swim party

These are pictures from August.  (I'm catching up)  Heather and Leigh came over with their girls on Saturday afternoon for a swim.  (we missed Ash)  It was a great time.  We had lunch together.  Then we simply sat around, talked, swam, and relaxed.  It was a perfect summer afternoon.  Here are a few pictures.

  

Laurel is swimming well this year.

 

Audrey in her 'house.'

Cheyenne loved to hang and swing on the handrail.

Got goggles on and using Cheyenne's beach boogie board.

Audrey was more interested in all the pool toys.

Ready - goggles and floaties.  It took Cheyenne a little while to learn that she could maneuver in the water alone.  But she did it.  Her toes barely touch the bottom in the shallow end, but the floaties keep her up.

Two pals.

Audrey wanted to sit on the table and eat.

Audrey "floatin"

 Girl don't like getting her hands dirty.

I love swim parties.

I love summer.

It's my favorite season.

I already miss it.

mid-summer's night swim

With the temperatures dropping lower at night now, the water is cooling off, but while we can still enjoy the warm water - we love to swim at night!  I love the way the lights twinkle on the water and it's not quite so hot.  Chris' favorite time to swim is at night.

A few Sunday nights ago we had friends over for hot dogs and a swim. 

 

Kolben and Klay both love the water ... and are fearless jumping straight into the water.

Jump!  Jump!  Jump!

Sweet Kenley didn't take a dip.  
She snuggled with her taggie blanket that my mom made.

Laurel enjoyed holding Kenley.  
It's been a while since her sister was this small.

Laurel and Aubrey took the recliner for a spin - round and round.

 

It's great to spend summer nights with friends.

crazy busy

a hectic, month-FULL

Chris' outpatient surgery

week-long church camp

follow-up doctor visits

jury duty

yard work and garden work

attempting to finish a re-model started long ago

my 30th birthday

swim time

extra hours at work - lots of catch-up

brother visits from New York

celebrating 4 other birthdays

search for a new car

campmeeting

along with many unplanned interruptions, of sorts

therefore, I haven't taken time for blogging

so, I'll start back-tracking and re-capping

it's my therapy

I enjoy blogging. It is a diary of sorts for myself.
However, I too enjoy reading other blogs.
I learn tips from other blogs, try recipes, and
find encouragement from other women facing similar issues.
David Phelps + junk food
Enough said. :)Okay, not really! Typically, I do not fall prey to the bad habit of eating when I'm stressed. However, the night I took this picture, I had not eaten since 3 PM and I was quite hungry at 11 PM. And although, David is my favorite soloist .... it's the music and songs that lift me up (he sings gospel music - the greatest message)

The pool, warm sunshine, quiet time.
A relaxing retreat. A backyard vacation.
It is wonderful.
And the Word of God.
His voice speaking to me.
My greatest source of encouragement.
I find comfort in His voice.
I draw strength from His promises.

princesses, pool, and popsicles

For many reasons,
and extreme "busy-ness" being one of those,

we didn't open our pool until August.

It was inexpensive
and we deemed it 'worth-it"
to enjoy during the last hot month of summer.
And these two pretty princesses have enjoyed the pool.This little one loves the water and has no fear.
She would stand in this float and attempt to jump in.After watching some jump off the diving board,
she would point to the diving board as if she wanted to do it.And Jello pudding popsicles are the BEST!
Here's the proof, see:I think she loves them as much as Aunt Livy does!And we thoroughly are enjoying the refreshing pool time.

poolside

One of the best places to be on hot, 100 degree days.

Happy Birthday, America

I feel so blessed to live in this great nation.
Often when I gaze at the American flag,
hear a patriotic song,
or say the Pledge of Allegiance,
I am moved to tears.
I do love America.
I'm so thankful for this land.
Happy Birthday, America!

summer is on the way!

I love grilling.

and can't wait to do more of it.so glad Chris enjoys it as well.
he likes trying new things.
(he mixed a concoction of seasonings for this shrimp)
he's definitely becoming quite The Grill Master

anticipating

i'm looking forward to

a little of this a little of that
and a lot of this ahhhh. summer.
my favorite season of all.
i am longing for the hot, long, fun days.