Sunday Snapshot - Halloween

This year will be the boys' first Halloween.  GW is making the most of it as it will also be his only/last Halloween. For me, Halloween is for the little kids and not for teenagers.  We had told JA that last year was his last time out, but we made an exception when we ended up bringing GW home.  We went out last week and picked out costumes.  See if you can guess who is who...

The Fairy

 Mrs. Santa Claus

The Undead Pirate 

Scarecrow Scream 

Scary Jester 

The Werewolf

Unmasked

Happy Halloween!

Sunday Snapshot - My Wonderful Hubby

My wonderful hubby had a birthday this past week.  Shhh!!! Don't tell, but he is OLDER than me!  I would post some photos of him, but he is like me - more often behind the camera than in front of it.  So, instead, I'll post pictures BY him.  You see, he is an artist; and a pretty darned good one.  He paints watercolors.  Here are some of his latest paintings:

If you want to see more, click here and here

Sunday Snapshot: Father's Day

Last weekend, my sister-in-law, nephew, and sister came over to see our dad (my brother had to work).  My sister-in-law and brother just moved back to FL after a stint in TN (I'm bummed that we didn't get to visit them up there!)   This is the first time I've seen her in about 1.5 yrs and the first time I've seen my nephew in probably 3 or 4 years.  My sister only lives 2 hrs away, so I see her somewhat regularly.  Here are some of the photos we took while they were here.

Sunday Snapshot - A Little of This, A Little of That

This past week has been busy and my photos reflect that.  Here is what's been going on with us lately.

We shipped JA and AT off to Boy Scout Camp e-a-r-l-y Saturday morning.  They are travelling by bus with their troop to Kentucky.  This is the farthest from home (without us) for them ever. 

Just to prove HOW early they left, CP took a picture of the sunrise on his way home :-)

HJ wanted to make some crafts yesterday so I pulled out our craft basket.  TJ saw what she was doing and wanted to join in.  This is one of his creations!  It was neat to see what he came up with - I doubt he ever had the opportunity to do something like this in China.

This is HJ's creation.

While TJ still isn't crazy about dogs, he tolerates Hambone well.  But GW, adores Hambone; HB climbed up next to him and laid down while GW and CP were doing school work last week. 

Earlier in the week, CP brought home a Slip-n-Slide.  We found out from a previous one that they work best if you slide with something like a tube.  Here are some pictures of their fun!

Sunday Snapshot - Kayaking

Yesterday, our good friend "Uncle E"  asked if we wanted to go kayaking.  Well, what else could we say but

SURE!!!!

First, JA showed TJ and GW how to do it. 

While AT went out on his own.

Then GW got a shot and had a BLAST!

And so did TJ!

Even HJ got in some solo paddle time.

SG did too, but this was her favorite spot!

Just chillin'!

Sunday Snapshot - Another First - CAMPING!!!!

Yet another First for our boys - we went camping on Mother's Day!

We put them to work helping set up

JA and AT slept in a tent outside our camper

We went down by the river

And had a campfire

The boys enjoyed crackers and cheese (only GW doesn't like cheese)

We burned roasted marshmallows

and all around had a great time

Sunday Snapshot - ATOM bomb!

My now 3rd oldest son celebrated his 11th birthday last month.  He is my funny, witty, mathematician that really enjoys piano.  He didn't get to join us on our trip to China this time, but he will certainly go with all of us when we take our heritage trip. 

He loves astronomy.

Wants to be a fighter pilot.

and a roller coaster designer.

He enjoys Boy Scouts

and camping.

He has his daddy's freckles.

and his momma's dimples.