Thanks..

to Riley for being such a good Indian in her program,to Aunt Katie for the adorable hats,and for taking lots of pictures like these...

and to Porter for learning to play his DS upside down, and to KK and Poppy for the beautiful house we all got to stay in for Thanksgiving so we could all be together and take family photos like these!

Thankful

for these two...

You sunk my battleship!

Ask any kid in den 11 and they'll tell you that 1/2 the reason they wanted to be a cub scout this year was to get the chance to spend the night on the USS Alabama in Mobile. So, when Brice couldn't go because of a previously scheduled trip, Poppy came to the rescue! None of us may fully understand the joys Poppy experienced sleeping on a cot suspended from the ceiling on a WWII era navy battleship with 70 first and second grade boys.... we'll let him share those memories when he's fully recovered and emotionally ready to tell his story. But until then, thank you Poppy for giving of your time and energy! Porter will never forget it!

Tricks/Treats

A bug-eyed lady bug, a scout (or Porter, on a Tuesday as we liked to call his costume) and a rhinocerous. Lizzie definitely has her sibs beat in the "willing to go out on a limb" category.

Trim

I cut Lizzie's hair for the first time... (Before)

(After)

Goal!

Porter, shortly after a wicked-awesome goal a few Saturdays ago!

Coach Dad

Just wanted to give a shout-out to Brice, who works hard all day and still takes time to be a den leader and soccer coach. We always knew he looked like a natural in his scout uniform, but I've learned that he can also carry off the purple coach uniform. We love you dad.

Porter's Tiger Cub Den, at the Armed Forces Museum. (Po is third from left, for those interested)


Riley's soccer team.

Yee-Ha

I didn't ask Riley to pose this way. I really, really didn't. The kids enjoyed dressing up for the recent cowboy day as part of Spirit Week. Growing up, I remember how much fun it was to have a week where you got to wear something different besides your uniform. I guess Lizzie had been growing weary of her usual uniform around the house too....

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We Got A Bobcat!

Porter joined cub scouts this year. Last night he recieved his first patch, Bobcat. Unfortunately, they don't turn the boys upside down to pin it on like when I was a kid.

A Little Less Conversation....

Sometimes it's all you can do to just keep on keeping on when times are tough. With the death of a very close friend recently, I've not taken the time to document too many of the fun, every day moments that our family has been having. My tendency has always been to bury myself in busyness when things are sad, bad, or just plain depressing. How comforting that God gives us our own little refuges to hide in when we just can't deal with talking about the sad things. Our kids have to keep going to soccer practices, scout meetings and ballet, and the world can't stop just because I'm sad. What a relief!

The kids had a great opening day of soccer! Somehow, both of their teams ended up being called "The Cheetahs." Riley's team came up with that name, and Porter thought it was cool enough to suggest to his coach.
I guess Cheetahs aren't really gender specific.

Liz-a-lina Ballerina

Finally, after two years of watching from the sidelines, it was finally Lizzie's turn to shine.

Firsts

We had a good first day of school today. Porter is now an old pro, and displayed a sufficiently "this isn't that big of a deal" attitude throughout. Riley is taking the whole thing very seriously, and her first words as she rolled out of bed were, "I have a lot of work to do." Lizzie is getting used to the idea of having my undivided attention for the first time, and I'm adjusting to having one kid in the house all day for the first time in seven years! Here's to firsts!

It's a cruel, cruel summer....

...mostly because it's over. Take one last jump in the pool, kids. School starts Tuesday!

Friends are friends forever...

I was blessed with a visit from my longest, oldest best friend... hard to believe we've known each other since we were three. She and her precious baby boy, Wendell, came by for a quick lunch on their way through town. I love you Sarah and Wendell! And much thanks to Katie and Mrs. Short for taking the time for the pit stop.

West Virginia...Mountain Mama

Porter, Riley and a not-too-thrilled Lizzie, posing with my cousin Lisa's baby, Miles.


Lizzie, eating tomatoes as fast as anyone can slice em.



Posing during the nature hike.

Porter, riding the range.

Riley, working on archery with Brice's cousin Bryan

All the grandkids and great grandkids sporting their archery caps.

Riley and Ryleigh

Although we would not recommend driving 12 hours with three kids to the general population, our kiddos really came through for us and were absolute sweethearts in the car. We stopped on the way up and visited my cousin Lisa and her family in Chattanooga. Then, on to West Virginia where we really enjoyed Brice's family reunion: meeting family, horseback rides, archery, the works! We even found out that one of Brice's cousins has a moniker that sounded very familiar. Once the two little girls got over the initial shock of realizing that they were not unique in the world, Riley Young and Ryleigh Young really enjoyed meeting each other!

We are Family

Thanks again to Katie for taking this. I love my family!

Memphis Trip

Please appreciate the extreme difficutly it took to get this picture. Left to right: Lucie, Nadine, Riley, Porter, Lizzie, Poppy, 2nd row: Joey, Brice, me, mom, Katie.


Hard to believe we just celebrated nine years.


Po preparing to scare the ducks.


Riley participating, Deenie meditating and Lizzie.....

Smiley Riley.

Lizzie, about to take a walk apparently.

My incredibly photographically gifted sister in law Katie took all these while we were having our annual "post general assembly" gathering in Memphis.

A-campin' they will go

Brice and Porter got to spend a fun belated-father's day weekend camping with Brice's dad, our brother in law John, and cousin Ethan! They had such a blast kayaking, hiking, and generally getting really really sweaty. Here's to an annual tradition!