Days with the Dorans

So exciting!!! Home Band Camp has begun! This year I am able to volunteer a bit and it's been fun meeting new people. I wasn't actually ever outside though (I helped out my friend Jessica- volunteer extraordinaire). I helped with uniforms and got to fit Joe with his and... he grew! YAYA!!! This is all VERY new to Ali! She is playing in the pit which is nothing like playing the viola! The attitude for this year is try everything once and see if you like it. She's still not sure but so far is doing pretty well with learning the new instrument and meeting new people. I guess both Doran kids were recognized for their great marching skillz! I love that there are volunteers to take pictures of kids- I found this one on the site of Ali and her friends. There was also this pic of Joey with his friends! I think they all look happy! Joey LOVES marching band! He loves the family feel and can't stop talking about it. That's good because I'm loving marching...

 I don't know if there's anything I look forward to more in the summer than our get-away to the Elk! It's so great to leave home and know that our other babies are in good hands too (thanks Nana and Papa). We always do the same thing when we get there- best pizza in town and best ice cream in town!! Afterward, we hit the store for a few groceries and the heavens opened up on us! I don't think anything could dampen our mood though!  Thankfully the rain didn't stay and the Littles (especially) were off to swim. You can't keep these two fish out of the water. I'm glad they are friends and can cooperate. Sean prefers the pool and Z the lake so we spent a bit of time in both locations with no complaints. Growing up in a big family does have it's perks! While the littles swam, Al and I read our books (watching the boys too of course) and dad and Joe stayed back to play guitar. Joe forgot his suit but managed to remember his guitar. He really d...

Jamie let us know that she was going to be in town so we were going to go to Kensington and catch up. I threw out there that if everyone wanted, we could meet at the lake instead~ and just like that I was whisked back to my childhood!  In addition to my high school friends (Kim, Jamie & Nevada- pictured at top), two of my college roomies came too (Dawn and Kristen). I hadn't seen some of them in years and it was so great to catch up and see/meet everyone's kiddos! Love that my mom was there because we were able to get some cool pictures and I know she loved seeing everyone as much as they loved seeing her. The hubbies came too and Jamie's sister, her fiance', and her step daughter were there as well. Glad we were able to get a picture of all the kids (and of course a pic with the kids with their mamas)! Thanks to my mama for letting us crash the old pad!

I don't know what took me so long on this one. I tried to power-wash our house but it did NOT work so I FINALLY made the call and had it professionally cleaned! They did a GREAT JOB. Had to post it here in case I need them years down the road again! (MDTH Services)

A parent sent me these pictures of Joe with friends. He has a couple different friend groups he's hanging out with but is loving summer (even though he is waking up early every morning to run for XC). Joey is not the only one having fun on the lake! I'm loving our wine time on Lisa's boat! I miss teaching with Lynn and love catching up with her. She makes retirement look so good!!! ;-)

It was not a good sign when Joey was driving and we realized he couldn't see well- especially in the dark. I got him and Ali an appointment (at a new place I really like) and they both got glasses and can see now! Joey is near sided (which we suspected) with one bad eye (like his mama). He tried contacts for about a half hour and gave up. I suspect if he really wants them one day he'll try a bit harder but he likes his Ray Ban frames- and they are transitions so built in sunglasses! Ali is an interesting case (as her eyes have had other blog posts about them. Turns out she is near sighted in one eye and far sighted in another. No need for contacts right now but if she does need them, she'll only need one for her near sighted eye! So crazy! She got some Kate Spade frames but opted against the transitions. I think they both look good (in appearance and they can see!!).

So Joey mows the lawn at Nana and Papa's and we were there when the mower stopped and he said he thought he should stop. He wasn't actually be lazy- he was being kind. Check out these little guys he found! They were so tiny and cute!