Fenwick Island

We have some very dear neighbors who gave us a huge gift... I think we must really have looked desperately in need of a break... so we got to spend a wkend at this beautiful beach!! What a great time we had!

something new

guess what it is??

Father's Day

Joey returned just in time for Father's Day. After breakfast in bed, church, grilling for lunch we went to see Toy Story 3. Very fun day, very fun movie. Happy Father's Day.

Swim Meet Take 2

Another beautiful day for a swim meet. They all did very well. Seth improved his times, J didn't dq on his backstroke but instead won first in his age and division for Back and freestyle, C again won first for her age and division on butterfly, and Reu moved up a division on both back and free, held first for C division for butterfly as well as helped his team win first in a medley relay! Good times. Great excercise!

(just a funny pic from swim practise earlier in the week!)

Viola Spring Concert

Here is a little clip of the strings concert.

C is excited to be able to continue her viola in Moscow.

Cappies Gala

The South Lakes High School production of Les Mis was nominated for 9 awards and last night was the Gala. The show did well winning 5 awards... the one we are personally most proud of was the Orchestra Pit which Seth was the percussionist for. He played the xylophone, tympani, gong, bell tree, tambourine, and triangle.

Talk about FUN!!!

What a great time we had at our first swim meet here in Reston VA! They have a wonderful summer swim team league with about 10 pools in the area... long story short... being new we could not register until last. Of course we got on the "loser team" but I didn't care because I just wanted my kids to swim and the pool they practice at is actually the closest to our house (7 min walk!) . End of story is "loser team" beat "arch rival team" (the other team that is very close proximity, just about 15 min walk the other direction, but known for being a very strong team) yesterday in a "backyard brawl"!! It was really fun especially since we were on the winning team... and we thought we were on the "loser team"!!

so the theme today was safari and here is our giraffe

and our butterfly... seriously though Clara swam first place for age and division and made points for her team!! She was sooo proud. She really likes that dolphin kick!

R placed 2nd in butterfly, 1st in Freestyle, 2nd in Back, and 2nd in a medley relay(he swam free)

This was J's first meet...look at his form!

C coming in and see who is timing right above her!!

R making friends!

C resting between races

S with "cap hair"

S swimming back stroke... and N showing off her battle scars of the day (with me as a timer she had to manage getting all four in their races as well as keep them fed and hydrated!)

!

German Honor Society

Mary earned her honor cord (she was inducted at KHS when we lived in German) and Seth was inducted into the German Honor Society. Between them is Frau Christ from the German Embassy here in DC. She was so very nice... and on the right edge of the picture is Frau Finley. She has a big smile on her face. She just loves teaching German and has done a great job with my kids. I thank her sooo much. She was actually one of the first people we got in contact with from the school before we even got here and our interaction with her helped determine that we would rent the house we did and our kids would go to this school. Thanks Frau Finley!!!! You never know what a few email exchanges will bring do you? My only regret is I did not take a picture of you with the kids!! I may have to stop by one day at school before we leave and snap it!! Thanks again Frau Finley. We wish you the best.

Piano recital

John's first recital!
Clara's second, they were so cute!

I just loved these flowers

Swim team has begun and everyone is thrilled...
these flowers were outside the pool area and I had to take a picture to share. They were just stunning. Blue, purple, and pink. I never seen all three colors together. Then there were some with alot of yellow/white like below. These were J's favorite.
Sometimes you have to stop and enjoy the flowers.

million dollar baby