June

 

After-dinner walks rarely include our tallest family member, so it feels like a treat when he's around and able to join us

Bridgette loved getting together with some of her friends from Unitas - much fun was had, including decorating cupcakes =)

For the past five summers, we've been fortunate to connect with a friend who is able to purchase farm fresh blueberries in bulk - they are delicious . . . and HUGE!

Happy Father's Day to Ryan, the fearless leader of our Bunch of Paynes

Instead of sending the kids to various summer camps this year, we asked grandparents if they would host "Oklahoma Camp" =)  The kids flew together to spend a full week with the many wonderful family living in Oklahoma.  They started in Norman with the Martin side, then spent the rest of the week with the Paynes.  What a gift it is to have extended family willing to host our kids, love on them, and create special memories with them.

Bridgette offered a hilarious summary of what it would be like for the kids to travel together:

"Rooke looks like he's in charge so people won't mess with us.  Gretchen is responsible, organized, and actually in charge so we'll be fine.  I'm willing to talk to anyone, so I'll get help if we need it."

Getting ready to board . . . this photo cracks me up, as it captures the reality of my kids:

Rooke - please stop taking photos.  This isn't a big deal.  I've got the boarding passes on my phone.  

Bridgette - extroverted, sporty, uninhibited in her excitement for the trip

Gretchen - happy, chill, put together, amused by her sister until it looks like things might get embarrassing and then drama ensues

Proof of life on the receiving end

Taking a campus tour of our alma mater, OBU - maybe one of our kids will go there?!

Drive-in movie!

Rooke got to join Big Daddy and "the boys" for lunch

Meanwhile, Ryan and I went on a long hike in Shenandoah National Park, only to get caught in an actual thunderstorm - ah!  We got soaked, ran a couple miles for a good workout, and were safe to laugh together afterwards.

Fun times with the Paynes at the OK Aquarium.  Rooke also got to play disc golf with Uncle Sean

The red heads came home together, while Bridgette got to stay a bit longer to enjoy a special "13-year-old trip" with KK, Big D, and Maisy

 I made Rooke and Gretchen help me finish the puzzle I'd started so we could clear off the kitchen table

Back to Norman for a few more days . . .

Sunday at First Baptist Church in Norman with Nana

Making tote bags

Learning how to make KK's special homemade noodles

KK planned a special tea lunch for these dear women to spend time with Bridgette and Maisy and encourage them as they move into official teenage years

There was quite a bit of drama in Bridgette getting home.  Moral of the story: don't fly as an unaccompanied minor with American Airlines and make sure Aunt Sara is around to bail you out at 6am!

She's home!  

September

September started with a very special visit!  The Bass family were dear friends when we lived in England.  Their daughter and Rooke were classmates, we lived in the same neighborhood, we went to the same church and were in small group together.  So man wonderful memories of life with the Bass's!  They were traveling in the U.S. and made time to share a meal with us.  It was a wonderful visit catching up and felt like we picked up right where we left off almost ten years ago.

Gretchen and Bridgette started back at Granite Classical Tutorial two days a week.  8th and 6th grades.

While in Oklahoma earlier in the summer, G Daddy taught Bridgette how to create with pour paint.  Then he generously sent her a set of paints to use on her own!

Bridgette taught the family how to use pour paint and we all made our own creations

Bridgette is still in crocheting.  She made this red hat and let me try it on

One of Ryan's favorite fall activities is to pick apples.  Gretchen was away with the youth group, but the rest of us spent our Saturday morning picking fruit and then making all the yummy apple things

Some of us lost interest in picking by the time we made it to the raspberry fields - ha!

On the way home we got a flat tire.  Life skill lesson coming right up!

We had our roof replaced.  Our neighbor offered to let us borrow his metal "rake" to collect the nails the roofers leave behind.  I told Bridgette I'd pay her 10 cents for every nail she finds.  I had no idea she would find over 80 nails!!  Worth every penny to have her preserve our shoes and feet!

Rooke and his buddy, Max, went to their school homecoming.  Lookin' sharp!

I spent two nights away with the women from our church at a ladies retreat.  The setting was beautiful and the sunsets were glorious!

Spontaneous shenanigans with our neighbor besties

Birthday dinner out for my friend, Leia

"Cheverly Day" is one of our favorite days of the year!  Bridgette got to test out the climbing wall this year.  It's fun to be with neighborhood friends, and the fireworks show at the end of the day is amazing!  I just try not to think about how many of our tax dollars they allocate to put on a show as long as they do - ha!

Checking on the carrots

Always in the gym

You know you've got great style with you match with beautiful Leia at church!

After dropping off the older kids at youth group, Bridgette and I took a walk and grabbed pizza for dinner.  It never gets old that this is where we get to live!