Summer 2015 Wrap-up

It's Labor Day weekend, the unofficial end of summer!  It was a fun filled summer, with many trips and special outings with friends.  As I was scrolling through my phone, I realized I have a bunch of pictures and no blog posts.  So here is my dump of cell phone videos and pictures from the summer, along with links to the things I blogged about after the fact.

June

Mommy-only trip to Beaufort, SC

Summer School

Frederick Road Fridays- Every Friday in the summer, Catonsville has this event.  It's a family friendly event featuring a different band each week, food vendors, and various kids activities.  We go for about 1.5 hours: get pizza, dance a little, have a huge cookie, chase after kids, then head home.  Each year it gets a little more enjoyable based on our kids' ages.

The first and last time Lisa and I took 4 kids without dads
to FRF.  This was probably the only time they were all together
for more than 2 minutes

He insists on carrying his chair.

That same time we thought it would be a good idea to go with 6
kids and 3 moms.  Dads came every other time after that...

Ocean City, NJ (duh!) post 1 post 2 post 3  post 4.  

July

Our BFFs move to PA- definitely biggest low-light of the summer.  If anyone plans to move in the next year, please consider being my closest friend.  I seem to attract girlfriends that high tail it out of the area as soon as we become close.  Liz leaving rocked my world.  I cried in the fetal position for 2 hours straight the night she told me.  Heart wrenching.  Yes, she's only 55 minutes away, but she was my go-to girl for everything.  I hate thinking about my life without her in Catonsville.  We make every effort to get together at least once every two weeks.  I mean, how can you break up this cuteness?  Even our kids are best buds.  (or I like to think they are since we are always together)

Walking to get ice cream

Eating ice cream... two different trips.
Love those $1 IKEA cones

Evie's first time at VBS

Chincoteague Post 1, Post 2, Post 3

August

Trip to see the Wik family.  The Wiks planned a fun filled weekend for us.  We went into Center City, Philadelphia, played in the backyard on the play "structure", rode bikes, drove around in the Mustang, and went on the slip-n-slide.

Dads walking the kids to the train station for a ride
into the big city!

Kids discovery garden

The source of smiles, tears, laugher, and tantrums

Some Mickey Mouse to wind down after a busy day playing

The dads got really into the slip n slide.

Howard County Fair-

Evie looks in her element

Ice cream for lunch

And we did other summer quick trips like pick flowers at the farm, swim at Roger Carter pool, and the zoo.

Learning how to sun bathe like Daddio

and we did some dog sitting

Picking up Abby dog!

Easiest dog sitting gig out there. 

It was such a fun summer filled with trips, friends, and lots of trips in the van(s).  It's time for some routine in our day though.  Preschool, gymnastics, MOPS, and tutoring all start up again.  I love fall; it feels like a new beginning.  Bring it on!

VBS 2015: Everest

The church we now attend (and love!!), Crossraods, orchestrates an enormous VBS each year.  It is well known in the community, bringing in almost 400 kids!  I first heard about it through MOPS and couldn't wait for Evie to be old enough to attend.

A glimpse of the scale of VBS at Crossroads

This year was the year!  I am thankful I was able to sign Evie up with her best friend from preschool, Zachary, because that size of crowd is intimidating; she had one familiar face in her little "crew".

Evie's big friend looking after her

Nothing but love for these two

I think Evie spent most of her time looking like this

One of her crew guides, Grace

She's 4, a young 4.  Grace sent me pictures to prove it wasn't all thumb sucking

Get these two a room!

Evie told me she loved "the gym part" at the end of every day.  The music is quite catchy.  Parents are invited to the gym portion at the end.  3/5 days Evie was being held and sucking her thumb, BUT(!) I did witness the day she stood and did a few hip shakes and arm movements.

The VBS CD blared in the van all week.  Evie showed me her true self in the van :)

No matter Evie's participation level, I am pleased she was able to tell me each day the message of the day.  God has the power to heal, comfort, provide, forgive, and love us forever; God is so powerful!

And clearly she was quite cozy with Zachary.  Preschool love.

Already counting down to VBS 2016!

Summery September

As summer unofficially came to a close Labor Day weekend, the heat and humidity made a return this weekend after being pretty obsolete all of August.  We almost didn't know what to do with temperatures in the 90's.  Luckily, through word of mouth, I discovered a gorgeous indoor pool just 5 minutes away that has an outdoor feel.  I've been with the kids a few times with other moms, but this was Dadio's first time with us.

