Boston Break: Day 1

 Allen had a long week of travel in Boston and we were missing him, so we jumped in the car and drove up to join him.

Allen had meetings all day the first day we arrived, so we spent hours wandering Boston Common and the Public gardens.  

My darling ducklings.

 There is good reason Boston is my favorite city.

 Eden could not get enough of the ducks bums in the air.

Well, I mean,  none of us could, but she was probably the only one whose fascination was socially acceptable.

 They promptly slid in dog poo after this.

Winning.

 Ryder is officially too cool for carousels.

Dear Boston, you are beautiful and I love you.

Fun in Philadelphia

We are so excited to have another temple so close to home.

We had the opportunity to attend the Philadelphia Temple Open House, but did a little exploring first:

Love at The Liberty Bell

 Super awesome Independence Hall

 The temple was spectacular.  

Built to mimic the history surrounding it, this building was inspiring. 

 Such a beautiful day in a beautiful place celebrating the most beautiful and eternal blessings.  

I am so happy I was able to share it with my most beautiful little blessings.  

I loved their excitement, their understanding, their hope, and their goals.

And I also really loved that Eden would not stop kissing and hugging Christ.

Motherhood was worth it that day.

There is nothing better.

Lake Life

We spent every free moment of August at the lake.

End of season accomplishments:

Linley getting some great hops.

 Ryder getting real air.

 Tessa wakeboarding!!!!!

 Eden being adorable.

 And Allen not getting severely injured!!

Quite possibly our very best season yet.

 One Saturday we rented a party boat as well as a wakeboard boat with some friends and played all day long.

Perfect Saturday in picture form.

We're already looking forward to next season.  

Can't wait to see what skills the kids will master next!!

July iPhone Dump

The July in-betweeners:

Cutie pies!!

 Hotel in the middle-of-nowhere Virginia on our way to Tennessee.

 Road trip entertainment:

 Tessa during one of her {rainy} swim meets.

 Summer!!

 Where's Waldo/Ryder/Linley/Tessa.

Another super successful swim season in the books!!

So successful, in fact, that Ryder qualified for Championships in Freestyle and Breast Stroke!!

Studly man boy.

 Allen took the kids to the PGA Championships.

Maybe one of them will like golf???

Bless you July.  

You are a loyal bright spot year after year.

Bon Voyage Beach Boys

For our last hurrah before Grandma and Grandpa took the boys back to Georgia, 

we beached.

Saying goodbye was immensely bitter sweet.  Those three boys quickly became a part of our family, and we are so grateful for the month we had to love each of them like our own.

That said, four kids is a really great number.

Linley's Birthday Weekend

Linley had only request to ring in her arrival at double digits:

Getting her ears pierced.

She hated every second of it.  

But was ecstatic once the job was complete.

Beauty is pain, my child.

 Grandma and Grandpa came to celebrate her {and her lemon cake}.

Happy birthday Linley Brooke!!

You are such a remarkable little lady.