Madeline's First Soccer Game

Praying Mantis

On a family walk on Wednesday night, Daddy spotted a Praying Mantis on the sidewalk.  As we stooped low to check it out, it jumped onto Daddy's arm.  We were watching it walk up Daddy's arm, observing its praying arms, and looking at its huge, bulging eyes.  We were all fascinated and intrigued.  All of a sudden, the bug began booking it up Daddy's arm near his should.  Before Mommy could grab it up, it jumped onto Daddy's head and ear.  Daddy reacted by yelling and shooing the bug off.  We all got a great laugh out of it, and sweet Madeline said this, "When we get home, Daddy, you HAVE to Facebook that".

A Labor DayTrip to the Zoo

Before heading out to the zoo, we had a restful morning.  Check out what Madeline created with the change from her piggy bank.  So cute.  I love that she thinks that life is all about smiling!

Ryan and Mommy worked very hard on this 3-D superhero creation.  Even with all his boyish energy, Ryan loves to sit down and color and create things.  My special, special boy.  And what a funny facial expression.

Be careful boy.  That things going to bite you!  Obviously, it's not real, but man, it was one of the most live looking statues we've seen.  We were all a little tentative about touching it.  Of course, Ry was first in line.

And we announce the egg birth of Ryan Joshua. . .40 some pounds and very long.

And also, we announce the egg birth of Madeline Olivia, 40 some pounds, very, very long, and pure sugar.

Me and my babies.  Thankfully, this was a very, very tame rhino!

A little rock climbing.

Okay, his faces crack me up.  Boy, you are too, too funny.  You are such a joy in your Mommy's and Daddy's lives. 

Ride 'em chimpanzee!

Watch out Bobo, Mommy's found a new 4-legged love, and his kisses are much, much drier.

Okay, another really scary, real looking statue.  I love this picture.  So, so cute.

Oh my goodness, what a cute, cute snake picture.  Who else could make standing next to a snake appear so cute!  Mommy's precious, precious baby girl!

Thank goodness, Daddy's so strong.  It's no fun looking at sea lions and seals at less than 4 feet.

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On a whim we decided to go to the zoo on Labor Day.  We had such a wonderful time.  I'm so grateful for time together as a family.

Outer Banks-Hello Earl

 
This year we enjoyed another trip to the Outer Banks with our best friends the James'.  Of course this year was unique because Earl traveled up the East Coast, causing a mandatory evacuation, but oh well. . .those things happen.  And the days that we had at the beach were awesome.  Thank goodness for travel insurance.  And it was sort of exciting, as we waited to see what would happen.

Aunt Lanie and Uncle Bobby are SO fun.  Madeline and Ryan adore them and we are so grateful for this special relationship.  I can't remember what happened in this picture, but I'm pretty sure that it involves a crustacean with pinchers.  And it looks like Aunt Lanie is about to get Ryan.

 
Oh no, Aunt Lanie's got him.  There's no escaping.
 
It might look like Ry's protesting, but this little guy is loving every second of his captivity.  I think there might be some tickling going on here!
 
 Look at that handsome man with his sweet girl.  Daddy has an amazing gift for finding sand crabs.  It might be his incredible patience.  He is SO, SO fun on the beach.  The best daddy ever.
 
 Is this not the coolest turtle?  Madeline, Uncle Bobby, and Aunt Lanie worked tirelessly, sculpting it, and then decorating it with beautiful shells (Uncle B may not have been too involved in the shell decorating).
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My and my boy.  It is so hard to get a picture with him. . .he loves to be going and moving 24/7.  He really is a love bug.  If you catch him before bed at night, he loves to just cuddle and wrap his little arms around your neck and let you know how much he loves.  How often have I heard him say to me, "I love you more than poop"?  What mom of a boy can beat that????!!!!
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Our free spirited, beach loving girl.
 
Oh my goodness, she's adorable!  Look at that precious face.
 
The neighborhood we stayed in had a beachfront clubhouse with an actual diving board.  This is the first time the kids went off a diving board and they LOVED it.  So fun!  How cute is Madeline holding her nose???
 
I'm so grateful for this vacations.  It truly bonds the family and blesses us with memories we will continually cherish.  And it's so special to share this time with the James', who are an extension of our immediate family.  Can't wait till next year!!! 

Virginia Beach

 

Did you know that Matt's home office is in Virginia Beach?  It is, and he had to go there for a week in August, and WE got to join him.  Not only did we get to join him, but he was able to find a hotel that did government rates that was beachfront.  Thank you Hampton Inn.  We had a wonderful time.  I always feel like week-long hotel vacations are particularly bonding since you are share a small room.  Each morning, we rolled out of bed and took the elevator down to a wonderful breakfast.  After we kissed Matt goodbye, the kids and I would hit the boardwalk with their scooters.  There was a playground at the end of the boardwalk that they loved.  Here is our sweet girl, posing for Daddy. 

 

I love pictures of them from the back.  As usual, Ryan is in the lead--he thinks anything involving more than 1 person and a piece of sporting equipment, is a race.  I love my boy's drive (when it's not getting him in trouble! :0) ).

 

Ry, posing for the camera.

 

Our sweet boy LOVES posing for pictures and coming up with different poses.

 

I bet you had no idea that you could use Bugles to transform yourself into a walrus?  Check out our cute walrus.  Madeline has such a rich personality and character.  She loves to be silly and laugh, and she also loves to be serious, and is genuinely caring and thoughtful toward others.  She is always telling us awesome things she has learned about the Lord, and she is beginning to be a young woman who "prays continually".  Often she'll tell me, "yeah, mommy, I've been praying that in my head".  Recently, she told me that she wants to be baptized.  When I asked her what that meant, she explained the gospel to me--that Jesus lived on this earth, and died on a cross to take away our sins and rose again 3 days later, so that we can believe in Him and go to heaven.  Yesterday, we were in the cul de sac.  I was talking to Debra and Madeline, Ry and a Kailyn were riding bikes.  Kailyn is still on training wheels, and always had a place where she got stuck and needed help.  Without Kailyn asking, Madeline saw her need, got off her bike and helped Kailyn up the bump.  Madeline did this time after time, on her own accord.  One thing I love about homeschooling is that we get to preserve her innocence.  She still laughs without reserve and is incredibly silly, not concerned that other people will think she's odd.  My precious, precious daughter.

 

The week we were in Va Beach, there was a surfing contest.  One of the attractions were motorcycle tricks.  Daddy and Ryan LOVED it and watched the entire thing.  After a few tricks, Madeline and I moved on to the playground.

 

Va Beach has an awesome playground that is right on the beach and is covered with a huge awning.  It is also handicap friendly.  It was so fun. . .how often to you get to go to an oceanfront playground????

 Here's Ry on top of the monkey bars--Daddy is so much more fun at the playground!  He, literally, takes M&R's experiences to new heights!

 

Also, as part of the surf boarding competition, was a skateboarding show.  Ry and Daddy ate this up, and thought it was awesome.  Madeline and I went out for ice cream and window shopped--we have so much fun being girls.  Our time at the beach was wonderful.  Thank you, Daddy, for taking us on one of your trips!