Summer Fun!

We are finally joining the world of blogging!! We are having a great summer, which started with a Memorial Day weekend at Pickwick Lake with all of my family. Mimi, Dodad, BecBec, Justin, Graham, Katie and Talmadge, along with us six, piled into a great cabin together for the weekend. It was a fun start to summer! Last weekend Talmadge's family was nice (and brave)enough to invite us to Lake Darden in Union County for another fun time together. Posted are pics of both family events.

A highlight of the summer so far was having pictures made at our home. What?? Did I really just write that pictures made of four kids was fun?! Actually, for the first time ever, it really was fun! Usually, everyone is crying, including me. And Marcus usually begins screaming (or at least talking VERY loud) and making empty threats. This time, there was no trauma! Stephanie Rhea came over and did all the work! She had them pose together for a few pictures, and after that she just let them play as she snapped away. They loved her, and Sarah Caroline really enjoyed being creative with some "modeling" poses. And I really did take them to McDonalds AND Baskin Robbins after it was all over. You can see these pics at www.stephanierhea.com/ukids/.

We also have had a great time with tball games! Ben and Luke were able to be on the same team, and Marcus helped coach. Marcus and I enjoyed it as much as they did! I have made a huge discovery about why God gave us mostly boys, and a girl who loves sports - we are much better at enjoying ball games than dance recitals!!!! Sarah Caroline did a fantastic job dancing in her recital this year (which was jazz/tumbling....she said ballet is too boring!), but about 10 minutes into the recital, Marcus started asking, "When is Sarah Caroline's turn?" Her turn, by the way, was one full ninety minutes into the program. Ben fell asleep while waiting for her to come onstage, and missed her part completely. In addition to the two hour long recital, she had been at practice about for four hours that day (AND had to be there one hour early, but who's counting?) Might I add that she is not taking dance next year, so we will instead have three soccer players in the fall! If you EVER hear me complain about soccer, just remind me of the dance recital weekend!

Here is a little about what Sam has been up to lately. He celebrated his first birthday in May, and he also is becoming quite a little helper. One of his favorite things to do is "help" me unload the dishwasher! And yes, he really does have a knife in his hand - typical fourth child being left in a dangerous situation - but it is a butter knife!