A Summer of Many Things

Asher was probably the most spoiled this summer (although his bank account shows it)

He learned to scuba dive

 

Eventually scoring himself a scuba certification

Then, his Youth Conference weekend was aboard the Queen Mary--even I was jealous!

They had an awesome time, though they were clearly all too cool (or too sleepy) to show it

All that scuba practice culminated in a week of dives off Catalina Island with the scouts in his troop--again, a fair amount of parental envy happening here

Still, he made time for the important things--like getting his sister to laugh her guts out on the trampoline

These three had a great time at VBS, where Addy and Emerson were counselors and Sera was a camper

(there was also Girls' Camp for Addy, but I still need to track down some photos of that)

Trips to the library are always more fun with a toddler in tow

Especially a toddler as glam as this

 

And with cheeks as delicious as these

This brother did his part, too--teaching her the chicken dance . . .

. . . and chauffeuring her around like the queen she clearly is

She cleans up pretty nice, too

Unsurprisingly, she's a natural at the piano

But I mean, really, how could she be anything but a prodigy?

Modeling too--just look at those pouty lips

Nobody can get quite enough of her

Not even when she's gorging herself on ice cream, like at our neighborhood ice cream social

Or on this trip to Sonic, which just might have been the best night of her life.

We made good food all summer long, including many overnight raisin breads, and this favorite treat--fresh strawberry pie!

Trips to Sea World got even more fun, now that Cora can ride all the Bay of Play rides to her heart's content

I'm not entirely sure this bunch didn't get her a bit dizzy with their whiz-bang sea-star-twirling skills

They do take good care of her!

1-2-3-whee!

 

Some favorite summer shows at Sea World, from World of Bubbles

to the group "Fighting Gravity," winner of a season of America's Got Talent

Elmo and Zoe are basically Cora's best buds

And we all get pretty thrilled at seeing the Shamu show, which is in its last year--we're sad to see it go

And staying late for Summer Nights fireworks--I couldn't love this awesome clan more if I tried!

We got a visit from the awesome Hill family, with whom I lived the summer Aaron and I were dating--their babies are all grown up now!

We did manage to make it to the horse races at least once--I always hope for more, but it's hard to fit everything in!

Well, except for the beach--this little blow-up pool was a lifesaver for Cora, keeping her shaded and entertained

Meanwhile, nothing beats friends at the beach--like these two lovelies

Or these cuties, building a sandman

Or these crazies, laughing right into the sunset

Or these sweet buddies, who have become best pals lately

Oh, and Happy Anniversary to Aaron and I--18 years Awesome!