highlights of summer

With Labor Day here, it's officially the end of summer...school is starting and our days of freedom and flexibility are behind us. It's been a fun and busy summer and I know I could never blog about everything that we've done. So, I'm doing one post and dumping all of our random summer pictures into it. Finally, I feel like I'm caught up on documenting these past three months.

Many trips to the park
Golfing at Bullwinkles for Brevin's 4th birthday

Splashing at the Wilsonville fountian

Brevin, Carter and Kennedy

Kennedy took off on her bike

Carter learned to cross the monkey bars and was somewhat obbessed

First of many trips to the zooKennedy started gymnastics

Swimming lessons for both kids - they did an awesome job!

Celebrating Mommy's birthday

Dear friends - Jackie, Jenny and Julie

My oldest friends who eventhough our lives have led us in different directions we can still talk for hours when we get together. We celebrated Jenny's upcoming wedding at a shower in July.

OMSI trip

Hiking at Beacon Rock with Daddy

The best friends anyone could ask for...Kirstin and Carrie treated me to tickets to the Avett Brothers concert for my birthday. We had the BEST time.

Never a shortage of laughter and smiles when we are together

My friend Jackie made a surprise visit home from Austrailia this summer and it was wonderful spending time with her and her family. Sienna (6), Carter (5), Kennedy (3) and Alessia (4) - Ava (almost 1) was missing from our picture.

Carter took golf lessons - man, can he strike the ball!

Berry picking on Sauvie's Island for Emery's 2nd birthday

Brevin and Carter picking raspberries

Lauren, Kennedy, Andrew and Carter at Oaks Park

Carter's strawberries that he planted on his farm field trip...they were delicious!

A night out with girlfriends

Eagle Crest 2011

We made our annual trip over to Central Oregon in mid-August and enjoyed a fabulous week with the Phelan family at Eagle Crest. Each year the kids have more and more fun - they were in perpetual motion and enjoyed all of the wonderful outdoor activities.

Our condo was right on the 7th hole, so the kiddos went out and practiced a bit.
Our morning hike down by the river - of course the boys had to play in the dirt and water!

The Crew
Notice Sloane in the background, just hanging out in her stroller. She was a trooper!

Boy did the kids love the pool this year. They couldn't get enough - they're little fishes!

Dad of the Year for braving that cold pool every day

Brady and I relaxing pool side

Uncle J and Miss K

Something was sure funny

Carter got to head out with the big boys and play a full 18 holes. He did great and only got bored towards the very end. Thankfully he was content to sit in the cart and play on dad's phone.

Our pretty girl

Morning trip to the park

There is no love lost between these two...not sure if it's because they are so close in age or just both have strong wills, but their arguments were hilarious. Intense and often unintelligible Hoping they move past this phase soon and learn to enjoy one another.

Bennett (almost 3), Sloane (3 months) & Kennedy (3)

Each year our group grows

These kids are too much.

I just love this picture as it captures their delight in the simple pleasure of being silly and playing outside.