Fall fun

This morning I am thankful for the clear blue sky, the warm sunshine, the birds singing in the backyard, the coffee in my cup, and the two little boys in our home. 

This month has been full of good fun for all of us.  There are pumpkins and mums on our porch, signaling that fall is here.  Mark had his first field trip last week.  We celebrated birthdays this weekend with a few friends. 

I'm about to launch into the day's work, but wanted to post a few photos for remembering. 

The pumpkin patch field trip was fun.  Mark's enthusiasm was contagious, and I could hardly keep up with him that day.

We celebrated birthdays with a cookout at our favorite park.  After the birthday party, the boys hopped on their posts - this is a tradition at this particular park. They like to do it every time.

The kids played in the woods in between hot dogs and cupcakes.

Thankful for two growing boys, the blessing of good friendships, and a beautiful day to celebrate God's goodness together.

How did it get to be October already?!

Something about this stage of life has me scratching my head and asking where the time is going so quickly.  I know it sounds very cliche, but it is reality for me.

We do love the beach...good to be near the water and the sand and the sun.  This was taken right before we had to go home.

The boys in the big chair - one day, they won't look quite so little sitting there.

The view from our hotel...wasn't it beautiful?

He still loves to dig in the sand...may it always be so.

And so does his brother.

Love my beach boys...already looking forward to going there next summer!  I love how time stands still at the beach, at least for a few moments.

The Return Trip

On the way home from Louisiana, we made a stop in Huntsville, AL to visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.  Here is the photo evidence that we loved it.

Louisiana, Part 2

While the boys were visiting with grandparents, Greg and I took a trip down memory lane to New Orleans.  The beignets and coffee with chicory hadn't changed a bit.

The St. Louis Cathedral was still gloriously beautiful against the backdrop of a bright blue sky.

We revisited a very romantic restaurant where we had eaten one Valentine's Day when we were dating. On the way out of town, we visited the seminary where I was a student.  It was beautiful and much the way I remembered it.

After more than ten years of being away from this city where I had such a life-changing experience, it felt like coming home again.  Although I see the city through different eyes now, I will always appreciate it for the way it transformed my view of service to others in the name of Christ.

Louisiana Trip, Part 1

 This summer, we traveled south to visit Gram and Gramp.  We always stop at the Mississippi River to take a picture before crossing into Louisiana.

Gramp had a terrific garden, and he had the boys help him each morning.

The tree swing was a lot of fun.

Rinsing off fresh banana peppers in the backyard was one of their favorite parts of being garden helpers.

It was a really special visit, and we're so glad we were able to take the trip.

First Camp-Out of the Season

We packed up our camping gear and headed for the mountains last weekend.  I am so glad we did.  It felt good to slow down together.  

Highlights of the camp-out, in my mind, were:
1) The boys getting to paddle by themselves for the first time
2) Greg's burgers on the charcoal grill
3) Campfire and s'mores
4) Snuggling down in the tent that we've almost outgrown
5) Morning campfire and eggs, sausage and pop-tarts
6) Paddling in the morning
7) Hanging out on the rocks in the morning sunshine

It was a great trip - one to remember.

Mark getting a feel for the kayak while it was still in the garage
 

Our fearless leader
 

Keepers of the fire
 

On the water
 

Waiting on the rocks with Mark
 

Nathan paddling up to say hello
 

Mark rinsing his feet off post-paddle
 

Visiting Ridgecrest after the camp-out
 

Wading in the Montreat creek
 

 

Baseball Ready

This spring found us full-swing in t-ball and baseball mode.  Weeknight practices were new for me. It was a little tricky at first, but we settled into a nice ritual of the library and picnic suppers before practice that made it fun for all of us.  

I think the boys enjoyed the experience.   Almost every day, they come downstairs with their gloves on and want to practice catching. Outside, we keep saying, so out they go.  There is a makeshift baseball diamond in our backyard now, and we have made two trips to retrieve balls from neighbors' yards.

Baseball is a good game.  And we have a lot of good pictures.  Here are a few to share.