FAMILY

Jared's parents came to visit to help me out while Jared was away, and Jared was able to spend a few days at home too with them. And with Amber and Sean now living in Pittsburg we were able to spend time with them too. It was nice to have family (and helping hands) around!

 Picking Blueberries

Grandma and Grandpa took the kids to Lowe's Build and Grow program. 

Cousins!

Van loved having Uncle Sean to rough-house with when Jared was gone

Children's museum in Pittsburgh

picture for Bobby's superhero birthday party

Grandma and Grandpa took us to a fun little kids amusement park place before they left town. The boys loved it!

Snapshots

While Jared was doing rotations out of town for the past 2 months we would often send him pictures to his phone of whatever we were up to or the sweet and funny moments just to keep connected. Looking back at all the snapshots made me smile because it is just a great collection of moments that show the kids personalities and just the day-to-day moments that made me smile. These pictures make me happy.

 Beach dinner picnic

 Ward loves to wear random things when he plays, he always has to be wearing something lately

 Ward's rule to live by: you must wear your frog boots at ALL times

 Our sweet neighbors who have adopted our kids as their own grandchildren bring over popsicles for the boys everytime they are playing outside on a warm day

sick 

Van decided to sing songs to Merick to calm her down

My cleaning buddy

 Always a super hero!

He was being a fireman rescuing all the animals

 How we roll!

The ice cream truck goes right by our house!

Merick's Blessing

Blessed on July 28th, 2013

 This little bonnet was made by Merick's great, great, great grandmother?? (I think that is the right number of greats) but Jared's mom and now the granddaughters have been blessed in it as well. 

 Dress made by Grammy Peggy

 Luckily Jared had 24 hours off in between his away rotations that happened to be when his family was visiting so we were able to do the blessing while they were here. Merick is such a happy, smiley girl. Jared had to keep himself from laughing because she was just looking at him grinning during the blessing.

Catching up on Summer

Our first family camping trip at Barkcamp State Park. The boys loved it, we didn't get any sleep but it was a fun memory!

Swimming at the beach before setting up camp

Van found a friend camping at the same site who loved to play transformers as much as he does. He was in heaven.

 4th of July: waiting for the fireworks at Ogelbay Park and playing with friends

A rare sweet moment when they were not tormenting each other

Saying goodbye to Van's best buddy Oakley who moved away

A Fun Start to Summer

Since Jared has had an easy rotation this month, we have had perfect weather and Merick is still little enough that she sleeps as I carry her around, we have had so much fun already this summer. We are trying to pack it all in before Jared leaves for 2 months and before the humid summer heat kicks in!

Our kids have become addicted to mini golf. We discovered they can golf for free at a park by our house so that is their activity of choice lately.

We have spent many days in the sprinklers with Van's friends

Van's friend Rowan, our neighbor

Soccer Camp! After having a very negative experience with spring soccer, we signed Van up for this soccer camp with the professional Pittsburgh soccer team. They were so excellent with the kids and Van had so much fun and loved it. Now he loves to play soccer again!

After every day of soccer camp I would find Ward putting on Van's soccer gear all by himself. He can't wait to be bigger and get to do the things his brother does!

We love summer lunch picnics!

This is what Merick does while we have most of our outings. It is the only place she is happy!

 We can't get enough of her adorable grins!

Van's graduation from  his Safety Town camp which he loved and learned so much!

 This is at a BBQ with some friends, he spent the whole evening on the tractor and was so happy!