Where Has the Summer Gone??

Where has the summer gone?

Last night, I got a little emotional as I was deflating blow up airplane pool toys!

And you are probably thinking…seriously??

Emmett received these airplanes as a Birthday gift, and they have been used by all of our grandchildren this summer!

These planes come with their own squirt guns attached, so you can just imagine how much fun our little grandsons, squirting anyone who was within the range of fire!

And though I love the fall season, I am going to miss days filled with laughter, splashing, jumping, diving…and eating lots of ice cream treats (Papa and I know to keep our freeze full of a variety of delicious goodies…for both young and older children)!

I have missed writing this summer, so I guess I will try to share our summer in one blog!!

Our newest granddaughter joined us at the beginning of April, so it has been a joy watching her grow and develop these last few months…right along with our other sweet granddaughter!

Both Graham and Emmett had birthdays (end of May and beginning of June) and we had lots of fun celebrating those sweet boys!

They both wanted individual parties this year, so their mama planned both parties in one day…with much success!

Not to be outdone by her older brothers, Miss Caroline celebrated her first birthday in June!

This baby girl was dressed up in an adorable tutu, but her mama knew to remove this adorable outfit before sitting her birthday cake in front of her!

Good thing…she thoroughly enjoyed getting messy as she dove into her Birthday Smash Cake!

Little brothers, cousins, family and friends stood around, smiling and laughing at this precious little girl thoroughly devouring her cake!

In between birthday parties, we attending many baseball games.

Hudson, Beau and Graham played this summer, so we spent lots of time at the ball diamonds!

It was fun seeing them field the ball, get hits and run around the bases!

But it also broke my heart, when I would see one of them walk off the field…shoulders slumped…because he didn’t get on base!

So thankful for supportive coaches, dads and family members that could encourage them as they strived to do their best!

Many of us participated in the Annual Crohn’s Walk again this year!  I believe this may have been our 7^th year to support those who have been diagnosed with Crohn’s.

Our weekends were often filled with days around the pool!  Some of my favorite memories are made on those days!

I love it when all of the family can get together…I love hearing my adult children joking and laughing with each other…seeing who can do the best dive or make the biggest splash from a cannon ball!

I love hearing giggles coming from our grandchildren as they laugh and play in the pool!

I love sharing meals around the large picnic table that Don built, making sure we had plenty of room for everyone!

I love it when we can share special moments…like Night Swims…watching fireworks from our driveway…or getting together on the 4^th of July!

My heart is overflowing as I think of each fond memory!

We also went on vacation with Andrew, Bekah and their family this summer…Orange, Alabama!

We stayed at the nicest resort…right on the beach!  Our view was breathtaking!

Our grandsons not only loved the beach, but the loved the waterslide and lazy river that was included with our resort!

We had so much fun playing in the sand, collecting shells, swimming in the ocean, enjoying the water slide and lazy river!

And we spend our last evening on a Dolphin cruise!  I am so thankful that we were able to see many dolphins playing in the water during that time!

Throughout the week, we enjoyed trying several new restaurants!

And of course, we had to play my grandparent’s favorite game a couple of times on vacation!  My children have fond memories, playing this game with my grandparents…making this time even more special to me!

This doesn’t only happen in the summer, but I love when the grandchildren have sleepovers!

Bedtime stories…reading the bible…snuggles before bed…best way to end the day!

And the mornings are just as special…whether it is donuts or chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast…followed by a day of fun…it just doesn’t get any better!

We had a few more birthdays to celebrate before the summer ended!

Wyatt turned 3 at the end of July!  He wanted a Dinosaur Birthday party!  Everyone was invited to join him at the Children’s Museum to help him celebrate his special day!

And I was glad to see that he took home some new dinosaur gifts too!

And we had another birthday to celebrate before the summer ended…our little Gabe turned 4 this year!

He wanted a baseball party…and everyone was asked to wear a t-shirt, sporting their favorite team!

Gabe loved playing ball in the yard almost as much as his baseball birthday cake!

And Rachel’s Birthday was filled with work, swim lessons, and soccer practice, but we did manage to squeeze in quick dinner together at the end of the day!

And of course, school starts before summer officially ends!  I love seeing the numerous First-Day-of-School pictures that mamas post!

Their children are so adorable, and I have to admit…the pictures of my little grandsons starting their first day of school just melted my heart!

We also have already attended a few flag football games and some soccer practices!

Looking forward to more games as my children try new sports!

We had our End-of-Summer Bash Labor Day Weekend!

The day was filled with four-wheeler rides, swimming, eating and just enjoying the last days of summer!

As I look back on the summer, I am thanking God for the numerous blessings in my life!

I am thankful for each memory!

So, though it is time to put away the pool toys, I look forward…expectantly…to all that God has in store for me and our family!

I look forward to making new memories, which will include more football and soccer games, and possibly visits to the Pumpkin Patch, Fall Cookouts, S’mores, and so much more!

Counting my blessings!

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever…Psalm 106:1