Summer's Last Hurrah

We didn't do a whole lot on Labor Day. My family had a big family reunion the Saturday before (pictures to come as soon as I narrow them down a bit!) so we just hung out at the house; me-working on school planning/organizing, Todd-working on work and doing some household things I'd been nagging him about  waiting patiently for him to do for me ;)

But we ended the day and celebrated the coming of fall with a little cookout and a special treat. S'mores had been on our summer list all summer! Finally, we decided it was time :)

After all those sweet treats, the boys decided to work it off with a little game of football :)

This picture is blurry, sorry about that, but I had to post it! The big grin on Nicholas' face says it all!

Even though I titled this Summer's Last Hurrah, I'm really hoping for more warm evenings to enjoy just like this :)

Enjoying the Rest of Summer

We are starting school next week! We never have started before Labor Day so this is new for us. We started our summer a little early this year so really, I think we're ready ;)

But...

That doesn't mean there isn't fun to be had still!

Yesterday, we went to my aunt and uncle's to swim! It was really good to see them too :) My mom and Aunt Willa stopped over to visit as well, so it was a little party!

First we (they) swam. My uncle's pool isn't heated and it's in the shade, so this mama wasn't hopping in! ;) They're having a big tree removed today that shades the pool most of the day so hopefully it'll be a bit warmer!

Then we (they) climbed:

That flash of orange way up high is Brandon! And he was on his way down!

Megan wanted so badly to be in on the climbing :)

Then we picked berries! Yum! My uncle always has some yummy fruit for us to pick!

My uncle can't resist giving out samples :) And our kids can't resist eating them!

It was a great afternoon! We stayed way longer than I had planned which means I didn't get ANYTHING done around this house yesterday! But it was so worth it :)

Tie-Dye!

One of the things the kids really wanted to do this year was tie-dye. Even though it didn't make our summer list, I was planning it. Until I saw that one of the VBS's they went to was planning it! I'm off the hook! Or so I thought. It turned out that only Brandon's grade made them. So it made a reappearance on my shopping list. But! Our church has had get-togethers for their first through fourth graders once a month this summer. They played water games and some other outdoor games. We hadn't made it to any yet, but for this last one of the summer, they were tie-dying too! Nicholas was begging to go. So I took him ;) When we got there, they asked Megan if she wanted to stay too. YES! (Brandon was at home or he probably could have stayed as well) They had a ball playing and, of course, loved doing the tie-dye. Megan won one of the dodge-ball games :) She threw the ball and got the other person out. Nicholas was really excited for her since she was on his team ;)

So here they all are enjoying their tie-dye shirts!

Megan really wanted to hold Brandon's hand:

Brandon was not in a hand-holding mood ;) Look at that face!

Then they started cracking up!

Cuteness!

Let the Games Begin!

Megan had her very first soccer game last Saturday! Due to not checking the schedule carefully, we arrived one hour early. GAH! Like we don't have anything better to do than sit around a soccer field watching other kids play! As luck would have it, they have a pretty nifty playground ;)

Then, finally, it was time! Megan did really well. A little tentative at first, but she soon caught on that the best way to actually get to kick the ball is to get in there and get it! Toward the end of the game, she scored her very first goal :)

G

Go Megan!

Cruising

Last Friday, we spent our family night on the lake! At least once during the summer, we take the boat to Buckeye Lake for a little evening cruise. We stop for pizza at Catfish Charlies then hit the water! So much fun!

At Catfish Charlies:

Safety first ;)

Todd has good boat helpers ;)

I LOVE going out on the boat. It's so very relaxing to me to be out there cruising around checking stuff out. I could spend the whole evening out there and am always disappointed when it's time to leave. (even though sometimes Todd drives me nuts with the whole zooming around at what feels like the speed of sound. the kids love that part ;))

Out came the fishing poles! They didn't get any bites but they were happy to have their poles in the water a bit. I think it might be time soon for a little fishing trip ;)

Megan was watching those poles closely ;)

We spent a little time back in the cove where they fish but then it was back to the open water (and zooming!).

I caught some flare in my picture!
Enjoying the water...and the company :)

Gorgeous!

Brandon got to steer us in to the boat ramp: