A "classic" summer.

Well summer is officially over for us. We are sad to see less of Matt, but I am happy to get back to a normal routine. This summer we decided to watch very little T.V. For a full month we never even turned it on, and for us that is pretty incredible. I decided I needed more literature in my life and for some reason I really wanted to read some classics, like Dickens, Steinbeck, and Twain. I really enjoyed these books but I have to admit Charles Dickens was not the "easy reading" I thought it would be. In fact I always had a dictionary close by.

So these were my reads. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, Uncle Toms Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain, and The Pearl by John Steinbeck.

When going to the library to pick up my books, I was surprised to find them all in the "teen section." I guess I am a little behind when it comes to the great literature of the world! I can't say that any of these books were my favorite, but I have found myself wanting to read a lot more and to watch T.V. a lot less. For me this is quite an improvement.

"NO, MY MOMMY!"

From the time they could roll over my boys were fighting over things. Everyday we have little spats over toys, or who gets MOST of my lap during story time. There is always a tantrum over who's turn it is to ride around on daddy's back or over who has to get their diaper changed first. Today's fight was a first. While walking out the door Daniel quietly said "my mommy" Nathan's reply, "NO, my mommy!" and back and forth it went out the door into the car down the highway. Until.....we passed Matt's school where Daniel is always quick to notice and point out that it is "daddy's school." That was followed by Nathan saying "my daddy!" Daniel "NO, my daddy!" This argument has been going on for awhile and some things are not easy to explain to two year old boys. So the argument will go on.

He still makes me laugh.

Before I married Matthew one of my best friends asked me what it was I loved about him. My reply, "he makes me laugh." Her expression told me that she thought I was crazy for marrying someone for their sense of humor. Well obviously that is not the only reason I married Matt but for me it was right at the top of the list. If you know me then you know I laugh a lot anyway, but it has always been different with Matthew. After we met we quickly became best friends. We were always laughing and we were never apart. We have now been married four years. In four years we have lived in five different apartments. We have moved all the way across the country. We have both graduated from college. We have survived most of law school. We have made it through the trials and joys of having twin boys. Each year we share together is even better than the year before.

Many times in just the last week I laughed so hard I was in tears. Happy Anniversary Matthew. Thank you for still making me laugh!

100 pictures for my 100th post.

Not really 100 pictures, but a whole lot!! My friend Tiffany wants to become a photographer and we were happy to let her practice on our family, since it's been FOREVER since we have had our pictures taken. She did such a great job and we are so thankful we could benefit from her talents before she becomes a real professional that we can't afford! Thanks Tiffany.

Four 4th of July favorites.

1. Patriotism
2.Family and friends
3. Food
4. Fireworks

This year it was hard to be away from family on one of my favorite holidays. However, we had a lot of fun. There was a little parade, horse rides, a BBQ at our house with some friends and neighbors, and a fireworks show right over the river. The boys loved their patriotic outfits(thanks Grandma Noel.)
The boys were talking about the fireworks ALL week long. They sat so good for a full hour and waited for them to start. As soon as they started they buried their heads into our shoulders and said over and over "bye, bye, boom" (boom meaning fireworks.) Needless to say we had to leave the fireworks show a bit early. We will try again next year.

New to me.

I have never had to worry about an Alligator coming out of nowhere while enjoying my nature hikes. Here in Florida, it's a different story, signs like these are actually pretty common. Don't worry we didn't feed the Alligators, just the turtles instead.

What do you do in the Summertime?

While most people are enjoying the nice Summer weather outside, we are trying to cool off and get away from the crazy heat inside. So this is what we have been up to this summer.

We collect and paint seashells.

We paint with pudding....YUM!

We go to the Zoo (only for about an hour at a time.)

We try to fit EVERY single toy we own into one crib.

We cuddle.

We occasionally make some goodies.

And we play in water of course....a lot of cold water!!