Summer Memories (and a cute dog and cat, well, because)

I can't believe that summer is more than half over for us. So much has been squeezed in between the "normal" going-ons. It took heading up to the Smokies to finally get us to laze around like slugs (more on that later!). Since the idea of this blog was to help us keep our memories, here's a smorgasbord of photos that I don't want to forget about.

Nazeriah had an amazing experience with Camp Anytown - a five-day/four-night residential camp on the campus of Eckerd College. The goal - to give teens "a framework for having hard conversations with people who don't look like them and an understanding of why that's important." Wow. What a week she had. You can find more here: Anytown.

Chayton's almost last day of school was a walking field trip to the beach in Gulfport - and I was able to chaperone! 

Before that happened, his STEM Club presented at an all-district gathering and his science project on how oil spills affect feathers was featured at a school gathering. (Mr. Safety Patrol always had his belt on at school - safety first!)

Then there was that time he built a panda lego sculpture ... and became a kitchen ninja (during a Wacky Wednesday cooking session with Tante Jeri).

That time I dyed my hair mermaid colors ...

Hanging out in Ohio after camps.

And now onto the cute animals ...

New York City + New Jersey Catch-Up

Courtney and Chayton headed up to New York/New Jersey to help celebrate the amazing work of one of our favorite people - Reverand Judy Tomlinson.

Zip-lining in Costa Rica

Getting ready for a dip in a waterfall pool in Costa Rica.

And throughout their visit, Courtney sent me pictures to play "guess where I am."

With Rex inside the Museum of Natural History

Whole Foods - Columbus Circle

With Teddy Rosevelt at the front of the Museum of Natural History.

Rockefeller Center

Central Park

Central Park!

The Rock - Rockefeller Center

Raymond's in Montclair, NJ

Best bed in town! (West Orange, NJ)

Chayton with our favorite Cupcake.

While the boys were off having fun ... the girls stayed down in Florida. Unfortunately, two of us were sick the whole time. :-( I can't remember the last time I felt that sick. But we finally managed to start feeling better and go out for a girls only lunch.

Memorial Day Catch-Up

This past Memorial Day, Courtney kicked off summer by taking the kids up to Rome, GA for a long weekend of spending time with their friends.

You'll notice that most of the pictures are of Chayton and his friend ... as once the girls were dropped off at the Twin's house, he didn't see them again until it was time to go home!

Father's Day 2017

Happy (post) Father's Day to an amazing and wonderful father! (Check out that layered cake that someone made for his dad along with a yummy dinner that he planned for all week.)

Summer Fun - Sleep Away Camp Part II

After Courtney picked-up the girls, it was time for the second drop-off for little man's fourth year at sleepaway camp.

This year, he's spending the week as a Ranger's Apprentice (from the book series by John Flanagan). What first hooked us on this camp, and what we continue to love about it, are the literary theme camp options - Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Ranger's Apprentice and Star Wars (ok, so the last one is more movie driven ...). 

Just like the girls - he had an AMAZING week doing all the things he really loves about camp: archery (with a hand-made bow) and horseback riding. Plus he was able to do it in a hooded cape. Does it get any better than that?!? Well, maybe if they would have added in kayaking or canoeing - but they were a bit busy being Rangers and protecting the camp from enemy invaders.