School's Out for Summer!

Seriously, I have that song in my head. 

Just that part...

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMA!

We celebrated with a backyard hotdog roast, soccer and ice cream cones!

Let the summer begin!

Diamond Lake

We have spent the last week with my family on vacation at Diamond Lake. 

Relaxing.  Playing.  Laughing.  Tubing.  Swimming.  Dancing.  Cooking.   

Soaking up the sun.

Enjoying our time together.  

7 kids.

5 adults.

8 wonderful days.

The car ride was llloooonnnngggg, but I loved seeing the wind farms.  

They are amazing.

We had a fun 4th of July 

and snuggled on the dock to watch fireworks.

This little man was my side kick all week.  Seri spent ALOT of her time with the "big" kids swimming, tubing and riding bikes.  My little man and I played on the small beach, colored and rode on the boat. 

 Nightly Dance competitions.

 Seri caught her first fish!

Another great vacation.  

Happy Adoption Day!

It was 3 years ago today that I became a Mama to my beautiful little girl. I am so lucky. Her smile lights up a room. Her giggle is contagious.

She is beautiful, energetic, kindhearted and spunky.

I love her to pieces.

This is the first picture we took of our sweet Seri. It was the first day we brought her to her new home. She was SO excited she could barely sit still. Her smile beamed the entire night and still does 3 years later.

Where do our evenings go?

As I was driving home tonight and it was almost dark already, I got a little sad feeling like my day is being cut short. No more coming home and the kids playing outside while I make dinner. We are going to have to start a different evening routine for fall and winter. (Those of you who know me well know that I am all about routine for my kiddos.)

The evenings go by so fast.

4:30-5:00 Home from school, backpacks emptied, shoes and coats away, SWEATS on for Mama

5:00-5:30 Seri reads to me while I make dinner. Jett is usually at the table creating something. Tonight it was a bracelet for me. love. I am still wearing it.

5:30-6:15 Dinner, dishes, quick bath, jammies, set clothes out for tomorrow

6:15-6:50 We relax together by the fire and candlelight to watch a movie. We all sit down and relax for a few minutes. One of my favorite times of the day.

Nice, quiet, calm, house.

6:50-7:15 Teeth brushed, stories, snuggles and goodnights. Up at 6:30 am.

P.S. This is why I love Duraflame logs. Cozy.

Day at the Zoo with 3 of our Favorite Girls.

Catyler....LOVE her.

And of course, we love the adorable and hilarious Haven too.

Thank you Dawn, Catyler and Haven for a memorable day at the zoo.

So much fun.

More Beach Pics...

Jett got his face painted for the first time. A crab, ofcourse.

The two boys in the family. Jett loves his big cousin Sy.

Couldn't resist taking a picture of this cute sandy bum.