Swim Team 2016

Steven Joseph and Thomas are doing the neighborhood swim team this year. This is Steven's 3rd year to swim (1st year was in Corpus Christi), and Thomas' 1st! We are very proud of both the boys, especially Thomas who was barely swimming at the beginning of the season. He made his first swim across the pool on the Thursday before the practice meet, just in time! Here are some photos of the practice meet and first regular season meet...

Little sis eating her breakfast of champions!

Thomas gearing up for his first (and only) event at the practice meet!

We are so proud of our precious neighbor, Lauren!

The photo is fuzzy, but I think this was my favorite moment of the season, with everyone cheering her on and congratulating her for making it across!

Steven's turn

Best buddies

1st real season meet!

There was a problem with the diving blocks, so the jumped off the side this time.

Leaping Lauren!

Katie loves her Lala!

Loving their snacks from Nene and Papa!

Mama didn't make the 2nd season meet, since it was the day of the baseball championship. We missed the 3rd meet while we were in Florida, and the 4th meet is on the day of the girls' ballet recital, so I probably won't make that one either. Looking forward to the last home meet next weekend!

Mommy

It's the only thing I ever really wanted to be. And to look at my amazing husband and our five beautiful children makes my heart burst for joy, in gratefulness that I've been given such a gift. 

Both Steven and I were graced with the gift of loving, faithful mothers. To grow up in a happy family is a blessing that we don't take for granted. On this Mother's Day weekend, we thanked God for the gift of our mothers. May they both be rewarded for the sacrificial love they have given their husbands and children. 

I have so many more words and photos that I can't seem to find the time to share. For now I'll just bask in the sunlight and waves, at the quiet beach house where we're spending a few days away. I'll share some phone snapshots from the past couple weeks. More photos from the good camera will be forthcoming, once I'm home on the big computer!

Each of these memories I hold close to my heart. Our days have been very full, very busy, and very rewarding! But they've also been so very exhausting! I pray that God gives us the energy for many more years of memories and love with these amazing children!

Mary Clare leading "Food Jeopardy" at 4H

Katie's first time at a splash pad 

First neighborhood swim of the season

Katie at a baseball game with her "happy heart" shirt 

Praying over our sweet friend Johanna the night before her confirmation

Steven and his dad at the beach house last weekend

The kids love the beach!

Baby girl at sunset

Piñata at Uncle Winn's 50th birthday

Swim practice

Practice meet

Beach time!

Playing in the waves with NeNe

Oh to have a soaking tub again!

Monday morning, ready to play in the sand!

Monday afternoon, playing in the rain!

Beach Party Crashers!

Last week Steven had to work in Houston and we wanted to tag along.  We weren't sure where the kids and I were going to stay even the day before, but his sister offered for us to come join a bunch of their family at the beach house they had rented for the week in Surfside since there was extra space after some weekend guests had left.  The kids and I had a blast with the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents and it was just what we needed to help get us through this hot and hard summer!  Only wish that Steven (and the other family members) could have joined us.  Thanks for welcoming us and letting us crash the beach party, B family!  (These are my good camera photos, iPhone photo collages here)

One of my favorites of the weekend...

My lens kept fogging up from here on, so lots of the photos are fuzzy.

Not from the beach, but a few photos from the pool with my parents later in the week...

And a few favorite iPhone photos...

These are all of Steven's dad's "flags" that he has for all his kids and grandkids.  He puts them up whenever we are together.  We just gave him the new one on the left for our "Katie bug."

Grampatti's Birthday

And my other favorite photo of the weekend!  Adorable!

~~~

And I can't end this post tonight without acknowledging the deep loss of dear Aunt Katie this morning.  Here she is smiling at the walk for pancreatic cancer a few months ago.  We hope she has flown swiftly to Heaven and will be praying for all of us!

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her.  

May she rest in peace.  Amen.