Soccer Camp

Silas attended the British Challenger Sports soccer camp for 1 week recently. On the final day, each of the kids received a diploma in a fun little ceremony.

Silas is here in the middle chatting with a buddy.

The coaches Ashley (who goes by "Ash" here in the US because it's a girls' name here) and Chris.

Silas runs up for his diploma.

And grins.

Silas and Chris

(Chris stayed at our house for a week in exchange for free soccer camp. The kids LOVED him).

Car Craziness

We spend a lot of time in the van, driving here and there... to soccer, the grocery store, the library... When it's time to go, I tell the kids to "jump in the van" and I often don't have an opportunity to look at what they're wearing. About a mile down the road last week, I turned around saw Lorelai wearing this hat. I snapped a picture:

And as soon as I pulled out the camera, Ephraim decided he needed to show me his finest dance moves...

And the antics went on for many miles.

Isn't that hat fun? It was one of those days I was glad to have the camera!

And I have no idea where Azael and Silas were. Funny how I can't remember. I'm pretty sure I didn't forget them somewhere, but who knows?

GogoBlackPuffleParty

For Ephraim's 7th birthday we had a family celebration. Here he is eating his cake!

And showing off his gifts (Gogos and a Black Puffle!)

Happy Birthday AGAIN! Click HERE to read about Ephraim's "friend" birthday party - and a tribute to Ephraim.

Boating

Recently we had the opportunity to ride a pontoon boat around on the lake. It was relaxing. The kids were great, keeping the tradition alive (they have been on two 3-hour canoe trips and were perfectly happy).

Me.

Everyone else. Chris, Silas' soccer coach who stayed with us for a week, is in the back.
Azael is so cool (wearing Chris' hat)

Now, we'd like to go boating again... so if you come visit, we'll take you!

Dells 2010

To celebrate the start of summer, we took a trip to the Dells with some friends. Our kids had a total blast. We all shared a big condo.

Eating in front of the TV... only while on vacation.

Lorelai and Zoe relaxing in the sun.

The moms "bathed" all the girls in the HUGE hottub. Efficiency, baby!

The age and gender match-ups between our 3 families are impressive:
Our group included three babies, three preschool-aged girls, two 5-year-old boys, two 7-year-old boys, one 9 year old boy and one 10 year old boy.
The mommies are all in their thirties. And really cool, of course.
And all the daddies have PhDs.
Like I said, good matchups.

Another trip is in the works for July...

Quest

Now that school's out, our boys have created some of their own fun.
Like when Azael taped 6 sheets of paper together to make a board game called
QUEST.
Quest is not just "any board game."
Quest has teleports to move players around the board more easily.

I'm happy to report that Quest kept them happy for 2 straight days!

Double G is 80!

My Grandma just turned 80! Our kids call her "Double G," which stands for Great Grandma. Double G is hip, fun, happy, loving, and beautiful and we had a blast helping her celebrate. Our family had a big party/talent show to celebrate. Here we all are:

Double G and her 4 children, Joan, Wanda, Linda, & Bob

Some of Double G's more "sophisticated" posterity (posing for an Abercrombie ad): Sydney, Spencer, & Heather

Uncle Gary and my Dad

My Dad with Lorelai

The STARS of the talent show: my aunts Joan & Linda and my Mom singing "Mama" by Il Divo. It was HIL-AR-IOUS!!!

Double G, we all love you so much! We are blessed to have you for our Mom, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother!! I love you Grandma!