last day of dance class

"hand/foot & mouth" virus

NOT having a fun week over here! :(

this week

we are in the midst of summer.

enjoying every day.

blowing bubbles....

crab parties..... 

hands on house on a rainy day..... 

jackson, emma claire & amy came for a visit.

we had fun at chic-fil-a for 2.5 hrs!

kids played (little emma claire smiled & slept like an angel)

while ame & i chatted. 

we were in philly & got to go to a "tom sawyer" play that 2 of scotts employees were in. 

Stoltzfus Family Vaca-

We recently returned from our annual Stoltzfus Family vacation. 

Once again we enjoyed 5 days down at Scott's parents house in OCNJ. 

For Jyla it has been helpful that we always are at the same place..

.although adjustments coming back home are still rough.

We did have a great time while we were there though. 

Here are a few pictures:

Breakfast at Browns 

                                                      coconut shrimp is a favorite!

Triple Date to Bonefish Grill 



a word to the wise...

when writing on the walls with crayon....

don't leave your initials!

(addalie)

garden

Every morning, I walk out to the garden & pick some

basil or cilantro to add to my omelette!

YUM.

loving it.

I have been at war with all of the beetles, hand picking them off.

& when the farmer sprayed the corn field in our backyard he also sprayed a big part of our garden:(

I saw it happen. 

It killed our squash...but everything else is seeming to be ok.

Green Beans are ready.

this is the 2nd planting...

the 1rst time around I planted the seeds too deep & they never came up!?  I'm learning as I go.

Sweet Peppers are here.

Addalie is loving the cucumbers.

I can't wait for the tomatoes!

The 1rst 5 years of my life were spent running around our family-owned greenhouse in KS!

Both of my parents have "green-thumbs".

I don't think I have a choice but to enjoy this! :)

summer

This sumer has been my favorite one to date.

I was trying to figure out why

& I realized that 3 summers ago- I was doing lots of adoption paperwork-

last summer we were definitely still transitioning & jyla wasn't sleeping...

+ I was doing lots of photog for others...

so this summer- has been less intense :) which is always nice.

The girls are at FUN ages.

I am relishing all the little moments.

Here's a peak:

(if you follow me on Instagram, you've already seen these)