Month: August 2011

I wanted the to send the summer off with a bang.  I said to Danny “throw caution to the wind”.  “Take us to a Hawaiian Island.”  Either he failed Geography or he needs help in the hearing department… oh wait…  I guess he has a valid excuse, really I think he was following his wallet.

Who knew landlocked, middle of America Ohio had islands.  Lucky for us we get to discover these things, what joy it has been to have a renewed sense of discovery and adventure.  The boat ride was probably the highlight of the day.  No one puked, so I was happy too.

I have decided that life on an island would be very laid back, and the houses are so stinking cute.  If I ever come into a sum of money, I’m going to buy a summer house on an island, and just let the kids swim, hike and be kids and I’m going to plant my butt in a hammock, retrieve and bathe the children at night.

When we first got there we thought we would just hike to the other side of the island where the sandy beaches were and have a swim.  It was a bit of a hike and we made it, but the thought of dragging them all back was a little overwhelming, so Dad saved the day.

While Dad was hooking us up with our ride the rest of us did what all people who live on an island should do.

We took off to tour the island, now I have to come home and buy a golf cart, it was such a great way to get around.  One more reason I should move to an island.

A few sites:

Grooves carved by a glacier, the girls wanted to fill it with water and use it as a water slide.

Cute little house.

And then back to reality, but it was fun while it lasted.  There are a few more islands to visit, you can bet we will.

School starts up this week, along with that comes a buzz of nervous excitement in the house. I look forward to setting some new goals and getting into a nice routine.

A few pictures to capture a few moments:

Grandma and Grandpa T spent a week with us this summer.  Grandpa and Danny took the kids fishing but I didn’t dare send a camera with 5 kids and Grandpa, I was afraid I was already asking too much.  We went to the state fair and got caught in a huge storm.  The kids love Grandpa, he’s so chill and loves to watch cartoons with them and buy them candy, I look the other way during the week because I know this time is so important.

Cute Tanner received his Webelo in July.  They had a swimming party so he was all wet.  I’m so proud of Tanner.  He also spent two weeks at pre-algebra camp this summer.

Danny picked weeds, Hallie helped.  This is just half of what she picked, little stinker.  We had quite a crop of tomatoes this week so we weren’t too upset, and who can get upset at that cute face, especially when she just thought she was helping.

Stellar storms blow through here weekly.  This one had so much lightening I was certain I could get a picture of it, but I didn’t.  We haven’t watered our lawn or our garden once this summer it’s been a treat.  I love the rain, and we love to sit on the front porch and watch the storms come.

Had to capture some of the girls summer paintings.  I might be tempted to complain about the messes they  make but they are staying busy and having such a good time.

Next week is our last full week before school begins, and I want to go out with a bang. Looking forward to another great school year.

August 18 we traveled  to our nations capital aka Aunt Eva’s house.  My kids love going to see their cousins, my sister Eva has kids closest in age to mine.  We are each others Yin and Yang, with her 3 sons and one daughter, my 4 daughters and 1 son they get lost in a world with one another and we pretty much have no interaction with them the entire time other than feeding them and making sure they shower occasionally.  Cousins are a wonderful gift.

My sister’s oldest son is named Evan, but for some reason (Alyssa) the girls can’t wait to get there to call him Kevin.  In return he calls Alyssa Melissa since she is obviously the reason for his misery.  Tanner takes off into a world of Pokemon then entire time and Laura goes off into a world of make believe with my girls that I sometimes wonder if they will ever emerge from.  At meal time I have to ask them to come out of character.

Hallie potty trained at my sisters house, I guess when you put 9 children in one townhouse, you get lots of “got to go potty” and she was the only one in diapers, well it ended on this trip.  Why fight it, if the kid is begging to go, might as well play along.  She has been in undies since we returned with most days a success.

We love living this close to so many opportunities to see new things. Unfortunately the week we went was record breaking heat.  Yes I let my kids get into the fountains that I’m sure are look don’t touch in Washington D.C., with a heat index of 113 degrees, no one could blame me.  The kids were awesome though, and we were able to see much of D.C., including an unofficial/unplanned tour of Georgetown during rush hour.  I swear if I hear the GPS tell me one more time to make a legal u turn… got to love the roads, they turn all lanes to one way with no way to cross center islands when you need to make left hand turns.

One of my favorite places was Mt. Vernon.  What a delightful little gem, we took a slavery tour that was an hour long, and the kids amazed and surprised me with their attention span.  Learning more about George Washington was great.  The kids of course loved the “necessary” (out house).

Next time we want to see Jamestown.

Grant was baptized and we were happy we could be a part of his day and proud of him.

MANASSAS BATTLE FIELDS: Eva’s house just about sits on the battle fields.  History eeks out of everywhere.

MT. VERNON:

HIKING IN VIRGINIA:

WASHINGTON D.C.: You can see the heat on their faces

 

BEATING THE HEAT-LAKE IN MARYLAND:

GRANT’S BAPTISM

 

Good memories made, isn’t that what vacation is all about.  Thank Eva and Rob for letting us hang with you, can’t wait until we get together again.