Summer Catch-Up

I have so many things I want to blog about from our summer.  But sadly, our iMac crashed last week, taking our hard drive and our pictures with it.  We believe we will be able to restore the lost data (please, Lord) for about the price of a small car.  I would sell an organ, though, to get the last 18-months of pictures back. 

Side note:  don't procrastinate on backing up your data...even if you believe you have an unbreakable Mac.

Here are some bullet points that I want to touch on from the past few months.

-  Our summer started off slow, as we were done with school around May 23rd and the weather had not yet consistently warmed up.

-  I started a job at the end of June.  I work for my dad's magazine publishing company, from home, as much or little as I want.  It's a pretty great arrangement.

-  I started training for a half-marathon, that I will be running in October.  Brian is doing it too - yay!

-  We had three amazing camping trips with friends.

-  Emma, Isaiah and Noah took swimming lessons and did so great.  I was completely amazed at their progress over four weeks.

-  Braxton started wearing Thera Togs.  It's therapy grade compression clothing that helps stimulate his muscles and helps him work on controlling his movements. 

-  Braxton finally cut his first tooth at the end of August - a top molar!  He has since cut another molar, and just this morning, his lower front tooth.

We finally started the new school year late last week, and are still getting used to our new schedule.  We have some new activities I am super excited about, like horseback riding and violin lessons. 

I can't wait to get my computer and all my pictures back so I can get back to some regular blogging. 

Happy Fall!

Our Day

Lazy Summer Days

I am loving our summer at home.  Typically we are busy heading out of town nearly every weekend and don't have a lot of time to just...be.  I like going places.  I like new adventures.  But it turns out I also like just having down time with my family.

Don't get me wrong - we are still very busy.  Emma, Isaiah and Noah are doing gymnastics classes for the summer.  Plus they have their Wednesday night church programs.  Braxton has his regular therapy visits and occasional doctor appointments.  I am working out at least once a day, which can some times be hard to fit in around nursing and cooking and laundry.  Biniam is still in Chicago.  And Brian is working long hours.

BUT, the rest of the time, we are enjoying low-key summer activities.  Things like swimming at the pool, playing with the hose in the yard, making popsicles daily, going to the park, and enjoying lazy evenings in the yard with neighbors.

A few nights ago I set out to water some dry spots by hand in the yard.  Soon Noah came to "help" me, followed by Brian.  Before I knew it all the neighborhood kids had turned into the subjects of Noah's target practice.  It's amazing how a hose lets off some sort of sonic sound-wave that only kids under the age of 8 can hear.

Braxton is more awake in the evenings so he gets to hang out and enjoy some of the activities.

Noah transitions effortlessly from play time to bike time.....helped by the fact that he most often can be seen wearing his helmet.

My boys like their hose.

Sorry.

Even the kids sometimes enjoy just hanging out with no distractions.  Plus any excuse to love on their little brother and they will take it.

We have some fun activities planned for this weekend, like an outdoor movie at the park, and going to the horse races for a belated birthday celebration for Brian.  And mowing our lawn.  What are your favorite things to do in the summer?

Yep, it's summer!

  Doing the end-of-year Happy Dance!

 At the park for a start of summer party.

 Exiting the jumphouse.

 A rousing game of Duck, Duck, Goose

 Playing with the parachute.

All three kids are participating. 

 Noah's backing off a little.

 Definitely not sure about this.

Uh, guys? 

Hello? 

Where'd everyone go? 

Screw this, I'm out of here. 

Yep, summer break is officially here.