Summer's End

Take a picture walk with me through summer's end 2022.

This summer has been one of the most low key of my life, and maybe the longest.  I think we are all actually ready to go back (shockingly). 

Unfortunately this summer was the first time my whole family was on the same page, and not in a good way.

COVID knocked us out for weeks!!

We feel some lasting effects such as my hair is still falling out, Darren still has a cough, and we all have some lingering exhaustion.  

Otherwise, we are back and feeling good.

This summer I spent a ton of time reading (17 books this summer), planning for more balance this school year, watching Netflix, 

& playing with sweet Mags! 

This summer my "babies" hit a growth spurt.  

Connor shot up 4 inches and Carlee too!!  

We had to practically shop for a new wardrobe.  

I tried something new for summer- SOCCER!  I've been assistant coach to the girl's soccer team (and sometimes boys) all summer.  I'm still learning the game but it's been surprisingly fun and interesting to learn something new.

Happy Birthday to D.

another year older and wiser.

(Also congrats to 19 years of being married to me!)

This summer I continued to teach both summer school and my sweet girl tutoring group.

Can I tell you how proud I am of my four girls that tutored during the long summer while everyone else was summer chillin'!?!

As a reward, 

I went on a little field trip with those that could.

See!?! 

I am Ms. Frizzle!! 

Studying up on the telescope! 

Bear Den

Mood Rings

Congrats ladies, you are so ready for the school year!! 

One fantastic benefit to this summer is that Car Car and I spent a lot of time together. 

With D. working and caring for Meme and Connor driving....

it was me and Car all the time!! 💗

This was the last day of fourth grade.

Gosh it seems a lifetime ago!!! 

Carlee tried some new things like Volleyball Camp!

We also had a lovely picnic,

and spent time with friends.  I think it took me 45 minutes to set this up, 

only for the girls to be done and back on their phones in about 8 minutes! 

🤣🤣

We enjoyed shopping the deals this summer! 

My girl is nothing but a fashionista.

We love Hobby Lobby! 

Calm Down with Christmas Hobby Lobby

...it's 98 degrees. 

Carlee saved up her money, 

and with Mimi's help bought her perfect back to school shoes-

white, high-top Converse sneakers.

"sooooo aesthetic" 

My gal went off the diving board and rope for the first time this year!!

You go girl!

We love the pool, 

but too bad a monsoon came the last 4 weeks before school.

Good bye summer tans.

If this child starts sweating and gets the shakes in 5th grade, it's because of:

Chick Fil a Withdrawal!

We seriously ate there four times a week this summer.

We found this little art shop in our area.

At first I was like 'what in the world is this place!?!'

But then we took the talented cuz T, and the art began to unfold.

You just show up, pay a rate, and pilfer through a room of junk, 

and then you turn it into art!! 

Thank Gosh we have T. 

She can turn anything into art!!!

The owner is amazing.  She made us tea, cotton candy, and macaroni and cheese pizza while we made everything from picture frames to clay to Shrinky Dinks!!  

Of course, Carlee found a real dog.  

(She always finds a dog.)

Tru turned this old brown mirror into a design with her new high school colors. 

Carlee turned a brown butterfly into a purple one, which I hung up on our wall beside her picture.  

They made total fun of my clay pencil. 

We all can't be

CREATIVE GIRLS.

Con Con 

This boy has really did a LOT this summer. 

First things first- he got those license!! 

(I haven't seen him since.)

Next stop- WORK to pay for those gas prices!! SHEW

Following in his mom and dad's footsteps- 

his first job is at a grocery store.  

Dang the picture to the right must have been a rough shift for me. SHEW

Working stocker/ milk boy/ bag boy... 

in the house!!! 

I love showing up and photographing him.  

lol.

He also joined a mission team, and held a VBS in Vermont with another church.

I think it went great

He led the skits each night.  I know after watching me do Children's Church for the majority of his young life, he was ready to do anything ridiculous on stage. 

He really connected with this little young man, and taught him all about God. 

This is what it's all about, and I could not be more proud.

I know that this is where God wanted him. 

He also went to Hershey Park (and now we all want to go)!! 

He spent what free time he had with friends, on the tennis court, and

playing mini golf! 

This is it folks. 
We are about to embark on a major spiritual and mental journey this year with my 20th year, Connor's 11th, and Carlee's 5th.

Prayers for a great school year!!