Welcome Hurricane, er, Tropical Storm, er, Rainy Day Irene

This morning we went to the grocery store to "prepare" for Hurricane Irene's promised wind and rain storms.  We expected, based on weather reports, to lose power at some point due to fallen tree branches or flooding.  While we were woken up by hard rain early this morning, the rest of the day realized a quickly dissipating, weakened Irene mustering occasional bluster against the treetops. So though the trip to the grocery store proved unnecessary as far as emergency supplies were concerned, we ran into our friend Aaron and brought him home with us.  Then Aaron invited our mutual friend Tommy over.  We spent the rest of the day hanging out and then, before dinner, we took a walk to the waterfall near our house.  I was excited to see it full of rain water after it'd been so dry this summer.  My expectations were exceeded.  And mercifully, we only went without power for about 30 seconds overall.

You don't want to mess with these guys!  Neighborhood Watch on the look-out!

Air Show

We got to see the Blue Angels and the Warthog and Golden Knights jump out of planes...Pretty cool for a Saturday.

There they are!

Oh!  Too quick.

So loud.

Jonathan keeps uploading photos from his camera...so here are a few new ones from the day!

This is what I was mostly doing.  Face painting for Five County Credit Union.

Awww!

I look focused, right?

Perfect Beach Day!

I think I can honestly give this beach day a 10.  Not sweltering, a delightful breeze, a great long beach for sand play, gentle waves for little ones, and Jonathan's last half Friday of the summer.  Except for the part about Olivia getting a cavity filled in the morning, it was stellar all in all.

Mermaid and a dolphin.  It was Pfaff girls group effort.

Dolphin.

Bucket of water vs.

Handful of Mud.

Owen gets revenge.

Summer on her birthday kickboard. 

It's perfect for her!

Good bye Mermaid.

Oh so exhausted.

Jumpin' Pfaffs

A couple days ago our friends invited us to jump on their new trampoline with them.  As you can see, we mostly had a really great time.  It was tough getting photos with faces in them.  :)

Family Camp!!!

We just came back from a great "camping" trip that included all the fun, without most of the work of a regular camping trip!  We all had a great time, except for Zoey.  She found life away from her normal routine, rather disruptive.  I didn't take a lot of pictures, I was too busy having fun or taking care of Zoey.  Not that taking care of Zoey isn't fun, but I never did get to take her out in the kayak...

Olivia with her camp counselor, Dendi, short for Dendroica.

Dylan and his most favorite person at camp.  He tried to get himself adopted into his family!

Olivia cleaning up the table after our meal.

Air riflery with Dad and the big kids.

Serious business, sort of.

Protective eyewear, quite the fashion statement.

Come on Saveia, get in position!

Zoey, happy for like 15 seconds.

Owen and a new good friend, who lives close by us.

The lake at sunset.

Saveia at sunset, silly as ever.

Me at sunset, with a Zoey on my back.

Our girls with some others, collecting tiny frogs.

Archery with the big kids.

Robin Hood, right?

Dylan:  Mommy, can I stand back here and watch you?  I be a good boy.

Knocking an arrow.

Just as much fun as I always thought it would be!

Exhausted baby boy before dinner, falling asleep in the craft room.

Soaring Eagle teaching Saveia how to finish off her basket.

Project completed!

Owen, thrilled about all the sugar cereal he could eat.

Is that a frosted miniwheat?

Silly Summer.

At the waterfront.

I think that's the sailboat Jonathan tipped over in the background.

"Does anyone know where the rest of my tan is?"

Owen and some new friends from Massachusetts.

Saveia the Shark.

"Mom, would you please stop taking pictures of me?  I don't know why you always have to take pictures."

"I'm not ten yet.  Take a picture of me!"

That's a familiar face.

Birthday party games!

This is why Zoey never made it on a paddleboat, a canoe or a kayak...

Okay Zoey, you win.  Stay here and play in the sand.  Don't drown. Just kidding!  Some friends will watch over you.

Olivia kayaking.

Ready to canoe with Mommy.

Boys against Girls.  The Girls immediately conceded.

Saveia kayaking.

Olivia again, careful not to smile for the camera.

Summer constructs her own sandwich.

Mmm, mustard to top it all off.

Exhausted from all those missed naps and all that crying.