Days with the Dorans

j Summer is here and we have been taking full advantage of Nana & Papa's lake. Papa blew up a boat for the big kids to drive in. As you can see in the video, they didn't quite get the hang of the oars yet, but it's early in the season. I still wonder if this will be the year when Joey goes down the big blue slide into the water... You never know- I'm going to try to get Danny to give the kids swim lessons so they may feel a bit more adventurous. To be continued... As for this movie- it may be hard to hear because I was too far away to pick up the voices well, but they were singing, Row- Row- Row your boat... too cute!

One of these things is not like the other- One of these things just isn't the same- Can you guess which thing is not like the other? Now you're playing our game! ZACHY BUNS!

It was last-minute, and shorter than we would have liked, but I was over the moon when I learned that my very best childhood friend, Pam, was coming for a quick visit all the way from Atlanta. It was great to see her and her son, Jack, who (although I think he looks so much older than Zachy) is only about a month older than Zach. It is so amazing that we have boys that are so close in age. I only wish that we lived closer so they could become fast friends! Pam is also Jonasen's Godmother and while I did get a picture of just he and Pam, I had to snap one with Ali Jane too. Though she sees her Godmother (Jodi) all the time, she wanted to get in the picture too. It was great having all the kids together and Sheila (Pam's sister) was there too. Luckily my parents' power came back (literally) for a few hours so we could have some light before Pam and Sheila made their way to Snover where the Marz's now live. Miss you Pammy! So great to spend time with you!

Well- it began on a Friday... My last day of school- the power went out around 3ish- but all was well and we dropped off the kiddies at Nana & Papa's and had some cocktails (or Miller Lite's in Bottles!) with work friends. The power didn't bother me- we lit candles and crashed. By the next morning it was on again- but then a few days later... it was out! We had bonfires, made s'mores, had sing-a-longs, I almost burned down the house... and more, until we couldn't stand it any longer! The solution- was to head to Commerce Lake (which we did) and play with Great-Nan and Nana's new toy! (My, quite a bit faster than the one we had when I was younger!!!) When it rained it was nice because they have a real piano- (Ours is digital so our sing-a-longs were strictly guitar driven). Here are some pics of the high-lights and a mini concert from our very own Alicia Jane Doran!

Well, I never thought it would actually happen but Zachy is FINALLY walking! He waited for me to be off work so I could witness it myself! We lost power (FOR A WEEK!!!) so this video was taken at my Nan's since we were there. I was on my four mile walk (which I do every day!) when Jeff called and told me that Zachy was starting to walk! YEAH!!!!!! Look out Joey and Ali Jane- your lives are about to change now that little brother is on the move!

Well they did it! I am late writing this blog- with the end of school and a week without power... Joey and Ali Jane raised $150 for the kids of St. Jude. It's a good thing that no one pledged per lap because Jonasen must have done 100 laps on his bike! Ali Jane on the other hand (who we usually can't get OFF her bike) wasn't as interested though she did manage a few laps. (Only once was she going against traffic...ooops!) It was great seeing them out there and they actually had a concept that they were helping kids who were sick. There is a little girl at our church named Maddison that we've been praying for. She is only 10 or 11 and has cancer. Her leg was amputated and things aren't looking good. The kids remember her every night in their prayers (without help from me) and ask God other things like the color of her room or her favorite movie. Maddison was in church a few weeks ago and my kids have never commented on why she has no hair or sometimes wears sunglass...