They swam, they biked, he ran...they conquered!

The "they" who were swimming were my sister Dawn and her daughter Caroline. The "they"
who were biking were my daughter Abigail, and her cousin Andrew. The "He" then would have to be none other than my husband Hall who took up the "hobby" of running this spring. (Are you noticing a lot with the "air quotes". Sorry.) No we are not on the Road to Iron Man but on the actual road to the Lake! The Family camp at the end of the lake has a mini triathlon to cap off their week. One week some tweens and olders (hope that phrase does not catch on!) participated. The mother/daughter team split up the swimming portion like pros. Next, Andrew jumped on the bike for a 2 mile ride around the lake. The hand off was smooth to Abigail who did it again for the team. Hall took it home with an effortless run. The toilet paper finish line was a nice touch! Nice job everyone!

We certainly have no more bang for our buck!

A week before preschool started, Grace went into the bathroom to wash her hands to prevent swine flu--or as Grace called it "Pig Flu". I was in the kitchen roasting up something exotic yet full of anti oxidants, etc . And when she returned from the hand cleansing, I noted that she also cleansed a bit of her hair with a scissors I had in a drawer by the sink (I know I know I know). It was a kind of reverse Mohawk--side pretty and long and the thick bangs snipped right at the prime of her little almost 4 year old life, right down the middle of her head. Right now I am the hair band police --thanks Karen, better get me some more!-- but soon we will need to work on some growth exercises like just tugging hard on them, or using so much hair gel to slick it and blend it in for a perpetual "just got out of the tub" look. Let's just say, that come picture day I will likely hear the words "Mom, why can't I take off my hat?" I may need a few pictures to hide, just in case the teen years are a little dicey!
-Courtney

Summer Lovin'

We had a great summer! The rain in the beginning of the summer (35 out of 40 days in May/June) slowed us down, but we certainly rebounded well! In June we travelled with the whole family to Disney to celebrate mom and dad's 50th anniversary! What an amazing trip! The kids and cousins had a blast and the adults fell under the spell of Disney magic as well! Grace was a total surprise loving all the roller coasters she could ride (she always had her hands up in the air like a pro)> Her personl best (and Mom's too) was riding the tea cups with Molly 4 times in a row! (Lucky for us there was no line!...read "I thought I would throw up!") A good time was had by all!

Another summer trip highlight was our annual trip to South Carolina. This was the first year that all four kids loved the water and sand! In the past it was hard with little ones with "scary waves" or eating sand or big ones not quite "deep end of the pool" ready. Donny and Abby are great swimmers. Molly is fearless and friendly! Two tough combos in a huge pool and beach full of strangers. More than once we left somewhere and had people and kids say "Bye Molly!" Grace has taken a hue turn for the better with water! She used to be terrified even when she was held. Now she is very happy in a life jacket and swims and jumps to her hearts content! The biggest first we had in our family this summer was Donny picking up a new sport! Surfing! Hang ten, dude!