SWiMMiNG WiTH SHaRKS

I just developed Ethan & Jack's water cameras from our trip to Florida. Here is proof that Donald, Ethan, Jack & Lily Kate (not pictured) swam with sharks. I love these pictures!

Last day of summer

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news." Isaiah 52:7

You outta be in pictures!

Here are just a few... more to come later, Robin!

La-Dee-Da-Ti We like to party!

Isn't it funny how, at almost every party, the women gab in one room and the husbands talk in another.

Summer lovin'...we had a blast... summer lovin'... went by too fast!

(I took the liberty of changing the words to the infamous song from "Grease")

What a doll!

This is her new thing. When I ask her to brush her hair- she pushes it in to her face to "look cool".

This is my girl. I have gotten all "mushy" about her lately because she is going to "big school" in 10 days. Sometimes I find myself staring at her. Not just because I think she is so darn cute, but because I can't wait to see what face she will make next. Her expressions are adorable!

She talks to herself a lot. She likes to sing in to my camera tripod.

She is the girl of my dreams. She lets me do "girly" things with her (i.e. take pictures in a tutu for no reason). She loves to wear dresses and obsesses over mermaids. But most days you will find her catching frogs in our yard or having a grueling sword fight in our living room. She is too much fun! I am one smitten kitten!

I could just swim in it!

My "side" of the family spent the day at Burger's Lake. It is a spring fed lake with slides, diving boards, and beaches that are great for digging! It was so great! Mostly because my entire family was there ...and because we have been going there together for over 20 years. It is very sentimental for me. My dad, Donald, Ethan & Jack spent the day trying to out-do each other on the trapeze. Lily went down a very steep slide, cried, then said she wanted to go again. We ate a lot, had a birthday party, tried to keep the babies cool, and sat around gabbing. Definitely my kind of day. It is so awesome when you are in the middle of one of those moments that you know will be a happy memory- and you take the time to just swim in it!
the Don & I

Cutie Patooties: Lily Kate & Piper

the birthday girl

Bubba & Jack

Sarah & baby Rowan

In the back of Travis' truck: Ben, Piper, Jack, Layla, & Lily (she looks kinda bored)

Nana & Ethan

Travis, Laura & baby Reese

Good Food+ Great Friends = Happy Me!

8/11
I love my friends- Summer & Julia. We have not stayed as close as I would like lately-we used to have time to talk on the phone..take girl trips to El Paso, Branson, and Austin (now we talk to kids on pretend phones and take trips to Gramma's). We were in each other's weddings... they have always been able to make me think and knew when I needed prayers before I asked. God has always surrounded me with the most incredible women that I am blessed to call my friends. (Cheesy blog. I know, but I meant it!)
I can't wait to meet the baby, Summer... and don't feel bad if you want to take the "Ladies Man" t-shirt back. I thought it was too funny to pass up!

DISNEY WORLD

Florida or Bust!

We drove all this way to meet a giant mouse!

Donald's favorite "attraction"- the bench!

on the ferry ride

Beach Boys

milkshake for 2

The boys with Donald's sister, Sheryl, & her sweet family!

Newton Family Top 10 Adventures

in Destin/ Disney World

(in no particular order):

1. Donald and the kids got to swim with sharks (we have pictures to prove it!)

2. I loved that Ethan got all "goofy" and excited when he met Mickey, Minnie, Donald and the princesses.

3. Jack spent all of his hard earned $ on-

in his words- "things I don't need"

4. Lily has NO FEAR when it comes to roller coasters. She rode everything that a 42 incher is able to go on- including the Tower of Terror. She only drew the line at "rides that people can die on".

5. We all loved getting to hang out with the Newton side of the family. 5 of their cousins were there.

6. We got to eat dinner inside Cinderella's Castle. The princesses took turns coming over to our table to talk with the kids. It was quite fancy!

7. Our kids tried African cuisine- and liked it!

8. I loved that we were TOGETHER all the time. I am so blessed! I have the most awesome family!

9. Lily got to meet the "real Ariel"- that made the whole trip worth while for her!

10. We loved Expedition Everest, the Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, eating at all of the cool theme restaurants, the Little Mermaid live show, fireworks at Epcot, the teacups, burying Ethan in the sand, our hotel swimming pool at night, sleeping in too late every morning, being the only people at Blizzard Beach water park (in the rain), having the characters sign our autograph books, and all of the disney junk (I mean- treasures) that we brought home with us.

Top 10 least favorite Florida experiences:

1. Did you know that it takes 18 hours to drive there? What were we thinking?

2. Jack and Donald were stung by jellyfish.

3. The "bouncers" at Pleasure Island wouldn't let our kids in to the Disco Club. Who says you have to be 21 to boogie?

4. It rained... and rained... and rained some more.

5. Siblings tend to get fussy & fight when they are tired and together for 8 days on the road.

6. The Hard Rock Cafe in Destin was very blah, but (of course) we bought the t-shirt anyway.

7. We missed the Indiana Jones stunt show.

I secretly love him!

8. We ate too much. I could not decide if this should go in the top section or down here, but after stepping on the scale when we got home- I realized it goes down here. Oh well- back to the treadmill for me...

9. 18 more hours in the car to get home!

10. Unpacking (laundry) is not near as fun as packing.