Neighborhood Picnic

Our neighborhood has their annual picnic each August.  We arrived just in time for last years and realized this is no small affair.  This year did not disappoint either.

Local band playing on our street

So, there is a professional clown that lives in our neighborhood and performs each year.  This was my favorite part last year and this.  The kids think he is hilarious, and he is.

Enjoying super yummy cake from the bakery in the neighborhood

First Day of School

Seth started kindergarten last week.  He has a wonderful teacher, a class of 11, and only goes from 9-12 each day.  It seems to be a great situation for us and him.  Vic is going two mornings a week also.  Max is home with me, taking short naps and eating lots.

 

A Cold Splash

We had one more chance to see our friends before they returned to Germany.  We decided to meet at a park with a splash pad for the kids to play.  It was rainy and cold, but the kids managed to have lots of fun anyway.  After a bit of the water, we found dry picnic tables under a huge bridge.  The kiddos enjoyed just being kids, running, laughing, playing, and eating.  Old friends are grace.

Luis and Seth

Vic freezing.

Summer Vacation?

Can you really vacation with three children?  At the end of July my mom and I headed to Alabama with the kiddos.  We stayed in Elba a few days and then Craig joined us once he was finished with school obligations.  Max is a terrible (I mean TERRIBLE) sleeper but a very good little traveler.  From Elba we traveled to Pensacola.  All was going well enough until I got strep throat, Seth got a cold and pink eye, and then we all got pink eye.  At that point, we just decided to end the travels and be miserable at our own home with our own doctors.  It was wonderful to see family and introduce Max while it lasted.  I am sorry for the Birmingham family that we couldn't enjoy our days there.  Thanks for all the TLC on our way through. 

I took very few photos unfortunately, but here are a few from our time down south.

With Max's great grandmother, Carolyn.  We didn't plan the yellow but it makes for pretty pictures.

My mom's brother is also Max.  He was always called "Little Max" by those who also knew my grandfather, Max sr.  I guess now we have a new "Little Max".  

Seth enjoying the pool

Vic on Pensacola Beach

We enjoyed an afternoon at the Naval Air Museum before the kids got sick.  I do wonder if this playground is where all our pink eye troubles began.

A vacation nap

Catching and re-catching tadpoles

The Latest Addition

Max isn't the newest addition to the family.  My cousin Amanda gave birth to Jase two days after... I think Max is about 2 pounds behind him now, though.   Jase is a cutie pie, and he knows how to sleep.  Oh, his lucky mama.  Max seriously needs some instruction in the sleep department. 

Cutie Cousins

Rubba-Dubba-Dub

A sweet moment in the kitchen.

Seth helping with Max's bath

A Joyful Surprise

We have dear, dear friends that just made a last minute trip home from overseas to visit family.  Fortunately for us their family is not too far from us.  This family has known Seth since birth and have been his best playmates ever since.  It was absolute delight for his little heart to see old friends!

Ana reading to Vic

Seth with Jeison and Luis

Jose and Max (my very fair, red-headed one)

Aunt Meg with Max