Braylen has no fear of the water; he has no problem submerging his face.  Thank goodness for "puddle jumpers" or this kid would be even more of a handful at the pool.  He was thrilled to have Dadio with us, because let's be honest, I go to the pool to socialize with my friends, not play with the kids.  Dadio is much more fun at the pool.  He is also tall enough to stand in the 5 foot area of the pool.

Braylen belly flopped nonstop for 15 minutes.  He was very sad to leave

We were excited to run into our friends, the Fry's, at Roger Carter Center.  Bethany and I were happy to serve snacks while the kids jump into the pool with the dads.

As you will see in the next video, Roger Carter Center has this great zero entry pool area that is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.  That's normally where I hang out with the kids.  It is perfect for dumping water in cups, running (not encouraged by mommy) down the ramp, and a little bit of swimming.

The best part of Roger Carter Center pool is it is indoor, so no sunscreen needs applied.  However, the roof is glass and retracts so there is a feel of being outdoors.  The doors also open up to a splash pad and large area with lounge chairs (for those lucky enough to actually lounge at the pool).  I absolutely love this pool!

The best shot I could get of the kids

If it's going to be hot in September, I am glad we know of a pool open year round to keep us cool!

10th Annual BBQ

Jason and I met in the marching band in college.  Yes, in band camp.   Make all the jokes and remarks you want (thank you American Pie), but band was a huge part of my life, and honestly, it still is.  Most of my good friends from college I met in the band and duh, my husband too!  Thanks to Facebook and an annual party thrown by fellow band members, Bob and Nikki, I view these friends as lifelong ones.

The majority of us graduated from Shippensburg University in 2003.  Nikki and Bob (who also married as a result of meeting at band camp) hosted their first backyard, "rockin' deckin' BBQ" in August 2005 at their house in College Park, MD.  It started off as a small gathering of SHIP band alums.  The majority of us were new teachers, sharing war stories and belly aching over the upcoming school year.  We partied like we were still in college:  beer pong, flip cup, and karaoke.  Marriages between college sweethearts were happening and there was only 1 baby at the time, Rachel's.  

Jessie always drove down from PA to my house and we went together.  We liked to guess who would be engaged or pregnant... and talk about other things ; )  

2006
Parker was just a puppy at this point, so he traveled with us
to this party.

So young, so full of life!

2007

2007 was probably my favorite year.  All 6 of my sophomore year roommates were there.  It was so awesome to have Amy come in from NC to see all of us!

The Seavers Roommates (plus Rachel :) )
The coordinating green and pink make me laugh

Slowly, babies started being born....

2008
Eliana joins the crew!

2008
For the most part, the same people.  We're up to 2 babies at this point

2011 was the first party we did not attend.  Poor Evie was at KKI at that point learning how to eat!

Suddenly, in 2012, the SHIP crew looks like this

Holy baby boom!

Nikki and Bob moved to PA and now have a huge backyard to accommodate our growing group.  This picture above made the SHIP alumni magazine; it must have been the SHIP banner.

Evie makes it to her first party!
Teagan is about 3 weeks younger than her

Rachel, who started off as the only one with kids
for what feels like a long time, now has 3 kids!

This party was especially fun because 6 of us were pregnant and due within about 6 months of each other

2012
In order by due date.  Nikki in Sept to Shauna in March

two years later....

Here we are with toddlers!
2014

Our babies had different plans for us, so here we are in order of oldest to youngest....

3 boys then 3 girls

The majority of us have two kids at this point.  Look at the group now!

10th Annual- 2014

I don't think I said more than three complete sentences to one friend there.  I don't know if anyone changed jobs or moved.  I just know we are all busy parents, happy to be drinking beer and chasing after kids together.  

My girls- Jessie and Rachel

Going a little crazy being stuck inside due to heavy rain
Yes, Evie is lifting up her shirt.
I guess we still party like we are in college.  LOL

"Who's organizing the group picture?"

The kids dancing to "In Heaven There is No Beer..."
Look at Ava!  She is now almost 11 years old and
probably taller than me!

Braylen found a buddy 

I am so, so thankful for Bob and Nikki opening up their home to all of us every August.  Life is busy and we live about 2-3 hours from the majority of the SHIP band crew.  It's so nice to see each other once a year.  Instead of crazy college- like parties, we are now crazy parents