Merry Christmas

Blessings of a happy holiday season. 

So long to summer

We had quite the summer - we went on a few vacations (Aruba, Williamsburg, Philadelphia, Texas), we had fun with the family, we welcomed new members to the family and said goodbye to others, we adopted two puppies, we expanded our business, we celebrated several birthdays, and we MOVED! To say we stayed busy would be an understatement. The season was filled with laughter and tears, heartache and heartwarming, and perhaps best of all shared time and memories with loved ones.

Summer ended much too quickly and school has begun again. The children all seem to have grown up overnight. But they will always and forever be my babies.

Sunshine and smiles in Aruba...

One of our favorite parts... the wildlife... the lizards were awesome! They were everywhere and came right up to you.

 Adam, watch out, you have a friend behind you.

 Daddy showing them the lizards are nice.

 They LOVED Hannah. She made this little friend here who followed her around for quite some time.

 Hannah's friend chasing after her...

 The water was beautiful.

 

Hannah wasn't so sure of this statue pirate gal.

 Samuel on the other hand was a-okay with her.

 Bubbles in the jet tub!!

Philadelphia

 This kiddo was obsessed with Superman, but now has another hero... Rocky.

 We also got to see Batman's car. He was staying at our hotel but we didn't get to see him.

Fourth of July in DC. Amazing fireworks reflecting through my children's sparkling eyes. Love.

 

Hannah had her first haircut!

 In July we also went to Texas to celebrate the life of a loved one who will be missed dearly. While there we also rejoiced in two new members of the family (my sweet nephew and niece), celebrated the birthday of our cousin, and just had good times with family.

 

 

 While in Texas, our neighbor went and picked up the two newest members of the Hameedi clan... Blue and Bell.

 

 And then a few days later, we went and picked up the keys to our NEW HOME!

No time to unpack boxes or rest... it was time to celebrate all the August birthdays! We had a house warming and our typical cookout for Joe's birthday.

Samuel has been planning and gearing up for his Spiderman party for quite some time!

 He does his Spiderman "web shooter" pose in practically every picture he takes now days.

 My littlest man is growing much too fast. He enjoys playing with his brothers, is very sweet with his sister, enjoys traveling, and wants to be Spiderman when he grows up. He is my protector, he is my amazing Samuel and I love him to pieces.

Hannah is such the princess. She is all girl. She loves to get her nails painted, loves big bows and dresses, adores her "puppies", and was so excited to get mehndi at Abba's festival. She sat so still. Samuel wanted his done afterward and, of course, wanted a Spiderman design.

Before we said goodbye to summer we went to Williamsburg for one final weekend at Busch Gardens. While there we celebrated Zachary's 6th birthday. Yes 6! Where of where does the time go. It was adorable how shy he got when we sang him happy birthday in the restaurant.

 These kiddos were some brave souls on the pirate ship ride. Zachary spent the entire ride hiding in my lap, but Samuel and Hannah were enjoying it until they heard all the screaming... then they weren't so sure. Love their little faces in this!

Then it was back to school...

 

But before we could put summer and birthdays and all behind us... we had to have one final celebration. He wanted to invite his school friends so we waited until school started but then had a Harry Potter birthday celebration for this guy (who just lost his first tooth).

 

Sorted by the sorting hat...

 Making potions...

 Searching for the lost Unicorn in the Forbidden Forest... and later the Golden Snitch on the Quidditch Field.

 This kid consistently amazes me with his unique style, hilarious humor, and big heart. He is my little intellect. He enjoys make believe and performing; he is highly creative. He loves reading and writing (and is really good at!). One day he says he wants to be a teacher or a travel writer (in his words he wants to travel to places and then write about why people should go there and what they might like about it). I know he will do anything he sets his heart on. He makes my heart light up and I can't wait to see all the things that he will accomplish in his life.

 Those are just some of the many highlights from our summer. It was a good one... and we look forward to many more.