Guess what? We finally bought a new camera. My favorite thing is that I can take close-up pictures - which is something I could not do with the other one. So...no more excuse for not blogging!

So, what's my excuse for not blogging since Labor Day? Broken camera. We're going to buy one tomorrow - I hope.

It's hard to believe Labor Day is this weekend! It seems like summer just arrived. Here's a clip from the beginning of the summer.

So, here it is August. Guess who's playing summer blogging catch-up?? I'll start with our 8th annual youth beach retreat. We had a great time in Myrtle Beach. It was a small group this year, but that came with some nice advantages - less time waiting on a shower. This is the ever-dreaded group picture.



Brock and Macie loved the beach - until they got sand/salt water in their eyes.

This is Macie's best Baywatch imitation.

Brock was very excited to meet the lifeguard.

This was the highlight of the trip for Brock.
A family picture where everyone is looking at the camera! Not sure what's up with my hair though.
In...
Out...

The first week of August, we were at football camp in Black Mountain. This also happened to be Brock's thrid birthday! We took him to CHuck E CHeese in Asheville.
I'm not sure this is how the game is meant to be played, but you win a lot more tickets this way!
Yummy!
Macie was very fascinated with Brock's hair. She massaged his head for the duration of the pony ride.
THis picture totally cracks me up.
Brock with Chucky...
Brock giving Chucky "pow"...
We also had a little party at our house before we left for football camp. Check out Brock's new ride!
Brock loves to sing "Happy Birthday." Several days a week, I'll know Brock is up from his nap because I''l hear him singing "Happy Brithday Brock and Mace Cate..." So, his real birthday was the best day of his life!
Spiderman, watch out!
Time to upgrade to a "big boy bicycle."
Check out Brady Karaffa - born July 2 (a little belated blogging, sorry) to Rose and Joey. He's such a cutie!!! He weighed in at 11 pounds 5 oz. at birth!!! WOW!
Brock and Macie sat in the stroller while we doted on Brady. My tumb-sucker and my fingers sucker...
How Adam keeps in shape... Weight lifting with small children.
This is Macie's "thug" picture. She insisted on wearing Brock's shoes and hat - backwards.

WELCOME EDEN HOPE! My twin, Danielle, gave birth to Eden on June 20 at 12:01 am, weighing 7 pounds 2 oz. Congrats, Daniel, Danielle, and Bennett!

Sister Bennett and Cousin Brock are so excited about the new baby (and the sandbox)!

Danielle, Eden and a really proud aunt!

Daniel is wearing the mask because he had strep. It makes for great first pictures and an even better story for Eden's babybook!

June 6 - 14 - Adam and I headed to Alaska. A big thanks to my parents for taking us on the vacation - and a big thanks to Adam's parent for watching the kiddos.

We flew into Seattle on Friday. I loved the plane ride because I got to watch "chick flicks" the whole way there - a luxury I never get at home.

We met up with Mom, Dad, Lyd, and David and headed to the Space Needle.

Smiling because the kids are not at the top of the Space Needle with us...

Seattle...

The next morning we went to the Aquarium...

Who knew an otter slept like this?

My favorite was Pike's Market. It's famous for the fish markets where the workers throw the fish across the counter to each other.

Fresh Salmon and Shrimp...

The original Starbucks is located in Pike's market. Adam and Dad stand outside - yawning - clearly not impressed. Lydia (in the white sweater) urgently rushes the door.

Worth every penny...

Our first stop in Alaska was Ketchikan. Bristol's sign is way cooler...
A walk on the wild side (Lydia laughed when I said that renting scooters was "wild.")

ONE...TWO...THREE. I count three fried foods on this plate.

If Rocky had trained in Ketchikan and not in Philly..

Where's the global warming?

Whale watching in Juneau...

Goodbye, Humpback Whale...

It's best not to swim in these waters...