Friday, June 4, 2010

simple joys of summer

We have had such a wonderful summer so far! I made a conscious decision at the beginning of the summer to slow things down a bit this summer and enjoy the simple things: being with each other, reading, enjoying nature and being outside, learning about art, science and music, gardening, cooking and swimming. We have kept the extra-curricular activities to a minimum so we can slow down and enjoy being a family during this precious time. And this is also the reason that I have not blogged in awhile...but here are some pictures of what we have been up to:
...laughing with each other...
...watching Daddy mow the lawn...

...learning about artists and painting...


....helping each other....



...big smiles...


....lunch at our favorite spots-this is Nagoya's hibachi section...


....science experiments...


...eating ice cream...


...wearing pajamas all day....


...playing with Daddy....


...firefly hunting...


...taking care of our gardens and vermicomposter...


...and enjoying the fruits of our labor...


...playing Dukes of Hazzard -yes, the General Lee has changed a bit...


...stick collecting...


...smelling the flowers...


...cooling off in the sprinklers...




...and dancing to music dressed like Hannah Montana (brad loves that..haha!) I know that things are about to speed up as we get involved in Bible School, family trip, and Kanuga - and these are all really wonderful things that make special memories- but I have to say that slowing down and just enjoying each other as a family definitely ranks pretty high on my favorite summer activities list!

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Our new cousins are....

a boy.....
and a girl!!

I thought this picture of their little legs and feet was just TOO darling! We can't wait to meet you two!


I thought that this was really cute...Quinn from 2008 and Tyndale from 2010.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Family Vacation

We had a wonderful week on the beach in Gulf Shores. The weather was terrific, the food impeccable, and the company outstanding. Here are a few (million) pictures of our trip.











Quinn showed me the mussels that she caught and now she is showing me her muscles!


the boys looked like this for the majority of the vacation...kidding! but they do eat a ton!

green team...is it possible that they are ALL making the same face?







all the guys in a heated game of hearts...Big Daddy was victorious.


Quinn and Katy eat some boiled peanuts..yum!




that big smile that we all love...

We played a little Wii on vacation...

Brad and Big Daddy took Tyndale to the Naval Aviation Museum to see the Blue Angels and all the big planes...he loved it (and I think they did too)!







We were a lot concerned when these guys showed up with head-to-toe haz-mat gear...including helmets...to pick up the 'tar balls' that washed up on the beach. They assured us that everything was fine, and so we went on with the vacation - hope we don't regret that.

So I know it looks like Tyndale is picking his nose in this picture, but I thought it was a great picture of the boys anyway...boys will be boys!


The Boerners at our favorite restaurant, The Tin Top.


Quinn, Violet and Gimmie at the Tin Top

Katy and Michael at the Tin Top...beautiful couple!

Michael, Quinn and Brad at the Tin Top...we realized right after this picture that Quinn and Michael have the exact same eye color...lucky girl!

Big Daddy putting up the flag on the beach cabana.




This was a series of pictures of Brad and Tyndale, and Brad had his eyes closed in every one. Seriously....out of like ten....

Betsy and Gimmie-san preparing sushi.

Katy and the girls coloring pre-dinner.

...and much of the trip looked like this...haha!

Big Daddy and Tyndale saying good morning to the ocean.

A lot of the time on the beach looked just like this! Treasure hunters!


Quinn and her kite


Big Daddy and Gimmie with ALL the grandkids...I think this was the best shot out of about a million...haha!

All the kids in a super bath...fun! We had such a wonderful week and are thankful for an unbelievable family!