Maryland

 It was soooo nice to get away from it all last weekend. Here's another BIG thank you to my awesome Aunt Debbie, who offers her amazing palace of a lakehouse to her family to enjoy while she works tirelessly to take good care of soldiers overseas. I knew I was kind of stressed out, but I wasn't aware how much and how good it would feel to let it all melt away for a few days and bathe in the sun, lake views and uninterrupted family time. Sighhhhhh . . .

Here's what we did:

took a longish car ride to get there

explored historic downtown Berlin (MD! : ) )

enjoyed more than one kind of pool

(I received the truly lofty praise from my husband who is not wont to such gushing "I was pretty sure you'd be terrible, but you weren't that bad.")

went fishing

ate a bunch of chips lakeside

said, "what responsibilities?"

played tag

blew bubbles

danced in them

sat on the dock

had a nice breakfast out

enjoyed cups of coffee

fooled you! just water in the little ladies' cups, but it's so fun to pretend to be a grown up

said, cheese

hit the boardwalk at Ocean City

and danced there

ran around like wild

just a reminder that I was there too!

held hands

got treats!

jumped and splashed

went fishing again

hung out in the backyard

kept close tabs on the waterfowl

celebrated fathers day

hit the beach

and for the grand finale, a canoe ride the morning of our departure

It was a good weekend.

Driveway continues

Work on the driveway has continued. It's been the focal point for a lot of our family activity these days. In between trying to figure out crazy illnesses with fevers and spots among other things. Cue cute sick girls:

We've made a lot of progress. The gravel has been tamped.

Sand has arrived. Its delivery wasn't quite as exciting as the gravel's but it is a lot more fun addition to the back of the house than the rocks were (don't get me wrong, the girls love picking up rocks too, but they are actually allowed to play in the sand).

Paul has been tirelessly spreading sand and laying bricks and pavers, day and night, rain and shine.

nice evening

nice night

 nice day

rainy night

Meanwhile, the girls are enjoying our mini-beach when the weather is nice.

It is looking great! Paul got the top layer of sand over pretty much the whole patio tonight, quickly, as a downpour began over him. This driveway is going to be a lot stronger for all the heart and soul built in!

Toddler humor explicated

This morning, Ella and Nora and I were reading books and I had asked a question about colors or something to which Nora replied, "Poo poo!" Both girls dissolved into giggles while I rolled my eyes. Then Ella had the courtesy to explain to me, still giggling, "That makes no sense. But it is SO funny!" I had to join in the giggles at that point. : )

Dump truck

The dump truck came and brought the gravel the other day. The excitement was almost worth the price of the rocks!

Sweet singer

Driveway

 We're making a driveway! By we, I mean everyone but me is making a driveway. I am the photographer. Paul has got it almost all dug out. The next step, which we are all really excited about, is having a big dump truck deliver a whole bunch of gravel to put down. That will be a thrilling moment for sure! It is scheduled for Monday. Til then, "we" are all helping to dig and level.

Hopefully we'll get some good footage of the truck on Monday!

Nieces and nephews and Gramma's big day!

We had two little beautiful babies born into the Malone family last winter, and I got to spend some time with their cute little smiley faces over the last few weeks. What little sweetie pies!

Part of the reason I got to see those little sweeties was that Gramma had a big birthday this month! We had a lovely time celebrating her with breakfast at the pier, a little piano concert for me of some of her favorites from ALL the Psalms she has set to music and memorized in time for her birthday ( I repeat, my amazing mother has memorized all the psalms and music to go along with them), a plantarium show, and some delicious steak on the grill. I am so thankful for my Mom's 60 years. The more I learn about mothering, the more I am struck by the wonderful work my Mom did in guiding me through my growing up. What an inspiration and what a great friend! Love you Mom.