Full swing into Fall routine

Soccer is the sport of the season for Sawyer. Alice is taking piano and swimming. 

picture day  

3rd grade girls Ice Cream Social

1st grade boys Ice Cream Social

looking back 9 years on Mama's birthday

Today's been a day where my mind's on Mama. I made buttermilk pound cake with Alice to honor her 69th birthday, her second in Heaven. These pictures are all from a surprise 60th celebration that she LOVED. I loved surprising her and celebrating my mama and friend. There was no shadow of cancer this day, Mark and I weren't parents, lots of other things were different then too. 

Mama helped me love birthdays, while many people I know don't. Celebrating another year of surviving life's challenges and experiencing all the friendships and love is WORTH a big piece of cake! She'd say "Consider the alternative". Today her alternative is better than life here, but I still miss her. I'll celebrate in honor of the love she gave so freely and her impact on my life. 

Back to School Week

Sunday: Long Branch Neighborhood Triathlon

Alice completed the entire thing: 200m swim, 1/2 mile run, 2 mile bike!!!

Mark won the adult version!! 

Monday: Meet the Teacher Open House followed by Water Park with friends

Tuesday: First Day of 1st Grade and 3rd Grade

Summer visit to AL

Moss Rock Preserve boulder fields (looks like a gator) 

Hillary hosted a crew of cousin family :)

 McWane Science Center

 Birmingham Zoo with Shannon and boys (yay, baby girl arrived this week!)

bowling with Squires, Elys & Grandaddy

Created for a Purpose creative arts girl camp creations

VHHS 20 year reunion

Lake Martin life with Holmes, wonderful hours on the water with family

 quick detour to Highlands NC on our drive back

2018 summer in our neighborhood

Lots of swimming and swim team fun!

inner Harbor & Maryland Science Center with Birds

neighborhood July 4th Parade

Ely cousins visit 

A look back at age 5. We love Sawyer!

Sawyer's Age 5 Photo Book *click here*

There are so many reasons to love our snaggle-tooth, Lego-loving kindergarten son Sawyer. We're happy to celebrate his 6th birthday today!

The Nine Lives of Jackson

Our dog Jackson seems to be part cat. Here's a review of his nine lives:

1. fell in to a backyard pool and identified as a wild dog from the woods
2.  rescued from the woods of northern Georgia at 6 months old (2006)
3.  treated for heart worms
4. leash tied to tied to unstable post which bounced behind/chased him down Newbury Street in    Back Bay before being he was hit by a car and broke his leg
5. survived daily fright of city living *Boston*: buses, skateboards, strollers, loud trucks
6. survived fright of living near water *Charleston*: waves, ripples and splashing.
7. kidney failure, lost bladder control, breathing spasms mid-January 2018 *Virginia*
8. skipped an appointment to be put down last Wednesday because of #7. Jackson woke up that morning with his tail wagging and seems to be improving. We'll see how long Jackson holds out until his next life it up.
9. ????

He has survived moving to 5 states, international travel to Canada, long road trips, long walks in the woods, and outwitted numerous squirrels, possum, cats, etc.

FL Christmas at Disney Animal Kingdom (part 5)

evening water show spectacular "We Are One"

monkeys at play (in background!)

 Animal Kingdom was a new park for our family at Disney. The Finding Nemo show, safari and Mt Everest roller coaster ride were the big hits. I swear the roller coaster spun upside down while we were in the dark. I felt sick but the kids and Mark wanted to repeat! We felt like the park would be better for just half a day, but we were glad to see what we could while we were there. 

Sawyer was scared of the loud fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. Animal Kingdom used the amazing projector on water cannons to make a show. Beautiful!

can you see the kamodo dragon?

Lion King was okay, the Finding Nemo puppet musical was FANTASTIC

on safari

playing drums in Africa