September

I started the month of September with a trip to Tennessee.  I got to spend the night with dear friends before meeting up with my mom and others for the Sing conference!

Mom was at the conference, as were dear friends from Oklahoma and another musician from our church in Maryland (not pictured with us).  It was a wonderful conference of singing and teaching and encouragement from conversation and fellowship.  I'm always grateful to go!

While I was away, Gretchen started her 10th grade year.  A Sophomore!

My friend treated the girls to a first-day-back drink on the way to school.

Ryan's reserve duty assignment puts him close to family and friends in Oklahoma.  He was able to meet up with this great group of guys for a night.  They've all been friends since youth group days from high school! 

Thanks to VetTix, Bridgette and I went to the WNBA Fever vs. Mystics game.  Bridgette insisted that we get there early enough to try and get an autograph.  We were all skeptical, but I had the time so we headed out early.  She read up on where to go to ensure she had the best chance of an autograph.  A kind grandma and girl let her squeeze in next to them down along the railing.

And sure enough . . . Caitlin Clark came right along the railing to sign autographs!

But she passed Bridgette without signing the sweatshirt Bridgette had brought.  As she moved on to the next few people, Bridgette yelled her name and asked her to come back . . . and she did!!

Signing Bridgette's sweatshirt . . .

Such a FUN experience!!

Bridgette's first day of 8th grade at our homeschool co-op.  The last year we'll have a middle school student.

Rooke and I went for a college visit.  The basketball coach has been recruiting Rooke, and we were glad for an overnight visit to see the campus and meet the team.  Who knows where the Lord will guide Rooke for school next year?!  But I wouldn't be sad if it was to this special place.

Homemade noodles and my wonky noodle drying contraption - ha!

Gretchen got her permit!!  She's eager to learn how to drive and  is convinced that she'll be better than her brother =)

Bridgette has been asking for a while to PLEASE play on a club basketball team.  The time has finally come!  She joined an AAU team with the same organization that Rooke played for and is loving more time in the gym, playing basketball, working with her coaches, and getting to know her teammates.   She was even voted player-of-the-month for the middle school girls!

August

August was a full, fun month for us with lots of family and friend connections! 

We didn't go on a proper vacation this summer, but we did enjoy a few shorter trips close by.  Our last get away was a couple nights in Luray.  A family hike is always my favorite.

Callie is a dear friend to both Ryan and I from our days at OBU.  She and her family now live in Zambia, so it was a rare treat to get to see her as they made a stop in DC on their way back home.  The visit was also timed with the arrival of a special book: another dear friend from OBU published a beautiful book about their family's travels around the world - check it out here!  

KayeK came for a visit!  It'd been too long since she'd stayed with us and we were grateful to have her around for a few days.  

No, I did not edit this photo in any way =)  As big as he is, Rooke still cherishes his Kaye K

Mom and I attended an evening concert at the US Capitol.  The Army band performed a fantastic program, the weather was perfect, and Mom was the perfect person to appreciate the music with me!

An afternoon at the movies to celebrate our friend's birthday and to laugh out loud at the most recent Freaky Friday flick - it was funnier than we thought it would be =)

More fun birthday shenanigans with Bridgette's friends

Gretchen got to spend a couple nights at a lake house with friends!  She got to ride jet skis and go tubing

Jessie and I got to spend a few days together - what a gift!  Incredible weather, non-stop talking, yummy food, hiking and kayaking and walking . . . such an encouragement for me.

As if my heart wasn't bursting already from time with special friends, Kenan and her two oldest girls came to stay with us for a couple nights.  Kenan and I met our freshman year at OBU and have stayed close ever since.  Having her in our home with her two girls was wonderful and even more fun to see our four girls enjoy getting to know each other.  

We did a full day in DC, including a visit to the old post office clock tower (a first for us), and we were the first visitors that day to step in to the rotunda at the National Archives - a pretty cool experience!

Uncle Steve hooked us up with his trolley tour - the best!!

Our last night, we did a Trader Joe's run, brought home a bunch of fun snacks, and stayed up late talking about all the things and giggling about boys =)

July

This photo technically isn't from July, but I came across it in July =)

Rooke's school schedules community service hours during the school day for the Junior and Senior students.  Rooke helped at a local garden and thoroughly enjoyed it.  The food grown is distributed to local food banks and shelters to help with food insecurity in the area.

We had a great time celebrating the Fourth of July this year!  The girls and I took a picnic to the dress rehearsal of the PBS production, A Capitol Fourth.  Going on the 3rd is actually fantastic: you get all the same performers with WAY less traffic and crowds and lines and security.  It was a beautiful night to be outside!

Heading towards security and entrance with NO lines!  This space would be packed with people on the actual 4th.

One of the performers for the concert was Lauren Daigle, an artist we enjoy!  During her final song, the girls ran to the front to stand near the stage.  On her way off stage, Lauren walked by the girls and was so kind to briefly interact with them.  Bridgette asked for a quick photo all together!!  

Getting ready for time with friends on the actual 4th.  Gretchen and I made our traditional American flag poke cake.

Silly friends and the festive desserts for our hangout

After dinner and hanging out, the adults spontaneously decided to jet down to the Hill to see the fireworks.  Our view wasn't awesome, but we laughed and still had a great time together.   

Fun selfies I find on my phone!

Rooke is still playing in tournaments!  Three more this month: two were back-to-back at the same facility.  Ryan and I tag-teamed for those two tournaments.

With so many consecutive days, I spent some time in the local laundromat!

These fun friends were awesome helpers for our church's VBS!  It's always a blast to help lead VBS and I love that the girls are growing up with the opportunity to serve and lead in this way.  

Saturday morning breakfast.  Still my favorite family meal.

Rooke's final basketball tournament!  We made it a family trip.  He'll play again in the school season, Lord willing, but this was the final tournament for his club team and we had a great time watching games and exploring Atlantic City a little bit.

The girls and I made it to the beach between games!

Making the most of our pool on a hot summer day