i love summer

Happy Monday

Lots of this going on lately . . . and I do mean lots.

I'm not complaining, though.

I love to watch my Jake and I love the excuse to sit and talk with the other moms.

The kids don't mind it either . . . they get to play with great friends at the games.

There is also a lot of soccer.
I love that, too. :)

The kids are out of school for the summer and I couldn't be more thrilled.
We have been so busy and I am looking forward to . . .
lazy days in the pool,
fun days with friends, and
creative play days in the house. 
I'm also looking forward to getting rooms organized and doing a few other projects (like painting our master bedroom and the kitchen cabinets).

I LOVE this summer list that Amy wrote about here.

 The kids and I will be sitting down to make one of our own today.
Oh . . . and by the way .  . one of my favorite bloggers, Val, from ValSoCal is hosting a giveaway in honor of her one year "blogiversary". 
Stop on over there and enter to win. 
She has the best recipes . . . I have tried many and have never been disappointed.


Have a great Monday everyone!
thanks for stopping by!
~cheryl

~Happiness never decreases by being shared.~ go share some happiness!!

Making Memories at the Beach

Last weekend, we went to Bethany Beach in Michigan. We stayed with my dad's brother, Dan, and his wife, Marg.

We had a wonderful time.

Many beautiful memories were made in the 24 hours we were there.

I'm in love with this picture . . . I love how the younger two are always leaning on their big brother.
I really liked the "Lifeguards" at the beach. :)

This one was especially cute!! I had my eye on him the whole time!
Pizza on the beach.
Run!! This sand is sooo hot!!
Nap on the beach.
Uncle Dan
Grandpa showing off his muscles.Quick!! Take the picture!! This sand is sooo hot!!

The dunes. (we ran up and down those, but I didn't have my camera with me)

brothers

Walking a mile from Bethany Beach to the dunes.

brothers (I wonder what they are talking about)

sand castle

Gotta love that Swedish lifeguard post!

(I'm 100% Swedish, by the way . . . if you don't believe me, look at my youngest son, Luke)

buried

Grandma and Grandpa Eckstrom in the shade

I am so grateful for times like these.

Busy Summer . . . Fun Summer

So far this summer has been packed with fun things for the kids to do.

Last week, Jake was in a football camp at Wheaton Academy . He sure loved it and the coach informed me that Jake was really good at it and he could see football in Jake's future (uh oh! . . . that is what I was afraid of . . . We have too many broken bones in this family!)

Jake is in a baseball camp this week and Caroline is in a sports camp at Wheaton Academy. (which she loves!)

I am teaching swimming lessons to a group of kids in our pool twice a week. (call me crazy . . . but it is super fun!) I am also doing a lot of tutoring during the week.

It's good to keep busy, but it's good to have time to do things like catch frogs . . .

. . . and swim with good friends . . .

. . . and just be together . . .. . . .and do things that you normally don't do when there is snow on the ground . . .. . . and sometimes it is good to just sit and enjoy the scenery . . .

I adore summer.

Summer Saturday

At 4:00 in the morning, I never would have guessed that Jake would still have his game today, but the horrible storm passed and everything dried up. They ended up losing, but they fought hard and the score was close. I am always so proud of Jake and his team.

After the game, we did a lot of swimming.

I am so thankful for our pool!!

We have really used it a lot this summer.
We are having some old neighbor friends of ours over for dinner tomorrow night.

I am trying to decide what to make.

I'm thinking about making bruschetta for an appetizer. (I've never made it before.) I'll let you know how that turns out. :)

I think we will just have grilled cheeseburgers with all the fixin's, strawberry spinach salad, chips, fruit, and s'mores for dessert.

I love summer . . . entertaining is so much easier when you can grill and eat outdoors!

SUMMER

Well . . . it is officially SUMMER!!!

Here is Jake on his last day of fourth grade with his adorable teacher, Mrs. Mulsoff. We really like her and we are going to miss her. Jake had a great year!We decided to celebrate a good school year at the kids' favorite restaurant, Maggiano's. (they LOVE their fetuccini alfredo!)

The waitress put a candle in Jake's ice cream for all A's on his report card! What a great start to our summer break.