The Florida Kees in MD

Now THIS is what our FRONT PORCH is FOR! My cousin Patrick, my brother, and I have seven kids five and under between us. (Check out the adorable chubster, Malcolm, over there--Patrick & Alyson's third & the youngest of the bunch. Alyson's blog is frequently read here!) They stayed for two nights and now we're having withdrawal.

We had such an easy time reconnecting. Some of us had seen them last summer on the farm, but we'd not all been together since Christmas 2006. It was awesome watching the kids enjoy one another. Aidan was thrilled to pal around with Patrick's son Henry, and our day at the zoo was exciting to say the least (the lion even roared for us!!)


"Tweet, tweet!" The kids do their best baby bird imitation inside the huge, fiberglass nest at the zoo. (I can't believe you can see all their faces!)

And THIS is what our BACK YARD is FOR!! The still picture captured Aidan's & Henry's goofy faces, and the video clip captured the constant motion--pretty much summarizing life for those of us with small children.

Thank you, Florida Kees, for making a stop here on your trip. We loved the hours of discussion & sharing in one another's lives. These little connections go a long way.

Here we go 'round the mulberry...

...pie! There is a huge mulberry tree across the street, and our neighbors have graciously let us (again!) enjoy its harvest. The girls LOVE picking & eating them--although they are even messier than cherry blossoms when tracked into the house. And while they make a rather mild pie, it beats the soybean one for sure! (Post inspired by cousin Alyson, who has been harvesting pears in her back yard.)

"Be joyful at your feast--you, your sons & daughters...for the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest & in all the work of your hands, & your joy will be complete." (Deut.16:14-15)

The Asian Market

Sung Ko is a really nice guy. If our lives were a sit-com, he would be the character who shows up, "Kramer-style", to get wrapped up in an adventure. Some of his past adventures include: rescuing us from the side of a busy interstate in the middle of a night...accompanying Alan on a whirlwind drive to NYC to audition for "Who Wants to be a Millionaire"...flying to OR the same time Di's son Alex went to visit Amy to have a "cool singles" hang out week...crashing weddings (can you believe the bride & groom usually LOVE it?)..."knowing someone" who could find Alan the kind of golf-ball washer that is used at golf courses.... The stories about Sung are varied, colorful, really funny, and full of kindness, and there are a TON of them.
Last week Sung helped Di shop at the Asian market for a dinner she was hosting. Did I mention Sung is a really good cook? So is Di, and together they shopped for an Asian-themed meal that was a real treat for her guests. Di used our camera (I'd left it in her van from the beach day), for some photo documentation.

And here's a bonus: Tim & Di and their kids left this morning for OR (click on "It's a Wonderful Life" for updates of their Westward Ho outdoor adventure vacation with Amy) and gave us ALL the leftovers from their frig. In Hamiltopia style, we will be enjoying "Malaysian Dipping Sauce" and many other treats for the next few days.

So thanks, Sung, Di, and all who continually contribute to the Hamiltopian pot of good will!

A Day at the Beach!

At her inspiration, Di, Shelley, Laura, and I loaded our kids & a few extras into two vehicles by 7 am and headed to Ocean City, MD, for a delicious day. We toted food, rented umbrellas, and lost ourselves in the soundtrack of the ocean. We didn't leave until after 7 pm, and the only complaints we heard were that we were leaving too soon. (Most vocal--Evelyn!)

I love the picture of Maddie and Evelyn with the wind blowing across them. And did Alex mind being the only guy on the trip? I think he survived well. Amelia actually slept on Shelley & me throughout the day--what bliss! There is nothing like the pure exhaustion of good, clean, outdoor fun.


And where were Liv and Ruthie? In the ocean. All day. I add the clip below because Liv slides ever so briefly onto the beach to greet Evelyn. I only wish I had pictures of everyone. Sigh.

Honoring Fathers

I'm a little late, but I wanted to make sure we shared our love for our dads! First, let me just say what a great father Alan is. He completely and utterly shares the care of our girls, makes up funny games (amiably allowing Evelyn to arrange a crowd of dolls & stuffed animals for a photo opportunity), and is careful about their instruction. He loves his girls--and they know it. (Doesn't little Amelia look LOVED? Ok--like a little Russian immigrant child, but she still looks loved!)

