Having had so much fun you made a movie out of it: Boating Edition

It's all about who you know. We're always glad to know the Langfords and Sextons, even when they're not taking us out partying on their boats. But we like them extra when they are.

{First half: fun in the beautiful sunset. Second half: battle royal.}

It begins...

Early mornings, packing lunches, homework. It's all come back with a vengeance.

Middle school is different, but it hasn't killed anyone yet.

Kindergarten has been on a stagger schedule for the first two weeks, so Lydia's first day was different from the big kids. When she got in the van after school that day she grabbed me in a tight squeeze and said ardently, "I love kindergarten." 

I guess it's not all bad.

Losing my delicate grip on reality -OR- entering Ragnar Relay Tennessee

I'm not a runner.
Wait, let me start over.
!!Newsflash!! I'm not a runner.
I typically huff and puff my way to a treadmill mile then move on to something less threatening and more fun.
So why was it when Lisa mentioned that a friend of hers was putting together a 12-person (6-couples) team to relay race all the way from Chattanooga to Nashville my interest was piqued? Skyrocketed?
Internal dialogue: that's crazy, I could never do that. unless I trained. which wouldn't be fun. but the race might be fun. it would be different, a goal, a singular life experience. think of the glory. trying something hard is good. you'll grow. stronger.
That day (for the first time ever?) I ran two miles. That's all it took. I was hooked. I talked with Scott about it on and off for days, read every page on the website, copied down the training schedule (the "beginner" one) and started to follow it. Without ever actually talking to the lady organizing this deal and committing. I kept it as an idea, a thought, an imaginary end to a made up story for awhile, to see if it would fizzle out or hang on. It hung. We're running.
My progress is slow but steady. I can run a few miles without stopping or thinking I'm going to die now.
Scott rocks the casbah. Seriously, the following anecdote perfectly typifies Scott when he decides to try something physically challenging. (note: He's not a runner either.) So the other night, after looking at the various legs of the race, he decided to go and see just how far he could run. He came back to announce that he went 8 miles without stopping. What, huh? Just like that? Of course.

We're building a fort - part 6

Overdue post. It was the week after our first big building day that we finished up The Fort. I finally went out and took a few photos the other evening. It is officially complete, but we have a whole list of fun details to add. Those could take us months, or years, or hopefully the rest of forever to get through. We'll keep you posted.

Everyone gets a hook.

Stick-up lights in the top floor.

The kids added these sweet shelves themselves.

We just got our roof replaced (from the hail damage), and the roofers
were kind enough to do The Fort too with the leftover shingles.

Goodbye summer

Concerning breakfast

Lydia: "Mom, can I have a waffle for breakfast?" [leftover from breakfast-for-dinner last night]
Me: "Sure."
Afton: "Can I have a popsicle too??"

Embellished burp cloths for baby shower gift

Nearly forgot; while I still had a bunch of pink and green strips sitting out from making this quilt square, I used them to pretty-up a pair of burp cloths for Nicole's baby shower. Her baby was born last week, and hopefully is enjoying spitting up all over them.

Metcalf Bottoms, take 2

When you love something, return to it a week later (and take your husband this time, he'll thank you).

And then make a musical montage of your day (because what better way is there to preserve memories, really?).

Then decide to go back just one more time before school starts. I'm thinking some day next week. I love you, Smoky Mountains.

Correction

When I posted about our beach trip this summer I was still in just-get-that-post-up-there-quick-so-I-can-get-ready-for-the-next-thing mode. I slapped a few photos up and gave no thought whatsoever to a writeup. I've regretted this since, as I left out a key detail and feel a bit like a jerk-face.
It just so happens we went with the Sextons. The wonderful Sextons who we love to share beach adventures with and feel so grateful to have been invited by. We played a hundred games of Dominion, caught crabs after dark, rocked out on the deck while watching fireworks, enjoyed sand and surf every day but the one that it rained), and my favorite part may have been the bonding of Lydia and Trey ("Trey and I are becoming really good pals. He's my bff.")
We love going on vacation with families we love.

Afton holds to Lisa for protection from the ocean.