Dad vs. Kids wrestling, installment 3

{installment 1, circa 2007} {installment 2, circa 2010}

Perhaps nothing is as fun as watching Scott take on the kids in a wrestling match. He can still take them, but just barely. Sadly, I didn't get any video, but you still get the idea. My favorite parts: Afton was all in. It never crossed her mind she was so much smaller than everyone else. Also, at first Emma just watched, feeling perhaps a bit old to participate. It didn't take long though for her to jump into the fray. I was so glad.

Phone pics...better than nothing

More and more I'm remembering to grab shots with my phone. This is bad, because my phone camera is pretty mediocre. This is good, because it's easy to forget stuff. I'm trying to get in the habit of instagraming when Afton does/says something hilarious that I want to remember. I'm trying to grab a shots of the garden, from swim practice, all the details of the daily routine. I believe that quote, “Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you'll look back and realize they were big things.”(Robert Brault) Ideally, I'd be capturing them all with my good camera--with perfect composition and lighting--but my phone is usually in my pocket so it will have to do.

Here's to preservation!

We've been hitting Dollywood this summer.
Here's Afton freezing after playing in the sprinkler area in her clothes. 

Right after school got out, Ben headed to Washington DC with the safety patrols. He had a great time!

For the church talent show, Emma and her friend Caris sang a song while Emma played it on her guitar.
This was cool because she hasn't been playing very long, but she really caught on fast.

Lydia listening to Scott tell a bedtime story at Grandma's house one Sunday evening.

Bedtime stories are his specialty. 

Afton and Lydia decided painting small rocks would be fun. They were right--it was.
Normally, bring rocks/sticks/etc in from outside it not allowed, but this was an exception.
Afton was excited about this break with protocol, and chattered as she painted,
"And Mom, we're allowed to bring anything in the house except cats, right?" 

We went to an Avett Brothers concert (awesome!). 

We did a triathlon. It was hard, but not as hard as I thought it would be.

The Langfords took us out boating (thanks!), and Emma got up on the wakeboard...

...Scott surfed the wake...

...and Afton surprised us with her unmatched thrill-seeking.

Oak Island 2013

The beach. It never gets less awesome.

A big shout out to our favorite Sextons for inviting us back for a week at paradise. It was sad not having Trey and Allie there this time. It was nice not having any kids in diapers this time. Everyone's growing up, I suppose...

Highlights included game tournaments every night (and actually winning some--woo!), outdoor games with the kids, dinners out, dinners in, rocking out, fireworks, and of course crab hunting after dark. We took the little girls along this time, thinking they were old enough to enjoy it. Lydia started out timid, but warmed up quickly and was even brave enough to carry the big bucket full of big crabs. Afton started out terrified, stayed terrified, and finished off asleep. Oh well, maybe next time.

Guess what we even did this year? You're right--we totally made a music video.

Don't worry, I took a billion photos too.

A special thank you to pinterest for inspiring Emma to set up this Hulk Smash series.

photo cred: Lisa