Now for our own dads! Alan and I are blessed with fathers who are devoted to our moms, who study and teach God's Word, and whose hearts melt for their grandchildren. They both prioritize and value people, and are good conversationalists. They are both very handy--my dad with a pen and Alan's with a toolbox--and are men we look up to, trust, and desire to emulate. We love you!!

School's out!

It was actually out last week, but it's been a little busy since then. I took Evelyn with me on the last day, just to experience my school's traditional "parade of buses." All the students load up, the staff comes out onto the bus platform, and the buses circle the loop several times honking their horns as we wave, play loud music, and even dance. It's a great way for everyone to end the school year. I thought Evelyn was so cute standing there waving along with everyone else!

Thank you, Sunday School Teachers

While we know we, as parents, have the responsibility of teaching spiritual truths to our children, making Scripture and God real and accessible, and applying it daily to the nitty gritty of life, it is a blessing to know that there are other people teaching our children, too. Evelyn's Sunday School class has been studying Psalm 23 , and a week or so ago she started singing "The Little Wooly Lamb" song. It made me want to thank all those who so graciously, generously, and sincerely share Jesus with children--especially those doing it with ours!

And speaking of Sunday School, Evelyn prayed tonight for her class by name. It went like this: "Tyler...Sophia...Juli...Ryan...Kate...Bashful...Sleepy..." she was unable to continue because I was laughing so hard.

You know you're getting older when...

...you plan to go to another of the many enjoyable retirement celebrations you've been to over the years and, instead of being asked to write a silly song or do an impersonation or perform a skit, you are asked to...give the invocation.

How to stay cool in a heat wave...

Part Five (the finale!): TUESDAY

Have a belated birthday party! That cute little guy is my nephew, Aidan, and he turned 3 the same day Amelia turned 2 (amazing planning, don't you think?). My folks threw this celebration since they'd been on vacation in Canada on their actual birthdays. Check out the red Moose shirts they brought back (finally, all four kids will STAY on the couch for a picture--I chose this one because Amelia looks like she's cheering at a game. Aidan looks a little wiped, but the video below may explain why.) And how nice that, just as we arrived for the party in the heat of the day, the clouds rolled in, the skies opened up, and the earth was cooled by a dramatic series of thunderstorms and hail.

"Black bottom cupcake, anyone?"

And what is THE game at Grandma & Opah's? The "run while Grandma plays piano" game! Watch Aidan's intense focus as he navigates his way through the girls. Now we know why they call him "Dash." And yes, Grandma is playing "Roll Out the Barrel." Barrel of FUN, of course. And it WAS.
(

How to stay cool in a heat wave...

Part Four: MONDAY

Go to a pool! Cousin Darcy invited us to her parents' pool, and we, Courtney, Anna & Aidan said YES! I only took these pictures (sorry!), but I promised Alan I would carefully supervise (he knows how distractible I am.) The "big" girls were regular fish, and Courtney made up a game for the more cautious Aidan & Amelia, which I did manage to capture on video.

Darcy, if your parents wondered about the egg shells in the mulch, I apologize--we ate our picnic supper in the yard and I'm afraid I let the girls peel their own hard boiled eggs and chuck the shells. Unfortunately, this would not be the first time I've been known to toss food-stuff into shrubbery, but those are stories for another time.

How to stay cool in a heat wave...

Part Three: SUNDAY
Celebrate an anniversary! Uncle Steve and Aunt Joan, in the style of one of their favorite movies, "Babette's Feast," threw a huge, wonderful, delicious party for three tables of their family and friends. It was a magical night as they and others shared how, in 40 years of marriage, they have learned that there really is true love, and that it is accessed through faithfulness, hope, passion, and dependence on a magnificent God.

Here is the beautiful couple and the table of cousins with whom we laughed until we almost cried. THANK YOU, Uncle Steve and Aunt Joan, you are two of our favorite people, and we praise God that we have true celebration in our hearts as we say:
Happy 40th Anniversary!

