Keeping Busy

We've been keeping busy around here, as usual. Eben went to camp the second week of August and had a great time. It was a little taste for all of us of what it will be like during the school year. He never complained about being gone all day, though he was very worn out afterward. He usually went out back and just played by himself in the sand box. I guess he needed some 'down time'. Aliza missed him, but did pretty good too. It was strange not having Eben around, but it will be even stranger on M,W, &F's during the school year with Aliza gone from 9-11:30. She will be in the 4 yr old class, which I think will be really good for her. She'll already know one boy from the MOMS Club, but it will be fun to see her meet kids beyond the club too :) Its really all the friends she's known.

I've been working a bit lately, 3 times from the 14th-20th! I'm looking forward to that check, but it is sure wearing me out. If only I could sleep whenever I wanted throughout the day. Hahaha! Dream on, Lori! I may sign up for a week day this week (if there is a work email coming), but I might take the week off. This weekend is out of the question regardless. We are going camping! We're heading up to Ashford, CT for the weekend. The campground looks amazing, with tons to do for the kids! We're hoping for great weather. This will only be the second camping trip we've taken since living out here. Last time we were so thrown off by the insanely early arrival of the sun and the crazy birds chirping at that same hour, that we've taken a couple years off. Now we know what to expect, so hopefully it will be better this time :) The kids are really excited!!

So, my 31st birthday is a week from today! Wow - it seems like I just turned 30! I've included a picture of my early gift from Jared, for those of you who haven't seen it on facebook. Its my 3 peas in a pod. 1 pearl for each of my children. I love it! No plans for the big day, but we'll probably end up going out for dinner as a family. I'm sure not going to cook ;) Speaking of birthdays, I'm eagerly waiting for two special babies to be born. My good friend is having her c-section tomorrow, and my sister-in-law Erika is due this weekend. Neither know what they are having, so it makes it all the more exciting. My guesses are a girl for Rosh, and a boy for Erika and Bryan. We'll see if I'm right :)

The picture of the three kids was taken to send to my Grandma, who just turned 90 on Saturday! I'm bummed I couldn't be there for her big party. I hope she enjoys the picture :) Also, I've included a picture of Nora in my shoes. She is ALWAYS trying on someone's shoes. I'm getting a little sick of picking shoes off the sitting room floor (and wherever else she drags them), but she gets a kick out of it. Hopefully this doesn't mean we'll have trouble ahead in the shoe shopping department!!

On a final note, today has been so nice. Rainy and cool (65), but nice. The windows have been open, and I've been lounging in my pj pants this afternoon. We got rain yesterday, and its supposed to be around until Thurs. I'll probably be sick of it by then, and hoping for no rain for the weekend, but for now, I'm enjoying the cool weather. Its a taste of Fall - which is my favorite season!

15 for 7

Hello August! How are you already here??? I've been insanely busy lately. My sisters and their families, along with my parents have been here for the past week - hence my title - we had 15 of us for 7 days! It was crazy, fun, insane, loud, and wonderful - all wrapped in one week. And boy did we cram a lot in! We enjoyed the pool a lot, did two separate beach trips, a trip to Newport, RI, a trip to New York City, hikes, and parks. I've included some pics of the past week. The kids had a great time together, and we adults enjoyed ourselves too. Of course there was always someone crying or heading to time-out :), but it was good all in all. This was the longest that we have ever all been together. I knew from the get-go that I would have a hard time when they all left, but I had no idea just how bad it would be....

So, they left yesterday morning at 7, and since then I cannot count the number of times I have cried. Yesterday especially I was a WRECK! I have never been so emotional. Usually I'm sad when company leaves and have kind of a "down" day, but this was ridiculous! I cried throughout the entire day!! I told them if they ever all come out together again, they cannot all leave at the same time. I just can't handle it. I feel bad for Jared having to deal with it, but I just couldn't control it. I think it was a mix of saying good-bye to everyone at one time, going from 15 to 5 in 1 minute, and also just a release of the stress/craziness of the week. I held myself together pretty well amidst it all, but when they all left, it all came out - in tears. Today I've been much better. When I felt like crying, I held back and tried to let it pass. However, I did cave in a couple times. My goodness - this is annoying. I've never been this emotional, not even when I was pregnant. So, anyway, that's what I've been dealing with the past two days. My poor husband! What a blessing he has been!!! I'm not looking forward to tomorrow - my first day alone since the afternoon of July 23rd. Say a little prayer for me!!

I hope you enjoy the pictures. I may post some more later

-The three sisters, Carol-Lori-Jennifer
- Sand castle time at Watch Hill in Rhode Island
- Jared and Aliza enjoying some waves at Watch Hill
-Naphtalia and Nora having some chow
-Jared and his nephew, Jacob
-Aliza and Eben with Grandad on the Cliff Walk in Newport, RI
-Groton Long Point (CT beach)
-Rainy bus ride through NYC. It was kinda fun with the rain, especially since it only lasted about 1/2hr :)
-Boat ride along NYC shoreline. It was insanely hot outside, but there was air inside the boat. We were very grateful. We rode out around the Statue of Liberty, past Ellis Island and back. It was a really nice tour. (Craig and Jen are behind us)
-Pool party! It was really hot the morning after they arrived. And after getting the camper up we were super hot. Even my Dad got in the pool, which rarely happens!! Good times :)