Since We've Been Home...

It's been fun to have some of the summer left once we got home. Here's what we've been up to...

 Slurpees with the neighbors are always fun.

 I'm back to enjoying my early morning runs (and sometimes coffee) with Shelley.

 Grill and Chill crew had another potluck at the Cowles house.

  We took a trip to the Chesapeake Bay with these beautiful friends and the kids.

 Sand plus sunshine equals happy Geneva.

 Ice cream with friends.

Sleeping by the pool.

Wish I could do this.

 putt putt

 I got ready for school to start- lots of curriculum to prep. 

 D.C. United game.

 We've gone to lots of birthday parties- maybe 5 since we've been home! 

Nothing like eating a donut with no hands!

 New hair cuts!

 Daddy tried his best to fix the dishwasher, but no luck, so we have a new one!

Geneva takes great care of her babies. Need a sitter?

 

Gymnastics poolside led by Maddie with baby Annemarie in the mix.

School pics to follow...

Last Days of Vaca

 Massive french toast!

 Enough pancakes for 3 little girls!

 And more carbs :) 

We had a really sweet tea together. Papa and Mimi brought back Paddington Bear and Peter Rabbit tea themed things from their recent trip to England.

 More pool time with my honeys. 

 Sweet girl.

As always, it was hard saying goodbye. We love you Papa and Mimi! 

Thank you for loving us like you do. We miss you.

 We had some tired girls on our layover!

 Mimi gave the girls lolly pops for the airplane- what a treat while watching a movie!

Water Play

Like most kids, mine LOVE being in the water- all day.

 We were so happy to have a play date with our dear friends, the Graumans. 

Abby and Maddie have been buddies since they were three.

 Lunch poolside is the best.

 Later that day we went to the beach. What a blast to dig in the sand, listen to the waves, and relax.

 I kinda got into playing with the kids!

 The beach always reminds me of God's vast love for us. His ways are unsearchable- just like the unknown places of the ocean. His forgiveness keeps coming without stop- just like the ocean waves. He is powerful- just like the ocean currents. He knows the number of grains of sand- just like He knows my own heart. What an amazing creator to make such a beautiful world, forgive us of our sin, and love us even though we're just a small little sinful creature! The beach puts me in my place!

 Funny people and I love them!

 Papa was a little shocked at the temperature of the water!

 Geneva loved everything about the beach.

None of us wanted to leave!

Photos in ABQ

Now I'm jumping back a bit. While we were in ABQ, Gale organized for us to get some family pictures taken of the 5 grandkids that were there. Here they are...

 

 

This is our cute nephew Rees. He and Geneva really liked finding bugs to stomp on during pictures :)

Back in Cali

I'm not sure if I had all the suitcases in the house before Maddie and Savannah were in the pool! These girls are fish.

 Swimming with Mimi.

 Geneva had no fear- she just jumped in without a float. Several time we had to scoop her back out!

Fun!

 Getting spoiled at Mimi's- movie and ice cream!!

 Geneva got into her Nutella and pancakes!

We were all excited to go to our old church- Grace Community. It was wonderful visiting with friends and hearing God's Word taught. I think Grace means so much to me because it's where I grew up- my parents instilled a love for the church and our lives were build around the people and life of the church. 

 Now she's a serious swimmer!

 Daddy's in town and we're having fun!