How to stay cool in a heat wave...

Part two: SATURDAY

Di's daughter, Liv, the girls, and I took a drive to the Ranch (stopping at a yard sale en route) and cooled ourselves in the stream. John & Jo's kids were there, too, but I only managed to photograph Abby and the latest addition, Wyatt.

It's amazing how interesting a stream is. We had no toys (although Abby & Liv used their flip flops to for some thrilling downstream races), and yet spent two hours splashing, walking, exploring, soaking, and climbing up and down the little bank. It was not a happy scene when it was time to go, although another healthy lesson in practicing contentment even when one has to stop doing something one really LOVES. (It occurs to me as I write this that I really must stop blogging tonight and go to bed!)

We enjoyed a spontaneous visit with John & Jo as we picnicked in their welcoming back yard, and on the way home we stopped at a flea market. I think Liv spent about $4 all day and had two bags of stuff to show for it. She even had her first successful bartering experience--she talked a woman down from $2 to $1 for a really cute purse, and she never even blinked. Liv also gave me my favorite current quote: "When you make the right choices, you don't feel guilty." There was more to it, but she'd have to be here for me to get it right. Later that night, Tim & Di, their kids, Sung Ko and we all ended up sitting on our front porch eating ceviche (from our Peruvian/Mexican place across the street) and enjoying the very Hamiltopian lively discourse!

How to stay cool in a heat wave...

Part One: FRIDAY

So it's finally HOT in Baltimore (before you Floridians roll your eyes, I have a recently-transplanted Floridian colleague who said today that it is HOTTER here than it is in Florida. AND, more humid. I admit, it was hard to believe, but fun to post.)

Jessica called and we made an impromptu Hamiltopia play date! We combined our meals and spent the entire afternoon and evening in swim suits. It was a blast, and I don't think we once thought about heat. There were so many fun pictures and videos it was hard to decide which ones to post, so I went for the ones that contained all the kids. Well, except for the adorable picture of Christine, which I could NOT resist.

In-Law Hang Out

Cousin-in-law Darcy and sister-in-law Courtney lingered with the kids while the guys played golf after Sunday lunch. (Five year old Anna is perched on the tugboat below. And yes, they are all holding Disney princesses. Courtney gave a set to Amelia for her birthday--a HIT!

The girls, as usual, had to take some pictures themselves. The feet you see are Anna and Aidan swinging in the two-person swing my mom scored at a yard sale. You can see Anna captured in Evelyn's other photo.

And I think the super-cute look on Darcy's face further indicates the toddler behind the camera!

Lunchbreak in the Moonbounce!

Last Friday was "Moonbounce Day" at my school, and Alan brought the girls over during lunch to enjoy it. Imagine their thrill at the giant Disney princess castle! (Alan was thrilled it had a basketball hoop inside, although he said "no" when I asked if I could post the video of him doing 360 slam dunks.) Many thanks for the Booster Club parent who ordered it!!

Amazing Hobby...

I did it again. I applied for the Amazing Race for the fourth time. Esther agreed to be my latest partner (you can never apply w/the same person twice), and Alan said that he'd be behind me 100% if we got on the show. (I think by this time he's getting a feel for whether or not it will actually happen.)

Anyway, we enjoyed filling out the ba-zillion-paged application & making our very short video. In retrospect I should have listed "applying for the Amazing Race" as one of my answers to "what are your hobbies?" I would sure love to be on the first all-female team to win that race!

We celebrated the application completion by taking the girls to a playground for a picnic supper--I felt a sense of pride when we went into 7-11 to pick up supper (I know, I know--how can I give up shopping at Wal-Mart & Target and still go to 7-11?) and they chose bananas, trail mix, pretzels, and a fruit medley from the refrigerated section. I celebrated THAT by getting a Diet Coke!
These are pictures Amelia & Evelyn took of each other. Not bad, eh?

This is why we bathe...

...and one of the reasons the girls love the back yard. Thank you, Mom, for the second-hand sandbox. The human snickerdoodle phase must be a rite of passage for toddlers. (Click on the picture of Amelia to enlarge it and get the full crunch-factor effect.)