Mooserific!

We had the best time celebrating the Fourth of July with the Sammut Family at their Harbor Beach Michigan lake house. We swam, kayaked, walked the long stretches of sandy beach, helped them break in their brand new jet ski and “private island” float, enjoyed family dinners, roasted s’mores, played games, taught Daisy to retrieve balls from the lake, hunted for lake treasures, played games, and more! The girls said these were there favorite things: jet skiing (Gwen), everything (Josie), and performing skits on the beach with Bella and Sophie l (Abby). Gwen summarized the way we all felt “best vacation ever!”

Here’s a crazy story for the memory books… we’re driving up to Michigan today, stopped at Target an hour from our destination and discovered that Gwen’s left foot was super swollen, hard to the touch. She stepped on a bee last Saturday. No reaction. Just pain. Past couple of days, she’s complained of itching. Now it’s crazy swollen! What do you do? We’re approaching a rural area and so I called our doctor. Talked to a nurse. She thought infected. Sent them a message and picture. Long story shortened, after 2 hours and $10 we were back on the road with an antibiotic, some Benadryl, a much happier kid, and super relieved parents!

We had the best time vacationing in Bryson City, just South of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with Em and Chris (who planned the trip and let us join them). We loved boating and swimming in the crystal clear waters of the lovely, unspoiled Lake Fontana. Josie was especially fond of tubing, a first for the girls. Gwen and Abby were fearless adventurers at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Josie and I preferred zip lining to climbing, and we’re so grateful when our guide, Hunter, graciously, showed us how to navigate the high ropes course. We drove there and home through Gatlingurg and Pigeon Forge. Although the shake machine at Mapco was a hit, we now know that we can avoid vacationing at Gatlinburg - not our scene!

Eleven! Abby got to celebrate her big day with a picnic with the Sammuts at the MSTC after swim practice (while I attended a memorial for my great uncle Corky) and then later with a special dinner with us and friends at Fifty West.

Final game in a great season! This was the Liberty Cup tournament; lost the first two games but everyone (truly everyone) played an incredible final game and they won 2-1. Tryouts up next!

We loved getting to see the fifth grade band perform. They’ve come a long way since they started playing in January. (Abby is near the middle in an orange shirt playing the clarinet.)

Abby has been very enthusiastic about snakes since overcoming her fear of them a few days ago.

This morning she was sharing a website for a snake convention when Josie gasped. We expected her to have seen a terrifying anaconda, but no.

“COMIC SANS!”

“If either of us score a goal at our rec game, we’re going to chest bump.” Josie scored the first goal, right over goalie’s head. Chests bumped!

“Mom, this feels like fiction,” says Josie. Record set for April with 2.5 inches of snow!

MASC tournament semi finalists!

Kolping Memorial Tournament finalists: just for the 2012 players, no subs, rain, and still the girls won their first three games! Lost the final, but still proudly received trophies.

One year later, we finally took our trip to Savannah! We squeezed in time downtown and at both Hilton Head and Tybee Island beaches. The girls loved splashing in the ocean; Daisy too, but it was cold! Daisy and Sammy were fast friends.

First club soccer games, part of a tournament weekend. First game was a 2-2 tie in the early morning fog. Girls fought hard in the second game, but lost. Daisy loved meeting everyone.

First club soccer practice for Gwen, Josie, and their friend, Gabby.

Gwen finally got her wish. We welcomed this sweet, smart, slightly feisty girl, Daisy Freckles, to our family on Friday 3/5.