Rooms With a View

SHARKS!

I must a photo of Vinny's latest painting. She was actually hired by her friend to paint this. I am so proud of her and her talent!

Pretty awesome, don't you think. You too can hire her to paint something for you!

BODY PAINT!

On Sunday, as the kids finished their artwork, they decided to paint each other. Since we were outside, I allowed them to go crazy.

Vinny painted this shark coming out of Maddy's swimsuit.

And she signed her name.

Vinny painted Mitchell's back as well. Those tubes are not cigarettes. They are soft tacos.

Maddy painted this on Patrick's back.

And then Patrick painted this on Maddy's back. Maddy painted Vinny's back but I cannot find a photo of it. 

I did not want the kids getting into the pool with paint on them so I told them to go clean up with the hose.

After they swam for a while, they went back to painting.

Patrick and Maddy.

Vinny trying out her new easel.

And Mitchell.

Here is what Patrick and Maddy painted.

And a close-up.

That is it for the painting photos. I hope you enjoyed!

PAINTING!

Yesterday, while we sat around and worried about Charlie and the Swingles who are in New Hampshire, we decided to go to Michael's and pick up some canvases for the kids to paint. They were on sale as were the paints. It helped pass the time and ended up being a ton of fun!

They were inspired by David Bromstad of Color Splash!

Mitchell was channelling his inner Picasso.

It was so great to see Patrick painting. Even as a little boy he hated to color. He and Maddy did a canvas together.

Mitchell.

Yes, they painted in swim suits. Notice the blue paint on Vinny's knee.

Vinny's painting.

Painting canvas turned into painting bodies. 

Mitchell making progress.

The painting duo.

Did this not turn out amazing?!!! Maddy is going to hang it in her apartment.

Mitchell's beach scene with Ukulele.

And Vinny's finished product. I plan on hanging these up in our rec room! I hope my friends and family on the East coast are safe. My husband was due home last night and is now delayed until at least Tuesday night. We were very blessed here in Spartanburg. We had a few breezes which brought us beach smelling air and a few puffy clouds. 

MORE OCEAN LAKES!

Mitchell's friends who took him to Ocean Lakes (Myrtle Beach) took a million photos! Okay, they only took around 500 which makes me happy. We copied them from a CD and now I can share them with you...

Mitchell, in the bright aqua shorts, and his friends surrounded by girls.

Laxin on the beach!

Tanner, Ethan, Mitchell and Landon.

Mitchell.

Mitchell.

Awkward dive. 

Mitchell, Justin, Tanner and Ethan.

Mitchell with Penny Mills, the mom of Justin and Tanner. She and her husband are the kind people that took Mitchell on this great trip.

Penny had them do my favorite jumping pose!

Pyramid. Mr. Mills is on the top. Mitchell is on the bottom.

What goes up, must come down.

And down.

The gang. I have a ton of photos of this trip. I did cut it down, but there are so many great ones. So, expect a few more posts of this trip!

JUMP!

Every year, I take a photo of the kids jumping into the pool on the first day of summer and the last day of summer. I forgot to take one this year until this past Sunday. Maddy was over so since she is part of the family, I included her in the photo.

The first try. Not so good.

A little early. The girls are still getting out of the pool.

As good as it was going to get. I wanted to do one more but the kids did not. Oh well, it will just have to do!

WELCOME GABRIEL BAPTISTE.

Charlie's oldest daughter Bryan, gave birth to her 12th child two weeks ago. Yes, I did say 12. She and Paul now have 10 sons and two daughters. I finally received some photos of the newest Swingle. Charlie flew out yesterday to spend some time with this amazing family. I wish I could have gone instead.

So serious.

David holding Gabriel and Isabella.

I think the young man in green is Vincent along with Isabella and Gabriel.

William holding kissing his new brother.

Loving those long fingers.

Look at that smile! Gotta love Miss Isabella picking her cute little nose.

I cannot wait to meet this little guy!

KIDS & SQUID~

I took some photos of the kids last week to hang in my room. I thought I would share them with you. Get ready for some real eye candy.

Mitchell.

Vinny.

Patrick.

Are they not the most beautiful children you have ever seen?

Vinny decided to paint a squid. She loves everything that is ocean related. She plans on hanging this in her room when I finally get around to moving her into Patrick's room. 

She wants to do a series of different sea creatures. I cannot wait to see what she does next! 

THE LAST FAREWELL!

Miss Anna Muzika stopped by on Saturday for one last visit and to receive our gift. I made her a frame  for her dorm. 

The frame I made her.

The photo I put in the frame. Anna has been a big sister/mentor/coach/ friend to Vinny & Mitchell. We just love her so much!

Opening her gift.

She loved it! Good luck Miss Anna! We love you!

ANOTHER FAREWELL!

Stephanie was Patrick's first girlfriend here in SC. They dated for almost a year. They have remained good friends and she is still a big part of our lives. She is attending The University of South Carolina in Columbia. She left this past weekend. She came by to say her goodbyes a few days before she left.

Mitchell and Stephanie. 

Stephanie and Vinny.

With Patrick.

And with me. We are so proud of you Stephanie and miss you!

SHAGGING TO WISCONSIN!

I have posted about the beautiful Anna Muzika before. She is leaving on Monday for Marquette University where she will play Lacrosse! We are so proud of her and love her so much! She stopped by the other night for a little visit. 

She mentioned that Marquette University is having a square dance next week and she wanted to be able to show her fellow classmates how we shag here in the south. It has been a while since she did this fun dance so Mitchell was happy to help her remember!

Anna dipping Mitchell.

Mitchell dipping Anna.

The pretzel!

 
Ta Da!

My boys arm wrestling. Mitchell can beat Patrick with his right arm which is odd since he is left handed. Patrick can beat him with his left hand. 

Anna and Mitchell. I hope that someday they get married. Then we would have two Anna Paddocks in our family.

Playing with Anna's phone.

Maddy and Patrick.

Patrick's good friend Chris came by as well. He is attending Clemson University this fall. 

Anna and Vinny. Anna has been such a great friend and mentor to both Vinny and Mitchell. We are going to miss both her and Chris! Love you both!