a nice Sunday

We had such a nice Sunday.  I had ward council in the morning before church so R had the children and they discussed what they wanted to fast for and started with a prayer.  I was also fasting but had a different purpose this month and was joining my councilors in a fast.  Anyway when my meeting was over I walked to the chapel and there was the family sitting reverently and happily and dressed properly (so I guess it was a good morning).  Hannah had done Lucy's hair and it was so nice to sit down and join them with no drama.
Testimony meeting was very nice, Sunday School was good and YW went just fine :)  After church I had BYD, so R took the kids home.  We had leftovers from Salsas so the two little ones had that for lunch (they only fast breakfast).  When I got home everyone was playing nicely together and R and I were able to go upstairs and take a nap.  Sweet!

In the late afternoon Hannah and I headed for the kitchen.  She made her famous sage and apple pork chops and I did the rest of the dinner ( cantaloupe, chocolate cake, Italian brussel sprouts, bread and pasta)  E helped set the table and R poured the water.  Sierra got home from work just after the missionaries arrived and we all sat down for dinner.  I have to say everything tasted great and we had a fun dinner.  The cantaloupe was sweet, the chops delicious and the sprouts had just the right crunch.  Almost everyone had 2 desserts.  There is something so yummy about a dinner after fasting.

Normally when the Elders come for dinner they eat and we have a short visit and then they leave.  Yesterday they had a bit more time I guess and they had a fun lesson for us.  We made paper airplanes and threw them off the deck (Ethans' flew the farthest), then came in and had a good gospel discussion.  They stayed for our family scripture reading, we have been working our way through the gospels and enjoyed reading about Christs miracles and sharing miracles we have had in our own lives. I really know that God is actively involved in our lives, it's just up to us to recognize His hand and the many blessings we receive.  Then we prayed together and R left with them to do some visiting and to take them home so they wouldn't have to bike in the rain. 

Lu got jammied up and we went down to the basement and took turns reading books to each other for about 45 minutes, then I tucked her into bed. 

After that I was ready to settle onto the couch for some NCIS, E and H joined me and we watched an episode or two while we waited for R to get home. 

What a nice day. 

beach party

 Today was the annual beach party on the town square.  We have gone every year since we moved here and it's always so fun!!  This year was not a disappointment.  There was fun music, lots of food, lots of people, cool cars and crafts and great games for everyone!

 It's so fun to watch all the people who come.  Little kids running around in the fire truck spray down, or crying over balloons that get away from them.  Dogs and their people walking around.  Families eating kettle corn or funnel cakes.  Old folks being pushed in wheelchairs by younger family members.  There were lots of pregnant bellies, fatties, kids and teens, and families.  Mr and Mrs Claus were there, spending their summer vacation in picturesque Leonardtown I suppose.  The mayor was out, as were police officers, bank tellers and teachers.  We said hi to lost of folks we know and some we didn't know.  It's a small town event at it's best.

 Sometimes we will go 6 - 9 months without going to the theater to see a movie, maybe even longer.  This summer we have been several times though, lots of fun summer movies out I guess.  There is still even one more I want to see :)  Last night R and I went out to  see Captain America.  It was a cartoon to movie style movie but completely entertaining and fun.  I can't wait for the Avengers to come out next summer.  In the meantime I guess I need to see Thor since I don't know anything about him.

We had a productive day.  R has a few days off, unusual, and he actually wanted to drive to Ohio to see his folks and go on a bike ride.  I reluctantly agreed.  I love to go to Ohio and to spend time with family, it was just going to be $$ and a long drive for a short visit.  In the end he decided it was too much as well and we stayed home and cleaned our garage! whoo hoo!!  Actually we were both pretty happy to get it done, and pleased with the results.  When we finished we took a load to the dump and swung by Brewsters for a reward.  We even had time to spend a couple hours at the pool with the kids before dinner.  I'd say that was a good day.

Today R is off on a 30 mile bike ride while we go to the store and then tonight we are going to the beach party on the square.

Dani and Greg had family pictures taken and they turned out sooo cute!  Look at this big girl! I love this picture!  She's almost 2 and is so precocious.  This just captures that little twinkle she has.

Rain

We took mom and dad back to the airport last night. I  have never been so sad to see them go.  We had a really nice visit and I will miss having them here.

We went to Ledo's so Sierra could be our server and then drove in the rain to DC.  We drove back in the rain and went straight to E's soccer practice, which was not cancelled just because of a little rain.  He loves soccer and is glad his break is over and a new season has started. 

Hannah went to her last activity days last night, her birthday is coming up and she will move up to the YW program.  She can hardly wait.  We have a fun little birthday party planned for her.  E went to cubs after and they felled a tree and dug up some shrugs, he thought that was fun. 

This morning it is raining and we are expecting a few days of rain, which is fine.  We have some cleaning up to do (always), a car to scour looking for Hannah's missing cell phone, some cub work to do( gotta get going on that bear award) and some projects that have been waiting.  I have a can of paint that needs applying, Hannah wants to sew something to enter into the fair, and we need to go to the college and figure out the swim team.  The kids are interested in joining and I need to know hours and $$.  Sometime in the next few weeks we need to gather school supplies, start piano for the girls and take Sierra to the airport.  R and I also have the fun project of evaluating our budget planned.  Good times.

i heart skype

 "look what I got Mimi, a new princess ballerina Ariel and Tiana"

 "my princesses can dance!"

"love you!!!"

FHE

 We got invited to go boating for FHE and we were so excited!  What a fun way to spend the evening.  Now, E was very upset when he found out.  He really wanted to go to street soccer and meet his new team.  That boy lives for soccer.  He complained and cried as if we were taking him to the dentist.  In the end he didn't even have to come with us because Papa, who isn't a water person, was just as happy to take him to soccer as go to the bay.  Perfect. 

So they went off to soccer and the rest of us went to the water.  We had so much fun!!  Even Lucy who was scared to try tubing loved it once she got on :)

I wanted to put a picture of R and H on but they were all blurry :(
Anyway, here is Amber, Lu and me.  So fun.

We ended the evening with some pizza at the Zawadas.  Thanks guys! We had a blast!

ice cream & crabs

Last night we had an "ice cream Sunday".  We invited several families over and had a really nice time visiting and eating ice cream.  The kids ran around and shot nerf guns and played ping pong, and the adults solved the problems of the world :)  It was a nice night, I feel very privileged to be able to have the opportunity to open our home to friends and fellowship with them.  It is a great comfort and peace to have friends nearby who believe the same as we do and live the way we do.

Last week we finally took Grandma out to eat some Maryland blue crabs.  This is a big pile, but we had a lot of people :)  It was yummy, as usual.