Salem

 We were off to Salem this weekend! What better way to spend a free four hours than a sprinkler!

Pure joy!

Classic attempt at a family photo. 

We had a small celebration of my dad's life. We had our immediate family and a few friends over to honor him!

His name is on the plaque behind us in a memorial garden. It was a lovely garden and a great way to remember his legacy! Love ya mean it!

What is with her faces lately!!!

 Finally....a decent pic of all five grandkids! Carter said...William is so heavy! So true buddy!

Then we had a little party at my parent's house afterwards. I forgot how delightful their backyard is!

A Chapter Closes....

Today marked our final day for John and Virginia at Grandma and Ginger's house. It was a sad day for me. So grown up they are! 

We made this for them to hang on their wall of fame. This was a picture of their first day of daycare in January 2010 and then one today! So huge!

Virginia on the last walk in!!!

And a classic one for me of John helping me carry in all of our stuff for William!

Virginia's face sums it up...sadness! We adored being here for this long. Luckily, we as a family were not saying good-bye....since William will be there in the fall. John and Virginia are headed to preschool....we celebrated with a trip to the Dollar Store for two treats. Yes two! Both chose an American flag...and Virginia got a football and John got a paddle ball game!

Final breakfast!

Last picture with their friends there. From the left: Thomas, Katy, Brayden, Colly, John, Luke, Virginia, and Logan. Lilly and William made it in the back. Sad to think they were once the youngest and now are the oldest! But what a great place it has been for them!

Happy Father's Day

 Nothing says Father's Day love like going on a girl's trip and leaving Joe at home! School ended for me and I had a free weekend! Thanks Daddy! At least he got to spend some good fun time with his parents. P.S. I have no idea what this scrunched up face is. But I am ready to move on!

 And Granddaddy got to love on baby William!

Our annual Father's Day artwork for Joe's office. This is Virginia's masterpiece!

William did his best!

And this is an unfortunate creation of Daddy. Shame.

Play time in the yard!

And eating dinner! 

On this day, we thought of my Dad a lot. This was my facebook tribute. He would have loved it. At least we know where Virginia and William get their blond hair from! And no, I am not talking about the perm.

Such a big boy!

With our baby pool closed for a bit (ugh!)....Joe was off to the park with the kids! William is just so huge right now!  And getting his 7th and 8th tooth requires a bib at all times....so much drool!

He might need a haircut soon. I hope he is not taking on the tradition of John with 40+ haircuts before age 4!  

The pool + one

So I can't lie. When I first found out I was pregnant with William...one of my very first thoughts as I was looking down and seeing a positive pregnancy test...was NOT oh how much daycare will be, it was NOT the concern of 3 kids with my husband in a new job and getting a doctorate, it was NOT the laundry (which is now my weekend downfall), or in fact the scariness of having a baby and hoping to not go on bed rest while having two 2/3 year olds at home. It was.....ugh....I am starting over at the pool. Last year was a delight....no work, just reading, relaxation, and rest. This year, well...not quite the same. We went last weekend and it was horrible. Joe said "Are you sure you can take all three kids?" Well, with a summer upon us, there was no choice. I needed to go and try it. And it was bad. Mostly because I was bitter at the weather last weekend and so over the fact that we talked up the pool and it was freezing. But then it became a mission to learn from my first mistakes and move forward....memorizing each of the ideas that    I had to make it easier. And I can report successfully, that this weekend with two 4 hour days at the pool....I made it. 

Last weekend recap....

I have to go to the potty. 

Can we go to the big pool?

I am cold. 

He/She is taking my toy.

Can we go to the big pool?

Those other kids are taking my toys.

I am hungry. 

Baby crying.

Can we go to the big pool?

I am hungry.

Are we eating lunch?

Can we go to the big pool?

Can I have a treat? 

Baby not wanting to go to sleep.

Can we go to the big pool?

I am hungry. 

I am cold.

Can we go to the big pool?

WHERE ARE MY TOYS?

Where is my snack?

I am cold. 

Can we go to the big pool?

Ugh...............ok....I got it! Let's go home!

But this weekend, different story. I was prepared. I learned I needed a waterproof blanket. And more swim diapers. And 1,000 snacks. And kid toys for William. I learned William wanted to be in the pool. And ritz crackers for all. And special friends at the pool that could keep William when he was sleeping so I could take the kids to the big pool. Success by all.  My outlook on the summer drastically changed from one weekend to the next. 

This is a view of all of the things it required for success at the pool. Thank goodness I have a minivan. The back is 100% dedicated to pool supplies. And yes, everything in this picture belongs to us.

 Snacks. They make the world continue functioning. 

And all asleep by 7:00 tonight. Thank you pool!