Guess Who's Here...

Who's Boots are these???








That's right!



Bright and early yesterday morning, Andy came home. Abbie was the first to greet him.



Then a sleepy Ms. Carolyn stumbled into her Daddy's arms.



A new kimono for Carolyn



Snuggles for both girls



And homecoming catnaps are happening... just about everywhere!

A New Beach!!!!!

I'm just amazed... We've lived here over three years now and we just discovered a new beach. Even more amazing, the beach is a mile from our house. And it is the perfect kind of beach. It has more sand than rocks--lots and lots of sand--and really great big crashy waves. I am so excited! I'm a little sad to have discovered it at the very end of the summer, but I figure now I can commit to seeing it in all of the changing seasons.

Playing Dress up

Now there is an ensemble--by the way--those are Carolyn and Abbie's Great-Grandpa's glasses... They were promptly put away after the photo was taken. ;)



Trying on some winter-wear



Just a little extra cuteness.

Stearman Fly-in Down on the Farm

I planned the trip to coincide with the time of year that I'm most home-sick. It's not the holidays, or that first snow, or the dog-days of summer that get me each and every year. It's the first week or two in September when I instinctively go outside and start listening for radial engines and counting the wings of every plane I see.

My good friend from high school, Phil Wolford, started his own Stearman Fly-in which coincided with the fly-in in Galesburg, IL. Growing up, he'd give us all a 'get out of jail free' card and we'd skip school for the day to watch history landing on his family's runway.

So... This visit, I got to hear those sounds and see the beautiful planes that still just make me *so happy* flying around.



Carolyn touches history





My favorite paintjob





A C-130 flew over. Not uncommon for me to see here at home, but pretty uncommon to see flying over the cornfields of po-dunk town IL.



The Wolford family chatting with 'the media.'



Becca and her kiddos, Dad and C




Famous Phil (very reluctantly) holding little Abbie



My favorite photo from the whole trip: Carolyn hugging Becca's little guy. Aren't the adorable???

IL visit: Fun at Pa-pa and Nonna's house and friends and family photos

Abbie with Sarah



Carolyn dubbed Uncle Ray "Grandpa." I think she likes him a little bit.



Aunt Dar gets a turn holding Abbie



Group photo



Carolyn visiting with "Bobo."






Carolyn took her first paddleboat ride!







And of course, we had a visit with Great-Gramma

IL visit: Cousins everywhere!

We had a fabulous visit with Andy's family. Every time we visit with them and I see how big our nieces and nephews are getting I wish that we lived closer... These kiddos are so special!











The cousins had lots of fun playing together







Carolyn especially enjoyed the playhouse

The job of getting a group photo of the cousins was especially comical.


Two year old in flight


Other two year old in flight



Group distraction



Success!