Summer Fun

We had a delightful, fun-filled summer! I've been working on making a list so I don't forget. :)

My kids are growing fast and our free summers are fleeting. I got a glimpse of this reality this summer as my oldest started volunteering at the library. Before long she will be working during the summer.

We had lots of things we had to do this summer, but we also fit in tons of activities that have been on Mom's list! Here are a few pictures:

impending storm at Solomon's Island

UVA

Liberty University

the dog we fostered, Azalea

my daughter turned 13 and was sent beautiful flowers from my sisters

my cousin married!!!

Here are some fun things we've done:

• kayaking several times
• fossil hunting (found teeth from 3 different sharks)
• went to Solomon's, MD and had excellent ice cream, key lime pie and toured the museum and light house (came home with more 'found' shark teeth!). Saw a wild otter swimming close by and picked wild apples to eat!
• spent a week at Massanutten and enjoyed grandparents being there for the first time
• toured a beautiful lavender farm and came home to plant a new variety
• planted a garden and have enjoyed the bounty
• went to the pool and enjoyed taking more than 20 guests 
• caught up with 2 old friends and was blessed with lunch and a long visit at each of their homes
• my son started fencing
• bought a new laptop in preparation for school and it is our first TOUCHSCREEN woo hoo!
• went to Fairview Beach finally and realized we don't need to go back
• looked at Aquia Harbor and saw 3 huge dead fish, stinky stink!
• on 7-11's free Slurpee day my oldest, a good friend, and I got Slurpees in THREE different states! It was a crazy and fun ride!
• I started volunteering with the humane society through puppy snuggling
• fostered a dog from the humane society for a week who killed one of our chickens
• visited Colonial Beach finally and went back numerous times!
• had a great time at the new Yoder's Country Market for lunch, shopping and animal visiting
• hiked the Canal Trail together as a family for the first time
• went fishing a few times with my son early in the summer
• spent a week in Ocean City
• learned about crabbing from a seasoned pro while on vacation
• husband and son caught 26 fish on the fishing trip they took! son saw a wild sea horse
• oldest daughter spent a week at camp and had a wonderful time
• walked around Bob Jones' campus and toured Greenville
• attended a bridal shower and wedding in MD for my sweet cousin
• attended a baby shower for my other sweet cousin
• was blessed with a successful 'Gotcha Day' shower for friends at church
• attended a sweet 4th of July party in PA at my sister's
• did an overnight trip to Lynchburg and Nellysford, VA to see friends of my daughters' and me
• drove around Liberty University's campus for the first time
• walked around UVA and stood in on a tour we happened upon 
• participated in a really great Bible study at my friend's church
• I rearranged the family room to create a sewing area for my middle girl and found a spot for her new 30 gallon fish tank
• bought a new puppy!! (see post below for a pic!)

my son's garden

I made pickles and relish from his bounty of cucumbers!

Colonial Beach fishing day

crane at Colonial Beach

the family room