On a Hot, Hot Day in July...

Today has been too hot to go outside, so we decided to make Gak...

This picture sums up what Carsten has felt like today... He is currently napping and we are hoping it will improve his mood!

A Muddy Day!

At our house...

This is the usual morning at our house... A little computer time while he eats and I clean the kitchen... Reese is usually still sleeping!

Water, water, water everywhere...

We went with Alicia to a water fountain/play area on Friday. The three kids just stood and watched for about ten minutes and then they were brave enough to jump in. It was a fountain that had timed spouts that sprayed for awhile and then others sprayed for awhile, you get the idea... Carsten sat out most of the time as he had injured his knee and you know you can't get injuries wet...

Adjustments...

Gluten is not our friend...

For our interested followers--We tried an alternative treatment for Reese and his celiac disease. Our doctor was up front and didn't promise miracles, but we still held out hope. She helped him with other allergies (dairy, corn, that type of thing), and tried with gluten. Last week was his blood test and it came back that the celiac disease is still present. He won't react as severely to gluten now, but it is damaging to his body, so it is in his/our best interest to steer clear. I've been purging the house again and am in the mode of being careful. We'll eat at home more (better anyway for us and the budget) and we'll adjust to this way of life...

Best laid plans and all that jazz...

Had some plans for the evening... just getting things done...
Carsten got stung 3 times by a bee(s).
Not a fun evening.
Ended up getting one thing crossed off the list.
Haircuts for three boys with lollipops for bribery (for two of the boys at least).
After a bath and a lollipop Carsten seems to have forgotten the earlier trauma... off to bed!

Busy, Busy, Busy... Full Summer Days!

It is Friday, so that means FNFN (Friday Night Fun Night)... Jim suggested a tent night. This evening Jim and the boys set up the tent and they are in it as we speak eating popcorn and reading comic books. Jim found and bought some special Richie Rich comic books (Reese and Jim's favorite), so they are just a little excited! Mommy gets a quiet night inside. :)

We had a fun day with Siena and Remy here at our house. Auntie Alicia and Justin came over as well... There was art in the garage, music, bike riding (Reese's lip above came from a bike wreck), swimming, and five tired, happy kids at the end of the day!

Music and lollipops!

The 4th

We went camping at the coast for the 4th with Jim's family... Here are the boys under/inside a 500 year old Spruce tree.

It was Christina's 40th birthday--had to celebrate!

Jim putting together the complicated kite we've had forever and never flown. We thought the beach would be the perfect spot for flying it, but it ended up to be too windy.

Aunt Elaine explaining something to Reese and Grace--Reese can't remember what lesson she was teaching them...

Gabby and Reese building sand castles.

Carsten marching along...

Justin and some serious sand work...

The four little monkeys on a hike--on a bench in the stone fort...

Reese and Abigail were good little buddies the whole time.

Reese peeking out of a hole--in the next picture too--can you find him?

Aunt Alicia brought some crafty things for the kids to do--the painting was a smashing hit--especially with Reese and Abigail. They got into painting the fire wood, rocks, themselves (although some grown ups started that one!)...

The three pregnant campers!