Cutie Carly

Just a few recent pictures of Carly. She is so much fun. Full of spunk, yet easy going at the same time!

Space Derby

Justin participated in his first Space Derby a couple weeks ago. It's like the Pinewood Derby, but they boys work on shaping "space ships" out of balsa wood that "fly" along lines. Unfortunately for Justin, we started helping him work on his ship the night before the race, so he didn't win any trophies this year. We promised him that next year we would work harder to win!

Dr. Phillips Community Park

The week before school started, I took Justin, Chase, Carly, Ava & Jake to Dr. Phillips Community Park to play on the playground and then enjoy their little water park. I've lived here for over 7 years and I never knew of this park until Carly's mommy & me group went there. It's a nice change from Celebration parks and not too far away.

Summer Salad & Ice Cream Cook-Off

I'm a little late in posting this one, but here are some photos from our first annual Summer Salad & Ice Cream Cook-Off. Same idea as the Chile Cook-Off we did last November except the food was cool to offset the hot weather. The kids always have a great time together at Lakeside Park while the parents talk and celebrate the end of summer and the start of the school year. Yeah!

Blake Goes to College

Blake just finished his first week of college at the University of Central Florida. Yeah!!! He moved in a week ago last Friday, got his apartment organized over the weekend and then started classes on Monday. He's taking Calculus w/ Analytic Geometry, English Composition, Chemistry and Philosophy this semester, but says it will be "easier than high school." He's enjoying the all-you-can-eat food and the recreation & wellness center with it's climbing tower. I'm sure as the weeks progress, he'll just enjoy college life all the more.

Endings & Beginnings

Well, summer is over and the boys are back to school. Not for long though. Justin had his first day with Mrs. Phillips on Monday while Chase was scheduled for a Tuesday start with Miss Kram. And then came Tropical Storm Fay, who is currently taking her sweet time criss-crossing the state. Most central Florida schools were closed on Tuesday, but fortunately reopened for classes this morning. Both Justin & Chase looked handsome in their new school uniforms, don't you think?

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey

We finally made it to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey up in Maitland (it's actually in little downtown Eatonville) so the kids could give their donation. Because we had five rambuncious 7-8 year olds and 2 toddlers, we just did the guided self-tour. Good idea. We walked the beautiful outdoor paths at our own pace and referred to the color booklet with info on bird type, the story of their rescue and what normal life would be like (region they are from, what they eat, etc.) had they not needed rescue. We saw osprey, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, various owls, carcaras, kites and hawks. Most of the birds we saw will stay there for life as their injuries were too severe to be realeased back into the wild, but there a lots of stories of successful rehabilitation. It's a well maintained facility that's worth a visit if you have never been there!

Bahama Blake

Blake had the opportunity to go with his uncle Tom (his mom's sister's husband, who is a pilot) to a very small island in the Bahamas to do some spear fishing and lobstering. They went on a couple day trips, but also spent a few days out on a catamaran to spear fish and catch lobsters. Blake had a great time but was pretty wiped out from all the constant swimming, snorkeling, diving, etc. And he couldn't wait to take a nice warm shower!

Lemonade Stand a Success!

Yeah!! The lemonade stand was a success today thanks to the great location in Spring Park, lots of hard working kids & parents and temperatures in the mid 90s. I think we went though 12+ quarts of lemonade, a batch of brownies, a couple dozen cookies and a few rice krispie treats. We were out there for just under 2 hours and closed up because we ran out of lemonade. Next time we'll have to buy a jumbo container of lemonade mix from Costco!

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the kids. In addition to them making a little money, they are giving $20 to the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey up in Maitland, Florida. We'll be making a trip up there later this week so the kids can present their donation.

Justin & Katie
The first customers - the Hart boys
Asia, Ari & Annie helping
Chase, Justin & Katie taking a lunch break in the car

The Beach

Ah, the sound of crashing waves, the smell of salty air, the feel of sand between your toes and sun shining on your face... what could be better than the beach? We were fortunate to stay at Roger's coworker's condo on the beach in Daytona Beach Shores, just north of Ponce Inlet where we usually go. The beach is beautiful, clean, flat & wide. Great for skim boaring and Carly playing in the shallow surf. We boogie boarded, body surfed, caught crabs, starfish and sand fleas and dug in the sand. We pretty much rotated between the condo, the beach & the pool every day, all day. Very relaxing...

View from the 5th floor condo
Justin & Chase touching a crab
Carly welcoming the waves
Check out the bottom left picture of Carly. Too funny!

Happy Birthday Mary Kathryn!!

We were lucky enough to spend the day with the Sams family last Saturday to celebrate Mary Kathryn's 8th birthday and Leah & Dan's anniversary. We went out to lunch then enjoyed cupcakes and a little playtime at home. Carly was way more interested in cupcakes this time than at her own birthday. I think she likes chocolate like her mother!

Lemonade!!!

Justin & Katie decided to start a "business" a couple weeks ago and settled on a lemonade stand. Roger took them to Lowe's to buy the lumber and they quickly got busy sawing, drilling & sanding. Yesterday they painted the stand with lots of friends (Davis, Walker, Austin & Dylan helped) and today is opening day. We'll post later with more pictures & details of their profit, the charity they chose, etc. Good old summer fun!