2 Peas in a Pod

Longwood Gardens

Last Monday we took the kids and enjoyed a day at Longwood.  It is so gorgeous there.  I am loving this fall weather.

OC NJ

This past week the pastoral team and us wives went on our annual retreat.  We had a great time together, Steve and I are so fortunate to work with such great folks.  Lots of laughs, tears, and fun.
This year we stayed at a B&B in Ocean City, New Jersey.  It's really a beautiful town.  I was thrilled to have one more stop at the beach before fall.
I took my camera but barely took any photos.  I really wanted a group shot, and every time I would try someone was feeding a baby, getting their purse, or out for a jog or something.  Oh, well.  Next year.
I did take a shot of the water and a shot of the 2 babies that came along.  They are adorable.

Leftovers

I have had a whole batch of random photos from the summer that I have been wanting to post and am finally getting around to it.
Claudia had her ballet recital back in June.  I think these recitals are the highlight of her life, she has so much fun!!

Younger sisters hanging out

My sweet niece waiting so patiently to give Claudia her flowers

Our mother/daughter group at church had an end-of-the-year swim party

Claudia and Greta baking together.  Look carefully, you can tell that Claudia did Greta's hair!!

This summer, my cousin Shannon's hubby asked me to do some photos for him.  He is a speaker, has his own website and needed a new look.  I was pretty nervous, I am not used to taking pics of grown men, trying to get them to look all cool.  I'm used to chasing around my kids or posing my girls to look cute.  Macho photography was a new category for me!!  Quay is such a riot, we had fun together.  Here is my fav shot of the night.

Claudia snapped these

My girls and their friends playing "tiny treats"

One last thing we had to do for inspection of the house was to the drywall the garage ceiling.  Steve invited the other pastors and their families over for a "work party".  The men worked hard and the kids had fun playing together.  The older ones put on skit for us.  Very cute.

My poor Greta got no attention from me that day, I was so busy cooking and getting ready.  This was what she looked like after lunch...face covered in popsicle and diaper sagging to her toes.

I am in love with this new piece of furniture in my house.  My dad salvaged this shelf off of a job and I painted it and bought some baskets for it for the girls school stuff.  Yes, that crazy patio door is now finally painted, though not in this pic!

Shh... don't tell my husband...

but I think we have a pet.  There has been this cat that has been hanging around our house for about a week now.  Not sure I can express the distain that Steve has for cats.  I think it is funny that this cat is hanging around, he does not.  I have respected his wishes and have not fed it, but for whatever reason the cat still comes and seems to enjoy the garage.  I think that is even funnier b/c the garage is kind of new "holy ground" for Steve.
The cat did not seem to enjoy my camera, he/she was a bit skittish.

DW

Thanks to my mom and her work, we got some free tickets to spend an evening at Dutch Wonderland.  It rained half the time we were there, but we still had lots of fun.

You gotta love all of Steve's motivational t-shirts leftover from coaching football back in WI.  I love this sweet interaction between the 2 of them.

During the downpour we took shelter under a tent that was doing a super cheesy Thomas the Train show.  Claudia's face was funny to me, she seemed to be really enjoying it! 

Such a good dad.  He could hardly fit his legs in the back of this crazy ride.

What kid doesn't love the frog jumper??

The Island

Months ago, Steve put the finishing touches on the island in the kitchen.  It is safe to say that it is now the "hub" of the house.  The other morning in the middle of making breakfast I realized the chaos that was going on in just that one place.  Look carefully to see if you can spot the following:
laptop remaining from yesterday's school work
purse that should be in the closet
fabric swatches for potential curtains
2 year old affectionately biting brother's head
homemade blueberry pancakes cookin'
materials from Lowes for putting up my backsplash
5 lb. weights (yes, I'm workin' out!!)
Boxcar Children book
Spongebob jammies  (don't ask me why my children own spongebob jammies)
ipod and headphones