Labor Day 2009

Paul catching some rays on the boat

Molly all decked out for some time on the water
Don't get me started with the sunglasses...
Abby -- Now this is more like it

Emma & Molly hanging on to the duo-tube

Abby & Kaitlyn thinks this was a great way to spend Labor Day!

We spent even more time with our college gang -- this time for Labor Day weekend at Chautauqua Lake, NY. We had a sunny day on the lake and of course had another weekend full of happy memories.

First Day of School 2009-2010

Our school switched things on us this year and we started school before Labor Day. We didn't like it so much, because we are used to having the first day of school the day after Labor Day. We like having Labor Day mark the official end of summer. By the time Labor Day came around, the girls had already been to school three days.

More important than what day school started is what grades the girls are in this year. Abby is an 8th grader this year and Molly is a 4th grader. 8th grade and 4th grade are the top grades at each of the girls' schools. Crazy to think Abby is nearly done with middle school and Molly is finishing up her time at the elementary school!

The Next Food Network Star?

If Molly doesn't do something in the food industry when she grows up, she might very well be missing her calling. Molly enjoys cooking, concocting, and preparing foods for herself and for others. One day in August she volunteered to make Abby a turkey sandwich, using a pita for the bread. When Molly realized we were out of mozarella or provolone cheese slices, she decided to use grated mozarella in the sandwich and then she turned on her creativity. She used pieces of the grated cheese to make letters to spell out "Abby" on her sister's plate. Now spelling someone's name with cheese is a garnish I think even the chefs on Food Network haven't thought of before!

Outer Banks Vacation Photo Album

Family portrait on the beach
Our beach feet
(clockwise from top: Molly, Betsy, Abby, Paul)

Wright Brothers National Memorial

(yes, a little culture & education on vacation)

The kids

The men/hubbies/dads

The women/wives/moms

The beach from the pathway from the road

Molly after a little boogie-boarding

This is how Abby liked the ocean -- watching it

Our gang camped for the day at the beach

Our family camped for a day at the beach

A-hoy matey! Pirate Molly

Abby at the beach

Beach Bums -- Paul & Betsy

The OBX Tie-Dye Gang

Two members of the Tie-Dye Gang

The 5 who started this friendship circle many years ago

Abby '09 OBX

Molly '09 OBX

Daughter & mother moment

Father & daughter moment

Sand castle time

Sunbathing beauty

"I can conquer this ocean!"

Family walk on the beach

That wave wiped Paul out!!!

After a long day at the beach...

Our "feetprints" in the sand

Hold on tight. There are lots of photos following from our week at the Outer Banks (specifically Southern Shores, NC) this summer with our college gang. There are 20 of us in all and we stayed in one beach house. It worked out perfectly (or as perfectly as it could be). Lots of time at the beach, in the pool, playing cards, shooting pool, and playing ping-pong. The weather was great and the fellowship with our dear friends was even better! We are so thankful for this group of folks.

Finally...A Cell Phone for Abby

Abby had been begging for a cell phone. OK, maybe it wasn't quite begging, but she did make sure we knew that it was her opinion that a cell phone would be an acceptable addition to her life. So, on Abby's half birthday (13.5 to be exact) in July, we presented her with a new cell phone. You would have thought I handed her a pot of gold! The funny thing is now Molly has already been counting down, as she thinks she has 3.5 years to go until she gets her own phone. Boy, oh boy, have cell phones changed many of our lives!

Happy 10th Birthday Molly

Happy Birthday Molly! Molly chose a Dairy Queen Oreo Blizzard for a birthday treat

You don't have to have cake for candles!
Legos -- A favorite toy at our home
New goggles & flippers
Peyton & Molly at "Monsters vs. Aliens"

Molly & her monkey cake

Molly & her "buds"

A bunch of silly monkeys!!!
Molly decided on a swim party at the swim club for this year's birthday celebration. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate, so at the last minute we changed things a bit and turned it into a movie party, watching "The Hannah Montana Movie." One mini party with her friend who is a boy, Peyton, and the other official party of girlfriends from school and church. Molly loves monkeys, so she chose to have a monkey themed party, complete with a monkey cake (which I made) and monkey t-shirts for all of the party attenders.

10 years old already? That makes both of our girls now in double digits. How can it be?