Josie and her animals....

.....I love when she does this....she lines all the "hows"...that is cow in Josie talk and any hooved animal is a "how" to her. Anyway, she lines them all up, keeping them all the species grouped together.

"You cut me open"

Avery was playing with her dolls, singing this song..but of course, she saw me get the camera and the candid moment was lost....but this stage performance followed. Can you tell we like this song?

Discovery's SHARK WEEK

This is my favorite week of TV all year. Growing up, I always was "scaredly" fascinated by these kind of shows....and I've bred kids that are likely intrigued. Good thing its this week and not last week, otherwise the beach would have been a bust...too scared to get in the water.

VIRGINIA BEACH

To break up the monotony of summer days, we decided to take a trip to the beach. None of us had ever been to Virginia beach so this was something we were all excited about. I found a hotel online...the Blue Marlin. Turns out it was VERY small...VERY old...and VERY poorly renovated...but it just added to the adventure of it. The beds were like tacos, but the AC was EXCELLENT. The kids all spread out on the floor to sleep at night, so there was literally NO walking spaces. All 10 of us crammed into our little hotel room was quite a sight. but we had the best room in the whole hotel...a view of the beach and the only hotel room with the huge concrete corner deck!

The first night we were there, we went to check out the beach. Of course, the boys dove right into the water. Avery and Josie were content to chase their shadows in the sand.

We bought some cheap boogie boards and the boys had a blast on them. The waves weren't too big, so I didn't get too nervous about letting them go out on their own.

Tyler and Avery played "wizzbie" as Avery calls is. She was really good at throwing it....not so good at catching.

The were a MILLION dolphins at the beach. Everytime you looked up, you saw one jumping out of the water...the kids loved it. You can see them in almost all the pictures.

I've decided Tee hates the beach. Who wouldn't?! He stays in the shade the whole time....get a little sweaty, salty and sandy. Next year he will love it, though...Jo loves it...can't you tell...she's loves it so much she is kissing it!

What is a day at the beach without being buried in the sand!!! Tyler and Jordan had a sand castle contest...which is which??

So this picture had to be posted....check out the fancy swim trunks on the fellas behind shanda!!!!!

Poor Duce...Chaffing has plaqued him his whole life!

We rented these "family bikes" to ride on the boardwalk. Sort of fun...sort of a nightmare. Every two seconds, someone was dropping a shoe or a bottle...or we were nearly running over pedestrians. Then Shanda nearly broke her toe in the chain. But it was worth it, i guess...the kids sure had fun. The adults got their workout!

Avery now rides a two wheeler!

Jett took Avery outside this afternoon and helped her practice riding two wheels on his bike. I could hear shrieks and screams and they both came trampling in the house saying Avery could ride by herself. I went out and low and behold...she could. It was so cute to see Jett take such pride in her...cheering her on...giving her pointers. He can be such a good big brother. We had Uncle Jordan take her training wheels off her bike and she and the rest of the kids did some bike riding in the back yard.

Jett can't help but show off his skills....In this picture, Avery fell off and Jett took the liberty to bring her her bike

BEST DECISION OF MY LIFE

Tyler and I celebrate our 8 year wedding anniversary....nothing fancy.....dinner and a movie (without kids) Jordan and Shanda offered to babysit. We've done a lot of damage in 8 years....we've moved three times and have had five wonderful kids! I'm a lucky girl. Now, I'm starting to plan our ten year getaway....HAWAII!

John....John Hyde...Johnny....Johnny and the sprites???

Shelly...doesn't John have this shirt??????

The pool

Avery LOVES to lounge on the pool chairs....looking at the sales...Ahh, that's my girl!

Jett is getting pretty dang good at his dives....Josie has no fear of the water or the diving board

This was Tee's first real dip in the water....Avery's favorite thing to do is touch the bottom of the pool.

Duce tried a flip and smacked his back...now he is a little gun shy at trying it again.

We got season passes to this pool. Coming from Florida, my kids are amphibains and NEED the water. This is a nice, clean little pool, that is never very busy...which is nice. Shanda is on our family pass, and Kolt has been coming with us each day. They are all mastering their diving board tricks...including Josie...who goes off with out even flinching!

camping with Uncle Jordan

Jordan was so brave to take Duce, Jett, and Colt overnight camping. They found a great site about 10 minutes from our house. They were right under a huge canopy of trees with a great clearing..there was even a firepit alreadt dug and lined with rocks. They were right next to the river so they did some swimming and fishing. Duce said they went for a little hike in the woods and saw a big buck with huge antlars. Jordan called us and asked us to brings smores fixings...so we met them at their campsite for some smores.