the pool

This summer will probably always be known as "the summer of the pool".  Oh, the pool.  We had no idea what kind of gem was around the corner when we moved into the "summer home".  It turned out to be where we actually spent the majority of our time.  This photo of Mia perfectly captures how we all felt about our summer.  

It was one large pool with diving boards on one end and there was also a baby pool.  Violet went back and forth from the big pool to the baby one.  She could never make up her mind about which one she preferred.  We wore her out because we would go to the pool after lunch and stay until close to dinnertime.  

Tyson spent the first two week going off the diving board over and over the entire time we were there.  I couldn't believe it wasn't getting old but it did wear off a bit by the end of summer.  On the weekends, he and Jason would have a blast together doing crazy jumps.

Shane even got to swim with us when he visited.  They were all thrilled to show him the ropes at "our pool".

There was even a playground for the kids to play on during adult swim time.  It was perfection.  This was Violet's favorite move on the monkey bars every single time.

Mia thought she was so funny when she put on my hat, sunglasses, and cover-up and pretended to be me.  I am not sure I typically stand that way but apparently she thinks I do.

Even getting there was fun because Violet and I followed the big kids on their bikes since it was less than a mile away.

And the award for best dive photo of the summer goes to this classic.  It makes me laugh every time.

It was this pool where Violet learned to swim and not from taking swim lessons, but all on her own.  She was a little fish by the end.  It was amazing to watch.  It was this pool where after weeks of encouragement and coaxing, Mia finally took a brave step and jumped off the diving board.  She loved it of course,  just as we knew she would.  She even ended up jumping off the high dive once.  It was this pool where we spent hours upon hours together making precious memories that will never fail to bring a smile to my face.  I knew it was amazing and did not take it for granted. I soaked up every last ray of sunshine along with every sweet smile, laugh, and milestone from our babies.  So very thankful for the glorious "summer of the pool". 

random summertime memories

We moved into what we referred to as our "summer home" right after school was out.  It turned out to be the most amazing summer and we made so many sweet memories.  We were very thankful Grandma Judd found this place for us to live because it worked out just perfectly.  Jason's commute was cut in half, an awesome pool was around the corner, the weather was amazing, and we got to explore a whole new-to-us part of town.

Mia's little dance recital just so happened to be the night of our first moving day.  That felt like the longest day of my life.  But watching that girl on stage is worth everything.  She shines.  She was so excited and danced so beautifully.  We were so proud of our little bunny.

Next up was "cousin vacation".  The kids look so forward to this little tradition of going to Kentucky and staying in a condo with Grandma, PaPa, Aunt Julie, Uncle Matt, and their cousins.  We swim, play games, color, explore, walk, play at the park, and have all kinds of fun.  They brought badminton  this year which the big kids and grown-ups loved.

The kids found a turtle this year that they got to hang out with for a bit.  They were so excited about him and even named him but nobody seems to remember what name they came up with.

I took the kids strawberry picking and we had such a good time.  I did not know what to expect since it was our first time but they got the hang of it quick and we came home with a crazy amount of strawberries.

Baseball was a part of our summer again this year.  However, that may be our last, at least for now.  He didn't enjoy it like he did the first year and was over it by the end.  I love to watch him play sports though and he is the cutest thing in his little baseball uniform.

Oh, how Violet loves her bubba.  She was always encouraging him during his games.  So stinkin' sweet.

We enjoyed Graeter's a few times of course.

We got library cards at the nearest library to the "summer home" and frequented that place.  It was a super nice library and when they told us we had a limit of 10 books for the first 60 days with our new card, the kids were devastated.  We typically leave the library with around 40 books so narrowing it down to 10 each time was tough but we made it work.  

We went to our favorite parks and climbed our little hearts out.

I introduced the girls to the towel turban and they thought it was awesome.  Since they bathed daily after being in the pool, they requested this look each time.

Their favorite thing to do when Momma makes them go shopping...pretend to be mannequins at Old Navy.  These kids are seriously so much fun, I actually miss them when I shop by myself.

