buy. Skylar just looked like she fit the part, collecting seashells and smooth rocks, dainty toes just dancing in the sand. I could have watched them all for hours. Dustin always gets that "deer in the headlights" look when he knows you are going to take his picture. But I got it anyway. The sunglasses were not just a fashion statement, they were a must have. The day was beautiful and sunny, cool wind when you were wet but mommy is usually prepared. Check out those smooth rocks in his hands. I think we went home with pounds of rocks in the back packs. The water line would come up so far during high tide that there were layers and stages of rocks when it was out.

These two beach boys could not have been happier.
I, on the other hand, am not much of a 'sand in the bathing suit' kind of person so I stay on my feet and close to the water. No one was sad about that, something for everyone.

I quickly learned what God gave the oceans that He did not give the ponds...waves, waves, waves. Now Mashamoquet may have water and sand but not these.

Everyone took time to splash in the cool ocean water, not much swimming in mid June but you have to atleast splash, right?

This is the picture of a 2 year old boy seeing the ocean for the first time. Isn't God amazing?

Check out my handsome guy as he checks out the breathtaking sight. How cool, mommy.
I think it is time to call it a day...

"Praise the Lord, from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do His bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds, kings of the earth and all nations, you princes and all rulers on earth, young men and maidens, old men and children. Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exhaulted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens."

Psalm 148:7-13

September 23

Thirteen years have passed

since the day that you have died

and only God the Father

knows the reason why.

~

I, alone, can only trust

in His unfailing love

to help me through this trying time.

So I call on Him above...

~

Lord, you know all there is to know.

I ask for you to show me now,

My heavenly Father's love.

To seek the approval and recognition of the Lord of Lords is the Father I aim to please.

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised." Hebrews 10:35,36

Wow, the verse of the day was right there Lord, thank you for your word. You know what we need. Thank you Father who is always there.

September 21

Happy Birthday, Dad. Still think of you.

Be Still Know You Are God

Hide me now

Under your wings

Cover me

within your mighty hand.

When the oceans rise and thunders roar

I will soar with you above the stormFather you are king over the flood

I will be still, know you are God.

Find rest my soul

In Christ alone

Know His power
In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar

I will soar with you above the storm

Father you are king over the flood

I will be still, know you are God.

When the oceans rise and thunders roar

I will soar with you above the storm

Father you are king over the flood

I will be still know you are God.

Find rest my soul

In Christ alone

Know His power

In quietness and trust.

I will be still, know you are God.

~Andrea