Shane Turns 7 - Here we go!

Look at this sweet boy - and its TRUE - he is a sweet boy - through and through - right now he is going through a bit of a demanding stage and not remembering the sweetness - so I choose to start with this darling photo!

Its Friday Sept 30 so he gets to start his birthday a little early - Friday was a 1/2 day at school, (in his honor almost!!)  So I went in to read a book to his class and donate it for their 'unbirthday' celebration at the end of the year (where they exchange books instead of eat treats!  Amen to THAT!)  We read a few chapters of the Kingdom of Wrenly - his favorite series right now.

Loved seeing the simple gesture of "Happy Birthday Shane" on the board

Mrs Santanella is such a sweet teacher and so mild mannered for the kiddos - its almost relaxing just being in her presence.  Hope she has the same effect on all her 2nd graders!  Her treat on their birthday is coming up in front of class and she moves the birthday boys arms while the class sings to him!  Shane was the perfect candidate!

Next I grabbed 5 more boys and stuffed them all in the mini van - honestly I think that was the highlight of their afternoon!  Everyone together in one car - I even let them run the DVD player for 5 minutes of Rio 2 - 

They all busted out of the mini and headed for the back yard loving all things boy - zipline, trampoline, swing set - I didn't even bother trying to corral them at this point as I figured they needed to 'run it out' and it worked.  Within about 30 minutes it was time for an organized soccer game - I was on one side and Chris on the other.  

Little soccer video

https://youtu.be/a-KMPgDI1-k

We were able to get in a good 30 minutes of playing soccer before it started raining!  Perfect timing!  Now it was time to head downstairs for the tournament play were the boys paired up to play air hockey, fuss ball, basket ball, turtle racing or Wii bowling

Great photo of the 'under construction' aspect of the basement.

Basketball was the biggest hit and Luciano couldn't get enough!

Now for cake with this sweet guy - He LOVED being surrounded by his friends for HIM and he loved that mini SODA he is about to crack into

Yes, I made this cake - I am NOT a good baker, but wanted to try my hat at this one - its 2 layers of chocolate cake separated by 2 layers of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream covered in cool whip and magic shell chocolate.  YUM!  A few of the kids said it was the best one ever!  Music to my ears (that was before the comment about our small TV and no, not the one in the mini van!  Ha!)

Now Shane had to wait til Sunday to really celebrate his family birthday - So here we are - grabbing Chicken fried Rice at his favorite place!  Love that my folks can be a part of it too

This I want to remember about Shane this year - I swear he grew 6"  He is almost caught up to Nick.  Wearing about the same size (shoes and all). He has a caring heart for al things animal (and friends) he is super sweet to his friends and chatty too - still the cuddlest thing.  Fear the doc a bit more now (after staples and a busted knee, can't blame him) has only lost a few teeth on the bottom (still excited to see those top 2 go!) - Very driven kiddo when he wants to be!  love this guy!

Here we are at home opening gifts - glad I caught Chris with such a natural smile on his face

Just a few of his favorites

some reading material

Nick video taped the final gift!

This is something I have my reservations about - he loves it, but I have a feeling it may spend more time in the shop than that awesome razor big wheel his received from his Aunt and Uncle and Grandparents!

https://youtu.be/1zZChdvpApw

The Egg wait is over!

September 11!!  Whoot Whoot!  We were in the Vineyard when Barbara sent us the message.  Nick discovered the first egg!  She said she could hear in all the way from the back yard.  He saved it for us to eat.

Yeah!!

This is often my view when working at my desk - not allowed to let them in...

Martha's Vineyard

It all started with a birthday - and a challenge - could we race a triathlon - could we find someone to stay with the kiddos for the weekend??  could we complete a garage de-model to a place that will allow us to leave.  

Challenge accepted!

We are SO grateful and thankful to have the Leadbetters drive up to watch the kiddos for the weekend.  Love how young it makes them feel - love how they play with the boys and how much the boys love it.

Thank you Thank you!!

We we BARELY made the 3pm ferry - BARELY - I mean we parked at the ferry, we sprinted to tickets - granted its how we normally travel - but it surely got my heart rate going.  Yes, there were other ferries, but we wanted to get this weekend started!!

