Polynesian Style

Once again mom produced us a new set of Polynesian wear that I had to include on our blog. I think its amazing to see her work. She sews without a pattern! I loved the colors in this material. The boys looked really handsome in their shirt and shorts set. Thanks mom!

Fourth of July

O.K. so it seems I've taken the summer off from our blog. Thought I'd better catch up before the chaos of school starts. For the Fourth of July we went up to my parents in Virginia to celebrate. My nephew and niece, Fletcher and Jocelyn, went with us too! We had a great time with the family as always and there never seems to be enough time to visit. We arrived late Thursday evening. The next day we went to the beach with my brother, Carleton, and his wife, Gracie, who are expecting their first child in January 2010, woohoo! Jessica, Erik and their boys also joined us and we spent a beautiful day enjoying the ocean and cool breeze. The next day was the 4th and we took the kids to the Virginia Zoo in the morning. You would have thought we went to a water park instead of the zoo with all the fun they had in the fountains. Afterwards, we came home to a cook out and games to celebrate the 4th. As always, there was food to feed an army. What I really enjoyed were Alan's grilled scallops. The kids enjoyed playing Tin Can Knock Down, Crazy Bats, Liberty March and making key chains. It got a little crazy with 11 kids in the backyard but they all had a great time. The day ended with glow sticks and fireworks. We joined some neighbors down the street that allowed us to shoot off Erik's aerial fireworks from last year along with theirs on their property next to the lake. It was a great firework show. Sunday, we went to church and headed home. We brought back some caterpillars that dad gave me from his garden. I couldn't believe they survived, well one of the two did, and became a beautiful butterfly. It is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Couldn't find my pictures so I'll have to showcase the second set of butterflies that came with mom on her last visit here in Carolina. Right now I have one in its chrysalis stage.