Helloo, Summahtime!

Summer is finally here, and it is littered with fun opportunities!  We are packing our days with as many friends and outings as we can -- soaking it all in.  

Last week, Rachel kindly hosted one more play date for all the gals and our slew of kiddos.

Seizing the chance to celebrate our sweet Julia, albeit a little belated.

The water table: a mega hit every time.

Future fireman Zane

Kaia in her super stylish suit that I'm totally coveting!

me & Nolan, Julia & Reed, Kamber & McKinley

Peek-a-boo!

Great shot of this pretty friend.

And so they went two by two...

...until their mom caught up!

We knew it was time to break out the cookie cake when more and more kids started wandering off.

PS - Corralling kids is what Steph does best!

Addison and Somebody Schmitt (sorry girlies - you're a mystery in those hats!)

Sweet baby Thor, who isn't a baby anymore!

And such cute little fingers grabbing her goodie from Mom.

Charlie was enjoying every bit -- even the bits stuck to the bottom of his foot.  Yuck!

Steph and Kamber

Nicole and me

 (Rachel, I totally failed to get a good shot of you! bah!)

These three have been sweet friends for literally their whole lives.  It's been so great to have watched them grow from teensy babes into these crazy fun 4-year-olds.

Kaia, Addison, Charlie

Then came the goodbyes.  

This was the last time the Schmitts, Dufendachs and Sviggums would see each other for a looooooong time.  (or as Charlie put it: for a WHOLE WEEK.... even though it's more like a year or more)

Sweet pic of Charlie hugging Nicole.

Sweet hugs all around!

Bro and sis Charlie and Ellie hugging... 

Poor kids didn't quite get who was supposed to be saying goodbye to whom!

Nothing like a big goodbye hug from your BFF in his unnuhweahs.

Charlie and Addison

Sweet little Thor and Steph.  These pics show so much of the love we have for each others' kids.

We didn't get a pic of Nicole, Steph or Rachel saying goodbye, but it's just as well -- the waterworks were in full effect for all!  What a treasured time of life this has been.