This Summer Part 1

Wow, I can hardly believe this Summer break is going to end in 19 days for me when Bella goes to 1st grade.  (boo hoo)  I realized this weekend what a completely slacker I've been about blogging when I looked at the year's past and saw the number of entries.  I also realized that I MUST do better as this is the journal/history of our little one's lives and I don't want to miss a thing.

Last weekend at the lake house I started reading old stories to them on here from years ago and it was mesmerizing and delightful for them.  It was a great reminder to keep this up.  I need to less instagramming and more blogging, but the Instagram is so easy.  I wouldn't even be on there if not for my darling niece, Joy, who signed me up when they were here in July.

Since I have been such a slacker I decided to do several posts of Summer '13 so we can preserve the memories on here.

The highlight of our Summer has most certainly been the lake house.  We have had lots of family and friend time there, having people over nearly every Saturday to enjoy it with us.  Our meal of choice has been baked potatoes, grilled filet mignon and caprese salad -- for dessert?  S'mores, over the fire pit on the bottom deck, definitely a winner with everyone.

To kick off the Summer my family came down for the girls' graduation and brought their cousin Collin.  It was the first time, really, the young ones were old enough to enjoy each other and they played non-stop.  I, also, truly cherished getting to know Collin better, he is an absolute joy.

Next, my amazing parents took the girls back to NC for a visit.  While they were in NC there was a lot of pool time and Nutella time for them, needless to say they were in their element.  Lance and I stayed here and he worked and I completed several projects that had been waiting for months on me to organize here at home.  On the weekend we had a relaxing visit from my dear friend, Jenny.  We spent a lot of time on the boat and shopping at our favorite outlet mall, I only go there once per year when she is here, it's a special treat.

I was DESPERATELY missing my little ladies after they were gone for over a week and was beyond excited to fly in to NC to see them again.  I spent a few days there with family and we then began the caravan back to the NE.  We stopped in Hershey, PA for a few nights to experience all that is Hershey.  

This was my brother's first visit to CT since we moved here so I was thrilled to show him our "new" home and also the area where we live.   He went grocery shopping with me and helped us grill out the entire time, he is definitely the grill master!  It was an special treat to have him visit, he's such a grump about driving on 95!  After a few days in Greenwich, we headed North to the lake house and enjoyed lots of family time on Candlewood Lake.  Bella LOVED having her older cousins to ride the tube with her, she is fearless on the water so we have to be extra careful with her.  I must say I relieved no one insisted on going to NYC, it was so hot and humid, and NYC is just gross in those conditions.

 We also had semi-professional pictures made while we were all together.  They were adorable of the kids and Jamie and Stephanie's family pictures turned out beautifully.  I wasn't a big fan of any of our pictures, but do like the one of the entire family, merely because we are all together.  Of course, Stephanie looked like a model in all of them, GRRRRR.  It was STEAMING HOT, poor Lance was sweating horribly, yet he remained somewhat pleasant and we were able to get some cute shots.

MY FAVORITE! I have this framed in the girls' room

Lyla was not happy and it pretty much showed in every picture

Bella LOVED their little dog, Gizmo, and played with him non-stop.  We're thinking the girls might have a puppy in a box for Christmas this year, but haven't decided 100% yet.  When they were leaving there were lots of tears and hugs, mainly Bella crying over Gizmo leaving and Lyla crying over Joy leaving. 

Stephanie made this awesome picture collage after they left.  

One thing I've realized more than ever this Summer is how blessed Lance and I are to have our families and those special friends that feel like family.  It's been a Summer of learning and growing for me in friendship and it made it even more clear to me how blessed we are to have those few friends and family that love us unconditionally.  We certainly aren't perfect, but we love each other through our imperfections, and let me tell you, that is something rare and PRICELESS.   I'm so thankful for our families and am looking forward to having the rest of our family here this month and next.