summer: family visits

We had a whole bunch of visitors this summer!! Ellie and Abby flew to San Diego
in July for 10 days. This was a big first for us: putting kids on a plane alone.
Talk about stressful! It was worth it though, and they had such
a lovely time with their Aunt and Uncle and cousins. They only had to fly one way
alone because on the way back home, the Hatchers came with them.

We had a great visit with our San Diego family..... got to celebrate
a couple of birthday parties together, swim at Lake Washington, visit some local
parks, take lots of walks, and play and play and play.

My sweet friend Rene took some great pictures of our crew one of the Sundays
they were here after church. (Check out her photography blog here!!)
Some of these barn pictures are hers and some are mine.
All of the smaller ones were taken from my phone which I have been
so prone to use lately....

(above pic by Rene) 

Of course we had to have our annual barn picture.

Chase requested that we have a tea party....

so out came Mama Jo and Mama Hatcher's tea cups. 

I'll take any excuse to get them out:) 

We frequented a beach called Madrona on Lake Washington three or four times this summer. 

First of all, this summer has simply been like none other since we have moved here. 

(If you don't believe me, you would if you could see all the brown grass!!)

It have been beautiful and HOT with very little rain. You can imagine how thankful I am!! 

Well, back to the beach, it has been one of the first times the kids have

been able to really swim outdoors since we have moved here. What a treat it was!! 

(pic by Rene)

(pic by Rene)

This particular Sunday was Num Num's 70th birthday!! She and Papa got to come down our way

to celebrate with us while John and Heidi were here. It was a special day. Auntie Tricia

is not present in these pictures because she had the opportunity to take a grand

trip to EUROPE!! 

(pic by Rene)

And then at the close of our summer, my dear parents came for a week. It too was a very lovely

visit. They came at a very opportune time and were able to really help me with carting

kids around to various activities. I got away for two days with some friends and mom and dad

ventured out alone both days with the 5 kids. I was so proud of them! 

I think at the end of every day they were exhausted, but some sweet memories were made. 

I only wish they could stay to cart kids around all year as it appears that the

term "taxi mom" is going to be my new title :) 

My mom has such a heart for sharing the gospel .... and she is a kid magnet. 

This is only a small portion of the neighborhood kids that hung out with us while

they were here. She even threw a little "watermelon party". 

I love how she ties strings with my kids and invests in them for eternity. 

And to top off their trip, we got to go to Num Num and Papa's. 

I still can't believe after so many years of marriage that this is our reality!! 

... BOTH sets of parents together in ONE place, visiting on the porch, 

sharing a meal and coffee together. 

We are so very thankful!!