Rooms With a View

NEW CAR!

We finally picked up our new car. It is not new new but it is new to us. Our old van was a 2001 and our new van is a 2005. The great thing about this car is that it is so similar to our old one so I have no new buttons to learn.

Psych! This was our rental, a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan. I actually did not like it.

This is my new baby! We are interested in names. The side doors can be opened via a button or the remote automatically. 

Pretty don't you think?

The back also opens up automatically. This is my favorite feature!

Have a great weekend!

REUNION!

Patrick's beautiful girlfriend spent 7 days at the beach with her family. Patrick went a little crazy without her. I had my camera ready when she over.

So happy!

First kiss in a week!

We all missed her and hope she never leaves again!

BULLET MOBILE!

Last week while Charlie, the kids and I were looking for a new car, Charlie suddenly noticed that something was wrong with the side of our PT Cruiser. Here is what he saw...

Charlie took the car in to our local repairman who thinks the big hole is where a bullet went in and then it ricocheted and made the smaller bulge below. 

A bigger view. We have no idea when this happened or where. It could have happened on the road to our house where people do hunt. Thank God no one was hurt. We are not having the best luck with cars! We did buy a new van to replace our totalled van. Photos soon. Today is my last day of Jury Duty!!!!

STUNNING AND STUDLY!

Last week, Vinny's adorable friend Alexa came over for a little pool time. Photos were a given.

A laughing Stud.

Alexa could almost touch.

Not quite.

My stud-muffin.

Trying to look cool. The girls are imitating Mitchell.

Almost.

Click on this photo so you can see a close up of Mitchell.

Finally.

Noodle war.

Two beauties!!!! Today is my first day of Jury duty. I am hoping to be sent straight home. I will keep you posted.

END OF THE HOLIDAY!

After we did fireworks the neighbors came out to say hi. Then the kids played some basketball. We discovered that Patrick is actually quite the player even without shoes on.

The neighbors. This is Levi's family. You know Levi, he is the brave young man serving in Afghanistan with the Marines.

Vinny and Jessie watching the boys shoot basketball.

Mitchell guarding Patrick and Ben guarding Allen.

Well, that concludes the Fourth of July photos. I hope you had a great weekend!

FIREWORKS!

More photos from our 4th of July celebration!

When I was finished taking pictures of my LAX kids, I noticed the sky was looking a little dark so we decided it was time to eat before the storm hit. We have been getting storms every night this summer. They don't last long and they do cool it off quite a bit.

Mitchell enjoying his steak.

Patrick ate all of his steak and then had some chips. He won't eat a baked potato.

Beautiful Vinny!

And my handsome honey!

After dinner we waited for the rain to stop and for the sun to go to bed then we went outside to light off a few fireworks.

Patrick smoking a sparkler.

Sparkler in one hand, cig in another.

Vinny and her sparkler.

Mitchell smoking a sparkler. No cig in his other hand.

Ready for the big guns.

One of my favorite shots.

Charlie reading directions!

We had some really awesome fireworks that exploded in the air but I could not get a photo of them so you will just have to believe me.

I still have a few photos left so I will post those on Monday. Have a great weekend!

RED, WHITE & BLUE!

Here is how we celebrated the 4th of July...

Charlie grilling steaks.

Patrick ate some chips.

The steaks.

We also swam earlier but I did not take any photos. Next, well, this will surprise you...

Yes, I know you are so surprised that the kids played some Lacrosse.

Patrick even played.

My favorite shot!

Mitchell.

Vinny.

Mitchell going for one of Patrick's high throws.

Vinny.

Patrick pointing his stick at me.

Patrick running for the ball.

More on the festivities tomorrow!

A BREAK FROM LAXIN!

On Sunday, a few of Mitchell's Lacrosse friends came over for a little pool time. Despite feeling like crap from our car accident, I managed to take a few photos. I am so thankful that Mitchell has made new friends. They are a great group of young men who I adore and admire!

Patrick is in the background. Mitchell is on Ethan's shoulders and then Justin is on his brother Tanner's shoulders. I hate chicken fights.

Ethan is on top, Justin on the bottom. They are both going to be seniors next year. Ethan is one of the best Lacrosse players in the country.

Vinny is never one to back away from a good chicken fight. She can be just one of the guys!

Vinny held her own against Ethan.

Justin.

I finally asked them to stop the chicken fighting and do some tricks off the board for me.

Justin.

Justin.

Mitchell.

Ethan.

Tanner.

Vinny.

Mitchell.

Tanner watching his brother Justin.

Justin.

Vinny watching Mitchell.

Vinny.

Mitchell.

Tanner.

Ethan.

Mitchell.

Tanner.

Vinny.

Great splash photo.

Last but not least, Ethan!

Holiday photos tomorrow!

OFF TO EDISTO!

Last Tuesday, Vinny left for a week at Edisto Island with her friend Raven. Raven's grandparents own a house there. Edisto is about 4 hours from here. I hear it is beautiful and I would love to visit. I took a few photos before she left.

Waiting to be picked up.

This is the back of the truck that they were riding in. Three bikes, two dogs and four peoples luggage. 

Vinny & Raven calming the dogs down before the long ride.

Rob is the dad, little brother Franky, Raven and Vinny.

She came home Sunday night. I missed her terribly but she had a great time! She took 113 photos and only one of her. I will post a few of her photos tomorrow. I hope you had a great 4th of July!

HOME FROM CHARLOTTE!

When we arrived home from Charlotte last weekend, the first thing Patrick did was take a shower. The second thing he did was to hug and kiss his girlfriend, Maddy. Then, he decided to pick up a Lacrosse stick and throw with Vinny. 

Throwing the stick up in the air.

Mitchell has turned Jordan onto Lacrosse. He got his new stick and Mitchell strung it for him.

Patrick playing peek a boo with the left over net from Jordan's stick. Have a great weekend!