Attempting a family portrait in North Carolina

The usual chaos of our household has subsided a bit as summer is in full swing.  The tightly scheduled school year has given way to calm(er) days of slow(er) mornings and good times.  In about a six-week span this Spring: one of our kids had surgery; one had the chicken pox; one had lice (yet again!) and all four had the stomach bug. Needless to say, we have earned some tranquility.

Here’s a quick glimpse of our summer so far:

River Rattin’:

Good times with great friends on False River is definitely one of our summertime favorites.

Edwin and Claire soaking in the golden hour

Two wheelin’:

We came home from work to discover that Edwin had successfully ridden his bike without training wheels. Horrified that he did this with the babysitter, we grabbed the camera and hit the pavement to recapture his big moment.

Unnamed Husband hits the pavement with the little guy

Swim teamin’:

This summer activity is actually a bit torturous for the Momma. In the spirit of summer, we take one for the (swim) team.

Swim team fun

Costumin’:

The days are long and what better way to pass the time…

Cyndi Lauper and the Super Hero Misfits

Waterfallin’:

Best. Vacation. Ever. A week in Cashiers, North Carolina was exactly the relaxing, family vacation we needed. The 11-hour drive was manageable, restoring hope that traveling with our kids won’t always be torturous.

Lake Glenville

This may be Unnamed Husband's finest moment

Day Trippin’:

Despite the heat, we a had a great time picking blueberries at Equiterra Farm in Clinton and then driving over the new bridge that connects St. Francisville and New Roads.

Blueberry picking

The newly constructed Audubon Bridge

Sweet treatin’:

With eight pounds of fresh blueberries, we have made smoothies, muffins, pancakes and this cheesecake. Despite my inability to bake, I was able to reach my culinary peak with this little slice of Summer.

The fruits of our (blueberry picking) labor