We celebrated the best daddy ever on a beautiful Father's Day.

We ate outside on the patio of the "summer home" quite often.

Our great nephew had his first birthday party.  He is the cutest and it was so much fun celebrating his sweet little self.

Our fourth of July was pretty low key.  We got to celebrate at the "summer home" in that beautiful yard full of large trees.  Cousin Shane spent the holiday with us and it ended up raining which cancelled most firework displays in the area.  We were however able to see a few random ones from the car and we were able to get outside when the rain stopped and have fun with the classic sparklers and snakes.  They were both a huge hit.  Violet was in awe of the sparklers and they all thought the snakes were so cool.

We visited the new house several times to keep an eye out on construction and because we were so very excited to watch it progress.

Beth, Tia, & Xavier visited the "summer home" and we had lots of fun and laughs.

We took random family selfies in the backyard because it was pretty, we were having too much fun, and I made them do it.

There was a great creek close to us that was beautiful and fun to explore.

The kids and I had a little chick-fil-a date after the library one day.

We finally made it to Prasco Park for a free ballgame, food, and bounce houses.  We couldn't believe we had waited so long to try it out.  Such a neat place with so much fun to be had.

The kids did a whole lot of bike riding all summer long.  Violet was thrilled to move on from her tricycle to Mia's old "big girl" bike.

We went on Costco runs occasionally which they always love to do because they stuff their faces with free samples.

Toward the end of summer, Avery got all her hair cut off and donated it.  She had been wanting to do that for so long and was finally able to.  She was so excited and said right away that she wanted to grow it right back out and do that again.

Violet got a cutie little haircut too.  I was wishing I had done it sooner, it's the cutest.  I think this haircut was made for her sweet little face.

The weather was extra good this summer and we were able to spend most of our days at the pool which is everyone's favorite.  Basically, it was our favorite summer to date and we all wished it could have lasted forever.

vacation

Vacation is an amazing thing and we are so thankful to be able to spend a week in a little slice of heaven each summer.  We have kind of mastered the vacation, the beauty of going to the same place each year.  We leave thinking it can't get any better and then the next year it is.  The stopping on the way there and home makes the road trip completely bearable and extra fun.  The kids travel like champs and when we get to the hotel, they are pumped and can't wait to get into that pool!

We visit Fuddpuckers each year mainly for the gator beach because the kids love it so much.

And at 3 years old, she was just not quite ready to do vacation without a nap.  She just fell asleep whenever she got a chance, sweet baby girl.

Taking walks in the evening to dinner is a family favorite.

Oh, how I love looking at these brown babies all ready for the beach.  I love walking behind everyone just to observe and take in all the sweetness of those walks to the beach.

And then there is the flip flop photo that I just have to take each year.

I get really into picking out their swimsuits for the summer.  I realize it is silly and doesn't matter at all, but I have fun with it and love coordinating them at least while they will still let me.  I was pretty excited about the mint greens and blues this year.  I could photograph them at the beach all day, it's too much fun for me.

These two love to be buried and it cracks me up.  Jason gets them all nice and snug in the sand and then they have busting out of it.

Why, oh why does she have to grow up?

There are really only teeny tiny white shells to be found on this beach but the kids continue to search because you just never know.

I even got in a photo and it makes me smile so big.  Precious memories.

Little buddy got to turn 8 at the beach.  Best birthday ever.

He chose Pompano Joe's for his birthday so that is where we went.  We walked and ate overlooking the water...it's a dinner tradition each year made even better with the celebration of our little man.

It really is no wonder people stare at these children when we are out...I know they are mine but they were created completely by God so I can safely say, he outdid himself and they sure are fun to look at.

There is even a photo of Jason and I...probably should have had the kids take it, rather than attempting a selfie but it is definitely better than nothing.  He is the best man and I am incredibly blessed to call him mine.  

My whole heart right there in the ocean.

And to them, you can't beat eating pizza in your hotel room on the way home.  It's their favorite thing.

And my favorite thing is seeing them cuddled up on a big bed together.  The cherry on top of an amazing vacation sundae.  Until next year...