Lily's 7th Birthday

We drove home from NY again during the late night/early morning.

It freed us up to have an extra day with Mike.  And we went kayaking as a family.

It also allowed us to visit with Mike's sweet granddad who passed away in mid-July.

He was a loving, sweet man & I feel so blessed to have known him for 14 years!

On Lily's actual birthday, Mike's sister was in town so we decided to take my two big kids and her kids to Busch Gardens.  It was a lot of fun & it made Lily's actual bday feel FUN!  It was also really HOT, but I love me some summertime.

On the Saturday after Lily's birthday, we'd planned a party and invited maybe 8 girls to come.  My dear Lily Bug has a birthday one of the best times of the year (one of my faves- July 4th week) so turns out, others love this week too and its a great week for everyone to vacation.  Which doesn't bode well for our birthday girl.  Her party was going to be 4 friends. One of them had to back out on the morning of :( so it was our next door neighbors and one friend from school- plus Peter. :)

Lily was such a good sport about it.  We may need to do a half birthday party for our girl to add some cheer to humdrum January. 

So this year, for the big kids birthdays, we let them plan them out how they wanted them (a party at home) & then we went shopping together (for minimal things- we are not big bday spenders).  They essentially were group play dates of their favorite things.  I wish I had taken a pic of Lily's list:  It included things like craft, sprinkler, dance party, cupcakes, ice cream & sprinkles.  And party planning is Lily's dream job so its a win-win.

Lily and I went out together one evening to look for her craft.  We landed on perler beads: teeny colored beads that you put together into a design or shape, and then you iron them to melt them into a little plastic trinket.  They have been a fun summer activity to have.  We were still learning at the party so I am not sure that anyone's attempt was too successful.  The process was fun though and sitting together to talk and work was sweet.

  I stayed up late the night before straightening up and getting everything laid out (kinda like I am doing now to get anything documented).  Does anyone else do this?  Sometimes (often!), its the only way I can get things done.

 As girly as possible!

Confetti Balloons- we had these all over the house so we were sweeping confetti all summer :)

 Since there was a little of a confetti/sprinkles theme, we found and had to get this confetti blaster for Lily.  It was so neat!  It may need to be an annual thing! :)

Happy Birthday to our sweet Lily Bug!  You fill our life with joy & sweetness & little acts of service. 

4th Annual NY trip

After our week at the river, we had a week at home- with VBS in the evenings.

Its become tradition for Mike to play drums.  This year I joined him as a "guide" for Lily's class, while Ben went to nursery.  It was truly one of my favorite weeks of the summer.  I have dropped back on activities, by choice, since Ben was born & felt like it was time to step it up again (hopefully something that continues into fall).  Lily's little class and group of friends were just so dear.  It was such a blessing to spend the week with them and worship together with everyone nightly.  VBS has become one of my favorite weeks of the year.  

We left after Mike's work the next eve for our annual NY trip.  I've discovered that I prefer the drive in the evenings/nights.  Thankfully, my chauffeur obliges me.  With a flight delay for one family, these four tried to keep the mischief to a minimal.

The weather was perfect mix of warm and cool.

Walks along the aquaduct are a highlight each year.

 Time in the pool is another highlight!
Peter & Bennett

 Charlotte

 The trip always falls near Lily's birthday and we are happy to celebrate her!

 Girls Table!

 Beautiful, Boys!

 A big number 7 on that cake- its getting real!  These kids are growing up!

 A snorkel set from Uncle Matt and Aunt Carrie :)

 We went to Church with M& C on Sunday morning, took family pics and then went out for a sail on a Tall Ship.  We left from Battery Park & sailed around the Statue of Liberty.

We had a lot to celebrate!  The sailing occasion was Pop's birthday!  That night we celebrated Goo & Pop's 45th wedding anniversary with dinner poolside.  Uncle Matt is a fantastic cook!  On the kids' menu were "squids"- hotdogs w noodles. :)

 After dinner, we celebrated Tom's birthday, actually ON his birthday! :)

 An evening swim

 Another day in the pool- even Goo got in on the game! :)  

We wouldn't be able to finish out our time without fireworks in the front year! 

Each year Matt & Carrie do an incredible job of hosting us, all while having worked, prepared, then parenting, taking us on fun activities, cooking, and a "host" of other things!  I truly feel like I've had a vacation when I leave and reality comes hard afterwards.
We were quite spoiled by all of the vacationing and dual parenting to start the summer!