Rainy Day Fun & After Dinner Yum

The other day a rather large package came in the mail for Ella's birthday.  When she opened it, she was so excited to find her very own large playhouse that she could color!  Well, we saved it for a rainy day, and what a fun rainy day it was! Thanks Aunt Christina, Uncle ZooBeart, Josh, Mac & Brenna for a creative & imaginative rainy day! Even the brothers had fun coloring too!

Once the rain let up we decided to head to one of the best ice cream joints in town! They even make their own yummy waffle cones! The view is breath-taking for sure, but the waffle cone & homemade ice cream makes for grateFULL happy bellies! 

Gavin get a whiff of the waffle cones baking in the kitchen.

Looks like Gray ate too much here?

When we got home, this is what we got to see! Nothing beats God's artwork!  Love the sunset here!

Big Boy Bed for Gavin!

Last week, on August 14, we put our sweet 21 month old Gavin into a big boy bed! We went to IKEA in NJ and bought him his very own twin bed.  Mother & Father are presently doing well, thanks for your concern.  Seriously, he's doing a great job!  Every morning around 6:30sih in da morn, we hear a door slam, (the boy loves to close his door after he opens it), big little feet scurry across the hall, and then seconds later . . . a sweet little smile appears next to my sleepy, half dead face with the heart-warming phrase, "Hiiyyy  MaMA!"

Ella Turns FIVE! And Jeff turns Old!

 Well, it's official; we now have a Kindergartener in the house! I can't even believe Ella is 5 already!  For her birthday she wanted to have a Mermaid & Pirate pool party.  It was so much fun! The kids


(and the folks ) enjoyed swimming in the pool & mingling together.  The kids also had a treasure hunt, a "Pin the Treasure on the Map" game, and a fun pinata-bashing experience. All of the little boys & girls had a wonderful time!  Thanks everyone for the fun gifts! Ella got a camera (a real digital one!), some Tinkerbell fairy dolls, a princess lunchbox, Polly Pocket Mermaid, LiteBright, AquaDoodle, clothes, a colorable playhouse (thanks aunt Christina!), legos, and a new desk & chair set!  Thanks to everyone, including Grandma & Papa, for coming to the party and for making our time of celebration such a memorable one!  We love you guys!

On the way to find the treasure

"Arrrr.... Me Mateys", said the pirate princess

Family Mini Reunion

Oma teaching Ella piano lessons and how to play, "Twinkle, Little Star"

In late July we had the pleasure of Oma & Opa, as well as Grandma Jane & Grandpa Forbes staying with us for a few days.  It was so wonderful to see the Forbeses again, and spend some time good quality time with all of the grand folks alike.  We were so grateful to be enjoying the pool, especially in the very hot and muggy temps that reached around 103º! Now that's hot! Our pool temp was actually 90º! As hot as that sounds, it was very refreshing next to the hot sticky air temps.  Even the Forbeses joined in on the fun!

It was also a great time for learning new things; Oma & Grandma Jane taught the kids how to play Dominos, drink coffee & smoke cigarettes.  Wait, what? Kidding. Just checking to see if you actually are reading this thing! But besides fun and games and illegal sinful activities, Oma taught Ella & Gray a piano lesson and how to play a song on the piano!  

Grandma Jane playing Dominos with Grayson

Ella being launched in the air by Daddy!

G & G Forbes chilaxin' by the waste side . .. I mean, poolside.

We also had a great time eating amazing food at Woody's All Natural Foods in Cornwall
(D-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!) and touring the waterfront.  Grandpa Forbes eventually got out of control (after eating his Woody's all organic cheeseburger) and stole some dude's Harley. Epic.

Bad to the bone

Back Track to Fourth of July

 Forgot to mention the 4th of July, baby!   This year marked our very first Fourth of July . . . with kids! It was the very first firework display for all 3 kiddos! We spent the day swimming, playing, laughing & dancing (well, the girls did anyway) with our good buds, the Catanias, followed by dinner & wonderful fireworks in Cornwall.  Ella & her best bud, Catharine, were inseparable while the brothers & Mikey hung back and pretended to be wounded every time the fireworks exploded with an array of colorful ka-booms! Our day was so memorable and exciting.  We thought for sure that at least one of the kids, namely Gavin, would be a little afraid of the loud thunderous sounds, but alas! Were we fortunately incorrect! Gavin, as well as E & G LOVED LOVED LOVED the fireworks!  The kids, including Gav, talked about it for days after! Gavin still says kaBOOOOM with a giant smile on his face every time we mention fireworks.  Another blessing of summertime!

Glimpses of Summer

We are truly grateful to the Lord.  We love our new home and where we live.  What an amazing journey we've been on. Just last year we were in transition, with no house! It was so amazing to actually relax and enjoy this summer.  One evening I was feeling so incredibly blessed, that I wanted to search for a scripture verse concerning gratitude.  Here's what I found: 

Ecclesiastes 8:15

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁵ So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.

Grateful to be called a child of God! Anyway, here are some glimpses of summer days.  Sigh; I heart summer time! The sunsets, the warm air, the refreshing pool, the sweet cold treats, the endless mulching to make the landscaping look good, weeding (gasp), grilled savory food, the fireflies, friends, family, colorful towels hanging on railings drying in the sun, and everything else in between. 

Gavin LOVES swimming and jumping off of the diving board!

Air born!

Ella's little best friend, Catharine

gorgeous sunsets from our own backyard

A beautiful rain & sun shower combo!