10 years

Saturday was my 10 year high school reunion. It was good to see everyone and hear what they have been up to. The night began at my friend Elizabeth's house. She only lives about 15 minutes away and we have recently (because of the reunion) found each other and started hanging out. Anyways, she did my nails, hair, and make-up for the night. And she provided the top half of my outfit. We got together with another friend from high school, Jenny. Who provided me with the bottom half of my outfit. It was just like old times. We didn't stay out quite as late as we used to, but when my head hit the pillow at 1 a.m. I was out. All in all it was a good time. I'd guess there were at least 100 people (1/3 of my class) there. It was held at Whitlow's on Wilson. A bar in Arlington. Well, I feel like I've had a good 10 years since high school. And it sounds like pretty much everyone else has too.

Elizabeth, myself, and Jenny. All growed up. I hope they don't mind the photo.

CJ pics

Campfire

Two weeks ago our friend Chuck came up from BV to give our white car a second chance at life. He, with Chris's help, took off the broken door, bent it enough to close it, and drove it back down to BV. While he was here we went to my brother's to hang out for a while. It was the most gorgeous night in a really long time. So we went outside and had ourselves a campfire. Chris made THE PERFECT MARSHMALLOW. Then he did it again and again and again. Until every adult had eaten one. Perfectly golden brown, melt-y on the inside, crusty on the outside. I mean it was incredible. Chuck's marshmallow didn't turn out so good. The girls made S'mores with barely roasted marshmallows and had fun in their own camp chairs. It was a great night and I can't wait until we live up there and either have our own campfires or crash my brother's fire.



The girls hanging out. They get along so nicely. Emily is wearing Belle's pajamas. I think they thought if she was in jams, then she got to spend the night.


Nothing like the dog days of summer. Life is GOOD.

Lunch With Grandma Weber

We love to have lunch with Grandma Weber. We do it as much as we can. This summer we haven't gotten to go as much as I've wanted to. Emily loves to go see Grandma at work. We either bring a "picnic" (PB&J) and eat in her office (or the conference room) or we go to Pizza Hut. I actually think Emily prefers to eat at Grandma's office. CJ is always the trooper and everyone at Grandma's work loves him. For those of you who don't know Grandma works as a registrar at Springbrook High School in Maryland. Everyone is so impressed with how big CJ's getting. These pictures are of our most recent visit to see Grandma. This time Grandma went and got the pizza and brought it back. The cinnamon sticks are a big hit. We love you Grandma and thanks for making time for us.

The Pool

Ah, the powers of peer pressure. In a good way, that is. Check this out. Today we went swimming at the Lovettsville Pool. Emily is a decent swimmer now and can jump off the side by herself and swim back to the edge. Well, today, her cousins were going off the diving board. Last time (Mimi got all the video footage) Emily jumped off into the arms of her Godmother, Elle, and swam back to the side. Today...well check it out for yourself.

No adults in the water this time.

This was her inspiration. Her cousin Kate.


Belle learned to jump in off the side. Once she even did it with no hands.


Thomas jumped off the diving board. He did not want to wear a floatie since at this time none of his cousins were wearing any. I've been taking him swimming all summer and this is the first time I've taken the floatie off him. He did very well.


A GREAT day at the pool. I'm so proud of all the kids. Whitney taught Athena how to do a silly "duck" jump. Emma was showing them all how to jump off the diving board. Olivia was having a great time swimming with her cousin Sophie. William was content in the baby pool. CJ was sad to have missed his nap. It was a gorgeous day and I'm glad we got to spend it with some cousins.

And some other photos from the pool today.

Some cousin fun

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Here are Thomas, Ben, Lucy, and Emily playing outside the Doctor's office. I believe we had two appointments. Instead, Dr. Blood (yes, that's his real name) saw seven of us. He's great and we love him. I took these four, plus Kaitlyn and Chloe, outside so the waiting room would be a little quieter. I mean THIS is what having cousins is all about.

More Fun in PA

We have such a great time at The Huck. Huckleberry Acres that is. We went in the middle of July when we had 4 out-of-state cousins visiting. We took four different vehicles up there (one of which was a 12 passenger van) and lots of Virginia cousins. Uncle Von took the boat out twice. A few of the nieces and one nephew went off the rope swing. I only got video of Athena, she's 6, and either Mary or Lexi. If I had blogged about it when it happened I could have told you which one. Oh well. The kids had a blast on the hammock. Just watching them run around and have fun was awesome.
Enjoy the pictures.

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Chickens

So my brothers got some chickens. They've rebuilt, fixed up and made a new chicken coop. These chickens seem to be in for the long haul. We have a hawk who hangs around, looking for a meal. I was outside one day and it swooped down trying to get the rooster. Luckily, Roosty made to safety in time. My brothers have five hens and one rooster. Emily got to name the first hen. She chose the name "Twinkle". The breed of this hen has the name Star in it. Red Star or something like that, you'd have to ask my brother Sam. So Emily thought Twinkle was a good name. Anyways since then, she and I have named them all. Twinkle, Sparkle, Black Beauty, Lady/Big Red, and Dirt/Mud.

Emily is holding Twinkle and Thomas is holding Sparkle.