Days with the Dorans

The firework show at my parents' lake was postponed a day because Saturday (when they were supposed to go off) was rainy and windy. I'm glad because while we've had a mild summer, the kids were able to get in the lake and play.  The kids had their cousins there and my friend Nan (that I mentioned in my last post) and her husband (my favorite drummer) and son came too (these are her pictures again). Some friends couldn't come because of the date change.  The kids were bummed I didn't let them invite their friends this year but my brother had a couple friends too.  They survivied though.  I'm glad they love their cousins (and of course Ryan too)! I was very excited to see THIS little guy!  Jack Paul was all dressed up and ready to celebrate the fourth! He remains such a happy baby!  My folks were glad to see him and he liked hanging out down by the lake on the swing! They didn't stay for fireworks but did stay for some yummy food. When it go...

VBS was cool this year (and I mean cool)!  They did Mt. Everest!!  I actually helped a bit with decorations which was fun (I always tell them I'm willing to help but nothing with kids- I enjoy my break in the summer more than you know).  Joe was really excited because he had so many friends in his crew!  Ryan and Michael from church and Connor and Dominic from school! I am good friends with Ryan's mom (Nan) who is an amazing photographer and took many pics of the kids so I could get a window into what they did! She's the best!!  Ali only went to VBS on Thursday and Friday because she was in dance camp from 9-5 on Monday-Wednesday.  Her friends had so much fun in the past that they went without her and she joined up with them when she could (Thursday and Friday).  She had a great time and so did Claire, Maddy, Sarah and Anja! Z got a friend too of course.  He and Alex had a good time and I heard quite a bit about the week from Zach (who...

 We were so excited to head north to see Grandma last Friday and she took us to Splash Village which was a super fun indoor water park!  Jeff and I left our suits at home.  It's nice now that the kids are older we don't NEED to be in the water with them though it did look like fun and we may have to bring our suits one of these days! The kids couldn't wait to get bracelets and get in the pools.  They didn't miss a beat scattering in different directions.  They met friends but seemed to always rejoin each other.  I do love that they get along as well as they do! Sean LOVED it too.  He couldn't go on the big slides because he wasn't quite tall enough but they had good-sized slides for him too.  He was like a fish and we only got him out of the water for a about ten minutes while everyone had some treats that Grandma packed! Otherwise, he was back in.  He even went under the big waterfall!  The way it was set up was ...

Dear Joey, Ali, Zach and Sean, It has been a HUGE week (or two) for our country and we (your dad and I) have been loving that we are able to watch it all unfold.  I felt like I should write a bit about it (like I did when our country elected its first black president- also huge) just so you can read history not just in the books (or I should probably say online) but hear it from our point of view... When I think about some of the BIG changes in America's history that I have found fascinating, it would be the Civil Rights Movement and Women's Suffrage.  I'm just starting my studies in Social Justice but I find it fascinating and something I want to learn about more and more!  It still blows my mind that when Great-Nan was born, her mom was not allowed to even vote!?!  Can you imagine??  Well, right now some people are up in arms about the changes going on, but I have to tell you that we aren't part of that group~ we are over-the-moon excited and here's why...

 Ok, I'm a bit biased perhaps, but I did pretty well when I said, "Yes!" to Jeff.  Not only is he an amazing cook, musician, soccer player, teacher and all around funny guy (and more...)~ he happens to be the best dad I know and I'm so lucky to have him fathering MY kids (OK... our kids- but you know how picky I am which is a huge compliment!).  We got Jeff something for soccer and this shirt!  Of course you can't read the fine print when you're far away (which makes it funny).  Jeff had to play guitar on Father's Day and wore this shirt and I think that most people thought he was just a loving husband... which he is but the fine print certainly is TRUTH!  After church we went to lunch and then went to the lake to see MY dah-dee who also happens to be recovering from surgery on his ankle so can't do anything at the moment except solitaire, watch TV and of course Facetime with his Grandkids (he's addicted).  I have to say that when it comes...

We don't do it often enough but it's so much fun when just Jeff and I get out (or get out without the kiddos- I love them to death... but...).  We got tickets to one of my favorite bands, Bare Naked Ladies (BNL) and as a bonus~ the Violent Femmes were opening for them! Loved that I got to meet up with one of my friends (and coworkers) and her hubby.  We had a drink and sang every word to the Violent Femmes... It's amazing how your mind can do that.  I probably haven't listened to them in 20 years and yet it all came back- like riding a bike! This was Jeff's first BNL concert (we got a great deal on Groupon for lawn seats) and he liked it!  They are such a fun band to see live!  I highly recommend it.  Currently working on seeing another show this summer... Just have to work on my baby (and now puppy) sitter... AKA Nana! ;-)

I almost laughed when Jodi asked me if I could babysit because it sounded like she felt bad having to ask me... DUH!!! OF COURSE I WILL BABYSIT!!  Jodi was taking a class all week so she booked me for a day and I couldn't wait to get my hands on little Jack!  He grows so fast so I have to savor every moment I can (and of course take pictures!!)!  He is seriously one of the happiest babies I have ever seen!  The only time he cried for me was when I put him in his Bumbo seat to give him some cereal. He ate about four bites and since he was not happy, we stopped and I gave him a bottle... he was MUCH happier! It was threatening rain all day so we didn't go for a walk (like I had hoped we may be able to) but we did have fun indoors.  We exercised (I had him pull himself up on my hands to standing... exercised his legs...), we played with toys, danced and sang and of course read lots of books. I opted for the waterproof variety since sometimes they dou...

I don't know even where to start this post.  The last two years have been really rough for us.  Our hearts were broken twice and I wondered if we'd ever rescue again. Our house has felt so empty since Pele' has been gone.  We talk about him regularly still- but it seemed that Jeff was not ready to have another dog.  In fact he said, if we were to have another dog it would be "all you (me)" which made me think that we would NEVER have a puppy again (too much work). I was thinking that the next dogs we would have would be when our kids were old- I would just rescue seniors (there are so many) and give them a nice home for their final years... That all changed late last week.  I was downstairs working out when I heard about a lost dog (Annie) who had broke through her electric fence and was hanging with the kids.  Jeff was able to contact the owner to get her but he got bit (figuratively).  He was suddenly ready and realized that the absence of ha...