Summer Recap

How did I let the summer slip by without posting @ all?
I guess with the birth of my third child, county fair, west coast visitors and a 10-day vacation to Oregon, kept us busy to say the least.
Our third child arrived on June 12th at 2:20 a.m. Jacob surprised us all by tipping the scales at 11 pound, 9 ounces and stretched out to 20 inches long. He is a FAT and HAPPY baby and we are completely in love. He was very much welcomed home by us all, including his big brother Tyler and big sister Cassie. They adore him!!
My sister, Cathy, flew out surprising me to help for the week. The stars must aligned because she flew out on the day Jacob was born. She helped cook, clean and tend to the older kids, while also helping me adjust to a family of five and my postpartum state. Poor Tyler, he kept wondering "When is my mom coming home!" Cathy assured him that we would get to come home, and when we did, he was nothing but smiles!
A month later, Cathy flew back, along with her middle child, Colby, 6 and niece Rebecca and family friend Richard. There visit stretched out over 10 days and the Jersey kids loved it, as did I! The temps were hot and humid, but fun was had by all! The kids showed their calves at the fair, rode the rides, went to movies and to water parks. Richard kept everyone hydrated and fed well and Cathy snuggled with baby Jake every chance she got.
In early August, the kids and I flew 2,000 miles out to Oregon to visit my family. We were able to spend a few days at my sister's lake house cabin that has a fabulous view and the environment was amazing. Kids swam, tubed, snorkeled, knee board and laughed. It was so fun to watch them on the water and it was so much for to enjoy time with my sisters. My parents loved meeting grandchild #16 and I was so glad to spend time with them.
Now we are back in the grind of another school year. The kids are doing really wonderful at it, esp. Tyler. He absolutely loves 1st grade and is "rockin' it!" I hope the momentum continues and is contagious to those around him. Cassie is in pre-school and is doing swimming and tumbling. She is doing great, too.
A few snaps from the summer. I hope to be better at blogging on a regular basis. This will be my goal!