Ben's 8th B-Day!

Ben.  

My second son.  

The more serious one.  

The one who likes things to be "just so."  

The one with the infectious laugh.  

The one who is a whiz at math.  

And the one who inherited all the Scandinavian genes, apparently!  

He's the one who turned EIGHT in August!  

We put this on his invitations:

"Ben is turning EIGHT

and I know that he can't WAIT

for you to help him CELEBRATE

so come and swim at SUNGATE!"

Helping to make the "Pool Cake"- same as last year as per his request!

Charlie- protecting the candles from the breeze!

"Get this photo over with so I can eat cake and SWIM!"

Love this boy. 

Feel honored to be his Mommy.

Getaway

At the end of July I went to Florida 

w/ 3 girlfriends and no children.

It was glorious.

The Blue Hole

Mini-Vacay to The Blue Hole.  So FUN!!!

On Ben's 8th B-day!!!  Look at my handsome 8 year old...  :-)

HAD to try a "fried pickle."  Apparently it's what the Blue Hole is known for.

The verdict!

Somebody (with a mouth full of fried pickles) loves her Daddy.

Jumping off the cliff

Geronimo!!!

Trying to strike the flint rocks they found

Synchronized Diving

Where are the Olympics being held in 2022?  

'Cause I think I've got an entry...

Really, really weird

Underwear.  On their heads.  Holes cut for eyes.

I have no explanation for what my sons are doing in these pix.

Other than: they are really, really weird.

Summer '11: Ahhhhh, June.

I love June.  I really love Summer, but it just gets so ridiculously hot later in the Summer here that it makes me really appreciate June.  Lazy, outside mornings, fun outside afternoons doing activities that won't be available later due to the freakish heat... 

June is a lovely song with a fun, catchy beat.  ;-)

Jack at a Webelos Weekend.  Next year he'll be a BOY SCOUT.
Isn't he the handsomest???

 I think the following pictures speak for themselves.  

We took a fun little trip to OKC and went to the Science Museum.  SUCH a fun day!  

Ahhhhh... June...

Memorial Day

You *might* think that the memorial day I am referring to would be the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  But no.  I'm referring to the Memorial Day back in May.  'Cause that's how long it's been since I've blogged!  PATHETIC!!!  

I have so much catching up to do.  I know I'll probably just end up writing a few general posts about the WHOLE SUMMER and call it good, but I am determined to at least get this summer recorded so that the next time I have my blog printed into a book, there won't be a gaping hole from May - September.  

We *did* have such a great summer. 10, 7, and 4 are great ages.  We were able to do whatever we wanted whenever we wanted b/c no one needed an afternoon nap.  Everyone could swim (more on that later) and everyone could enjoy the same movies.  I know soon we will be headed into ages where this won't hold true, so for this summer I just really soaked it up and enjoyed every minute of my kids enjoying the same activities and enjoying each other.  

And we kicked it all off by participating in the taking down of the flags at the "Avenue of Flags" at Floral Haven on Memorial Day.  And here are the pix to prove it.  

More Summer catch-up coming soon!