Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker!

There is so much joy in childhood

Laughing it up at the antics of big brother

Moments I will hold in my heart forever - I hope they will always be this happy.

Summer two in the fort

Silly smile

Big girl on the slide!

Last summer we built this fort and it has seen playtime, been a fortress, a picnic site, a toy box and a site for 20 kids to climb during the pig roast.  This is one of those place where I want to get a picture each year and enjoy all the little changes that happen with my babies.

Happy Birthday Grandma!!

So the grandkids L.O.V.E. calling G-ma on the phone, love it!!  Jade appears with phone in hand chattering away and telling g-ma all about her day.  Sometimes there are small and fierce battles for the first turn. 

So today when I saw Jade tip-toeing about with the phone pressed to her ear and I could hear "Grandma..." I just assumed that she wanted to call her, but as I got closer I realized that she was quoting lines from Charlie Brown.  "Hey Grandma, this is Chuck ... uh I mean Charlie Brown."  PAUSE "I have a little problem, we are going to be late to Thanksgiving dinner ... you see I invited some friends over and they are still here."  (OK the second sentence wasn't quite that perfect, but she amazes me!!)  She can quote whole pages out of books that she loves and copies voice inflections and mannerisms.  Cracks me up!!

Hope you enjoy this story for your birthday Grandma!!  We love you and can't wait to make you dinner for your birthday :)  Jade and Slater

Who needs a 6' clawfooted tub?

When we (my brother and I) were little our house had no running water, so bathing in the sink was one of the few ways to get a bath.  Our grown-up house has a claw-footed bath tub and a shower, but the sink is still the most popular bathing site!  When Jade sees me doing the dishes she comes running - "Ooooo Mommy, you are running me a bath?"  Even Slater (who has to fold himself into a pretzel) loves his "tub" time.

Slater's photography

Taken while spinning circles on the front lawn

The mid-morning light pouring through our home

How the world looks lying flat on the lawn enjoying the sunshine

A beautiful (and warm) August day at the Botanical Gardens

Favorite Froggie

All the pretty ladies sunbathing and playing in the stream

Dad and Jade take a ride on the frog

Tough feet playing in the pond.  Slater has always been a water lover and the Botanical Gardens offer a variety of places to play in the water including a sluice box, faucets, waterfall, pond, streams and fish pond.

Wipeout on the track!

Winnie the Pooh makes everything better

Knees meet track at the football game