10 x 10 = {10}

Okay...I'm not that good at math...but I do know that 10 x 10 is what the temperature reached on Saturday for this little big boy's {10}th birthday bash with the family!

I officially have {10}-5 days until he's the BIG 10...but it's just going too darn fast!  But we celebrated with the family despite me telling him for the last year that he wasn't allowed to turn 10...whatever...  ...sigh...

But Alex throws a good party...and loves having a crowd to entertain!

 

{I love the baby picture of Alex in the corner of this picture next to the chalkboard...where I always announce very important events...still hard to believe it says 10 this time... gulp...}

{Have your guessed the theme yet?}

{the birthday DJ himself!}

 

It was hot hot hot...

...but those who couldn't take the heat...

{Uncle Bill, Uncle John and Dan...made for the shade!}

...jumped...cannonballed...splashed...and relaxed in the pool!

 {Charlie, Hannah and Shelbie}

{Cannonball Sam!}

The kids got pretty good at catching the ball from Aunt Betty...while jumping off the diving board...

{Emily...catch!}

...and while showing off some pretty awesome moves!

{Kendall connects!}

{Sam is ready!}

{Will Emma catch it?!}

{Charlie, don't drop it!}

{goofy girls!}

{meanwhile...Ellie walking in someone else's shoes!}

All those stunts can make a kid hungry...time for a pizza break!

{Marcia giving Ellie a serious talk!}

...and cake and presents!

{Alex's choice...Cold Stone Creamery Cake Batter Ice-cream cake...Mmmmm!  ...made with their cake batter ice cream and red velvet cake topped with sprinkles and Kit Kats!  OMYum!}

{maybe wishing for a new iPad!}

{maybe it will come true...someday!}

{Hannah, Ellie and Shelbie}

Another fun and memorable birthday party surrounded by special loving family {minus Grammy, Aunt Nicole and Hunter, Annie, Jon and Andrew and cousin Julie...who couldn't make it and we missed very much}...

...and my favorite picture of all...

...Great-Grandma Martha who is always the first to say that she will most definitely be at the party, never misses one, always gives every single grandkid and great-grandkid a birthday card...and is always part of the action...sitting inside on this hot day right next to the window watching all the kids having a wonderful time and saying, "Those kids are sure making great memories!"  We are so blessed to have so many family members celebrate these special days and ordinary days with us and she is a {great} part of so many memories made!

Happy {almost} 10th birthday Alex!  We love you!

{Summer}snapshots

By the official calendar, summer has not started yet...but by our calendar...it's been sailing on by already!

We stayed a night away in a little cabin last weekend...

Dan took Alex and Emily to the Indianapolis 500...a yearly tradition that he's continued with the kids, since he was a kid...

{...Ellie and I held down the Manor while they were having fun...}

We made red,white&blue slushies, waved sparklers and caught lightening bugs on Memorial Day...

Tossed water balloons...

Sunny skies...

Rainy days...

Swinging...

Picnicing...

Shopping...

Staying up late...and taking an afternoon nap{if we're lucky!}...

Family pool party...

Campfires...

Ice cream...

Volleyball...

Celebrated Shelbie's high school graduation...

{Congratulations beautiful Shelbie!}

{Elizabeth and Uncle John}

{Did I miss anything?}

It's been a week of fun and sun...and most importantly...no homework!  Hoo-ray for summer!

 
It's only been about a week since we officially started our summer...but it's going so fast...and we are cherishing each day...yet looking forward to summer camps, vacation and more relaxing days by the pool!  Emily loves school and she misses it and her friends...but I am loving having her and Alex home as long as I can!  I'm still a little bit in denial that they will be third and fourth graders very soon...{gulp}

Wish I could push a summer slow-motion button some days...
...sigh...