Aunt Danielle's Birthday Celebration

After our softball picnic, we headed over to Gammy and Gampy's house to celebrate Aunt Dani's birthday (which was Friday). Chris, Dani, and the kids filled water balloons while Gampy cooked the chicken.

The task got a little wet for Kendall, Mom, and Dani, so we decided to pick blueberries instead.

We had BBQ chicken and corn on the cob amongst other goodies for dinner.

After dinner, we dressed the kids in their bathing suits for a water balloon fight...it was SOOO fun!!!

After the balloons were gone, the kids took over the hose. Everyone (including Gammy and Gampy) was soaked by the time Nolan was done with the hose.

We ate some birthday cake and visited a while longer. Then, it was off to bed...what a busy, exciting day!

Happy Birthday Aunt Danielle!!!

Softball Picnic

Yesterday was the end of the season softball league picnic.

Natalie and Kendall played tee ball for the Big Flats Fire Department.

The kids, Grandma, and, I all went, and we had fun.

After we ate (hotdogs, hamburgers, fruit, and chips) there was an awards ceremony. It was both Natalie and Kendall's 1st year playing softball, they loved it!

Kendall receiving her trophy (and giving her coach a hug)

Natalie receiving her trophy

Good Job girls!!!

Sideways Video

I consider myself fairly photo-savvy on the computer...somehow though, I cannot figure out how to rotate these videos for blogger. I have them rotated everywhere else. So, if it appeals to you to watch these sideways, I taped them specifically to share with you. I apologize for my incompetence.

Kendall doing the Pledge in sign language (sideways...)

Natalie and Kendall singing "Let's get Together"
(Double Trouble in hats nonetheless)

Thank You for bearing with the sideways videos...I still find them enjoyable, hope you did too!

Fireworks on July 5th

Mom made it home from vacation just in time to catch some local fireworks with the kids. Shauna, Kristen, the girls, and Mom met with Grandma and our cousins to watch the big show!

Kendall ran into a friend from her pre-K and Kindergarten class. His name is Colby. They also found out that next year they will be in the same 1st grade class, how exciting!!! Colby wants "to be in Kendall's class every year and then marry her", Kendall insists that they are "just friends."

Natalie and I sat with the family and watched the fireworks. Natalie didn't like how loud they were.

The fireworks were beautiful, it was really fun!

Here is some build-up and the grand finale, awesome fireworks!!!

Our Annual Adults Only Vacation in the Thousand Islands

Every July 4th weekend, a big group of friends (including Kevin and I) meet up in Alexandria Bay for a weekend of rest and relaxation...without kids!!! I certainly missed the little ones, but it was a nice, relaxing weekend.

This is our room that we get each year.

This is the view off our balcony...it overlooks Boldt Castle and the St. Lawrence (it's beautiful). (Each year they do fireworks over Boldt Castle, but this year the fireworks were on Sunday night because of a county law they couldn't do fireworks on Saturday...so, we missed them this year, oh well!)

Here is the group of 12 (this year) that met up in A. Bay. Kevin, Sara, Shannon, Kathy, Dale, Cindy, Chris, Paul, Stan, Allie, Gomer, and Tina.

We know most of them from previous vacations. Stan and Shannon are very good family friends of ours. We go together every year.

The weather was pretty darn cold (and rainy), but we made the best of it! We kept busy shopping and being goofy!

I made a friend at the jewelry store.

Pucker up rhino!

Shannon being "Cousin It"

Anchor woman

On the 4th, we rented a boat for the day. All 12 of us went. It was really fun, but really cold. We bundled up in blankets and hoodies and had a blast on the water!

Everyone get your life vests on!!!

Shannon and I

Trying to keep warm

Kevin and I at the entrance of Boldt Castle

After many hours out on the boat, we headed to our rooms for some 4th of July festivities (and pictures)!

Matching costumes and koozies: a must have for these ladies :)

Kevin even had some fun!!!

Ladies say cheese!!!

"Uncle Sara"

After a pretty early night on the 4th, we headed home. We wish we could have stayed longer, but I missed my babies! It was a wonderful trip and we plan to head back up to A. Bay next year (yippee!)

Mom preparing to see the little ones after vacation

Owen Richard Hall

The day after our camping trip, Natalie, Kendall and I hit the road with Jenn and Sam to go meet our newest family member: Owen Richard Hall (see "The Hallway" link on the left of my page for their blogspot)!!!

Here he is, perfect as ever!!! I think he looks a lot like Dennis, except I think he has his Mommy's lips. It was kinda of hard to get a good look at his eyes because he slept for our whole visit!

Here are Owen's proud parents, doesn't Teresa look great, especially for being about 4 days postpartum!

The girls just LOVED him!!! Even though he was asleep, we passed him around and around.

Nothing like a little baby sleeping on you...I LOVE it (don't worry, no more for me)

Aunt Jenn holding baby Owen

Owen's proud "Uncle Sam"

We hung out for a bit and then headed home. It was so nice to meet little Owen and to see my sister looking so good.

We tried to take Owen home with us, but Teresa didn't like the idea. Doesn't he look perfect with us? He is very happy with his Mommy and Daddy, so we left him in Buffalo with promises of regular visits!

Welcome to the family, Owen!!!