Here we are FINALLY on the ferry and enjoying beers!

We got in with enough time to bring bags in and head out to Menemsha for dinner and a BEAUTIFUL sunset.  There is something about rolling off the ferry and linking up with the Griffins that makes me feel like I have been swept off my feet.  They have it all figured out and we are rolling!  Love love love that they were excited to host us all

Next to us was a super fun group that looked like they were having a blast.  I even asked one of them to take our photo and we sweetly did so minutes before this proposal!!  

BEAUTIFUL!  She said yes!

beautiful evening just to sit and soak it all in

My sister and Jason arrived later that evening as they too rushed to the ferry - wonderful to be all together (and without kiddos!)

The morning these two got to walk the streets (without kiddos!)

and we got to cycle together without kiddos!

next we hit Edgartown to grab race packets and enjoy lunch together before the boys went golfing.  Little did we know it was kite day - perfect day for it!

Loved our schedule for the day

Later that afternoon it got a little cloudy, we sent the boys golfing and WE went to the beach to read

Chilly, but quiet and peaceful

Saturday is Stacie and Jason's Anniversary - Happy Anniversary as we all chat about what a beautiful wedding we all enjoyed!  Beautiful couple to celebrate

After a little reluctant gaming...which was fun right??!?!?!  Yes, yes it was!  Great group shot!

not much drinking for us that night - why??  We don't want to drown - the triathlon starts at 9 -  perfect!  not an early morning, time to get ready - time to eat - time to chat with folks - time to take photos!  Chris and I loved doing the winding trails triathlon series - we took the month of August off to travel and host and prep for Maine - 

Fingers crossed - here we go - thanks to Rebecca for the wetsuit!  I hear its supposed to help keep you above water - (not strangle your neck - which is what I kept thinking of.)

The boys start first!  Chris's least favorite leg of the triathlon - Ocean water too!  Eek

Ladies are next!  My first ocean one too - I will admit, it had me a bit frightened at the beginning, everyone so close, the waves, the sound...  Once you get in a rhythm it evens out, but sometimes that take a while.

We made it!

Chris is off and running (his favorite part!)

Takes me a bit longer - 

After every one of these races we are THANKFUL to have done it - love being surrounded by other racers of every ability level.  Love completing it - love the scenery.  Races like this really are awesome!

Now to shower up (in the most amazing outdoor shower!) and head out to lunch at the News!

Thankful I snapped a photo of the best Hosts around - 

Post race beer flight

love getting my dad to pose for photos

Obligatory push him in photo

Snapped this one for Barbara - 

One cocktail surely deserves another!

Our weekend was BEAUTIFUL right up until the very end.  Even our ferry home felt like a romantic cruise with sunsets like this.

Amazing that we can escape like that for a weekend with family - to such a beautiful home - The Griffin really are part of our family.  I love that they were able to host all of us for such a beautiful weekend.  I am thankful my folks made the emphasis and really wanted us all out there.  They helped with so many logistics (bike transportation!!) and delicious meals (can never have too much lobster!).  Stacie and Jason who are in the throws of a tremendous remodel at their apartment made it happen too.  When it comes down to it - time together it the true memory!

Progress

This is QUITE a process and often times I just don't know where to start - LOTS of sheet rock, plenty of insulation.  There are garage doors and that is the important part right?  Keep plugging away.  Friday night and this is what Chris is doing.

Just a few things in the dumpster (even a bit from our neighbor - funny story - now!)  I had to take a photo of this carpet as I will never forget that Chris purchased it from Urban Outfitters in London - yup, grabbed it and flew back to Germany with it - we loved it to Missouri, Texas, Germany, VA, and now its finally time to say goodbye to this little souvenir - not many people buy carpets on their travels.

Now THIS was impressive.  The fact that Chris and Linas tackled it solo.  Removed the oil tank, cut it in half, burned the oil (almost setting the yard on fire) and got rid of it!

After a week like that - we all needed a beer - Thanks Drew for pouring =)!

This was from an awesome BBQ at the Asmars Labor day weekend.  Absolutely beautiful afternoon with friends and plenty of delicious food!  Even ran into an old high school buddy there!  Totally forgot to snap a photo....  at least I have the memory (for now!)  Great to see you Lisa!