My little sister got married!

Just over a week ago we were packing up and heading out, me and the kids for almost three weeks and Nate for a month!  Made it seem like "summer" was ending but in many ways we are just in the midst of it!  First up was my sisters wedding.  I'm still on cloud nine about it- I am just so happy for them, our kids were amazing (is that because I stressed about it for months?!) and it was fun!!!!  The pics are amazing- yes the photographer already has them up!  Here are a few that I snapped:

We kicked off the weekend at my parents for Liz's Bach Party-  a private paint nite event!

Friday morning all the ladies got our nails done- even Olivia!  She did great!!!  And had so much fun with the bridesmaids and especially Clio who was her best friend the next night.

Friday night Nate's parents took the kids and Nate and I had a date to the rehersal!  Finally saw this gorgeous venue in real life and it did not disappoint!  Andy's parents hosted a lovely dinner afterwards where I caught up with Nanny:)

And finally the wedding!!

And a huge huge huge thanks to our cousin Arlyn who helped make this wedding possible!!! (At least from the matron of honor with three kids perspective!)

Can God change his mind?

Today was our last full day down on the Cape with Nate's family.  We spent the morning at a wonderful lake where Olivia was a fish and Nate got to build sand castles.  Isaac convinced papa to carry him into the water over and over again and Sam didn't eat too much sand.  After a rest at home we headed to a playground to get out that last bit of energy before dinner, baths and bed.  As we got ready it started to turn cloudy and Olivia wanted is to hurry up to beat the rain. I didn't blame her one bit until I looked at the weather report and it said only 10% chance of rain.  However as we walked onto the playground, it started to drizzle and Olivia matter of factly states, "I guess God changed his mind and that's ok." :)

We played at the wonderful aug round for about an hour while God wavered on whether or not let it rain.

Sadly no photos at the park-  but this one from this morning of SAMs hair-  I love it!!!

And we tried successfully but shortly to nap the boys At the beach today.  I read a few pages of a book!

 Walked in on this sweet moment this week-  these moments give me hope for the future in the midst of our crazy that's all too fleeting.

Sam loves to take anything out of something and this bucket did the trick at the beach this week.

Cousins-  I believe this is called parallel play

Last one from the cape...

Corn on the Cob

Sam enjoyed finishing my corn last night 

GMS Burlington Vermont

We headed to Vermont on Sunday afternoon to visit four of our students attending our Navigator summer training program in Burlington VT.  This was the third time we have visited, last year when I was very prego and very hot, the first when we were just married for the day.  When we headed to bed Saturday night, I thought- "this is so crazy!  Who drags three kids to live In a dorm for three days and meet with college students?!"  I fully expected it to go terribly...

In fact, it was amazing!!!  Nate and I hit our stride taking turns watching the kids, accepting help and just having fun doing what we love as a family in a way we haven't figured out how to do at home quite yet.  

Sunday night we went out to dinner and ice cream with the four students from UMass.  We loved hearing how Thier summer was going while walking all over Burlington on a gorgeous night.  Monday and Tuesday morning Nate shared with the staff about spiritual multiplication and practical discipleship.  I got to meet one on one with each student and Nate got to meet with a bunch of the staff guys.  We really had a great time!!!  

Strawberries!

One of my favoritest things about living in amherst is strawberry picking!!!  We get ten quarts this year at our farm share so we have been busy!  

Preschool Celebration

Olivia had an end of year preschool celebration last Friday that we got to attend as a family.  Isaac joined in for a class game, songs, presents and hugs while Sam held the ladies attention:). We have been so happy with Olivia's school experience so far- so thankful for a great place for her!

End of year Navs BBQ

On Saturday we had our end of the year BBQ for navs.  Amazing it's the end of two years here already!

Sam clearly had fun!

Nate and about half the group that came through on Saturday 

Rachel and Sam- we are sad to see Rachel move down south this may but we are so thankful for her and how she helped us relaunch Navs the past two years!

These two ladies, Johanna and Elizabeth ,and one more not pictured, Becky, are headed to our summer training program in Vermont at the end of the month. We are so excited for all three of them! You can pray for their growth, financial support and good jobs in VT.

And Olivia and Isaac had fun too:)