Scenes from a summer's day

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken." James Dent

First day of school/last day of summer picnic

Well, we got down to some serious schooling today. Officially we started the new year, and from the looks of the concentration that Grace and Mark were displaying this morning-it was very serious business.

But, we could only be studious for so long, so by this afternoon....
we were ready for some end of summer fun.
First, we enjoyed lovely hors d'oeuvres prepared by Grandma. Even Gracie's dolls enjoyed the goodies.

Then we gathered around a campfire in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard. It was a perfect day.

For the past two years, Grandma has wanted everyone to enjoy cooking a hotdog on a stick over a fire. She has very fond memories of her and her parents doing this when she was a little girl. I did remind her that her family at the time consisted of 3 people, whereas, we would be arriving with 12 people ( make that 13-Matt's girlfriend Alexis joined us)

I guess Daddy didn't feel that the normal, ordinary fire was good enough for this hotdot feat, so he added a "little" kick to the fire.
As you can see, we did it. And everyone is smiling and it was very fun. Gracie kept remarking how happy she was because "everyone" was with us today. As the kids grow-up there are fewer times like this when everyone is available to join us for a fun filled afternoon.

Look closely at the previous photo......
Grandma is a non-stick holding trickster---just posing for the picture.LOL She did grab a stick and hotdog when the congestion around the fire thinned out.

Matt and Alexis were a little late arriving, so they earned their own picture.
Grandpa and Gracie spending special time together.
Luke and Grace walking the "dog".

Youngest and oldest
I just love dirty faces, which is good, because there are usually an awful lot around here.

Hotdogs finished, it was on to s'mores. Matt helping out Luke.

Yummy
Yummy and dirty

Just plain dirty( and quite hyper)
Laura's catch of the day.
Grandpa,
as the fire goes out on another beautiful summer.

Scenes from a summer's day...

Trains at Grandpa's house.

Scenes from a Summer's Day

Earlier this week, (before for kids started dropping like flies from a summer virus) Becky took the little kids for a walk in search of some "scenes from a summer's day."

I have seen this flower on other folk's websites and have always thought is was soooo pretty. I assumed that it didn't grow around here, but Becky found a little patch of it right out back.

Butter and Eggs
My all-time favorite North-Eastern USA flower identication site is here. Even though it is a Conneticut site, and we are in Central New York, I have never found a flower that wasn't on this site.

Marching along, into the "wilderness"

Kimberly and Queen Annes Lace.

We brought it home and changed its color by putting it in water with food coloring. (Check science off the list for today's schoolwork)

Gracie is not here, because she started our current sickness.

A favorite spot for a boy

Scenes From a Summer's Day!

Becky's feet

Scenes from a Summer's Day-Family Reunion #1

We had a beautiful day, filled with beautiful family and beautiful fun. This is why I am posting many, many pictures of all the beautiful people that belong to my beautiful family!
Cousins-Sara, Becky,and Emily
Danny and Kimberly
Daddy and Kimberly
Luke spent a lot of time talking to this "Tin Man". We don't know what he was saying, but
he almost punched him.
Gracie is finally beginning to enjoy the water.
I think I can....
I think I can....

I CAN!!!!
Daddy and Uncle Gerry boil the corn.
Beautiful cousins, Laura, Maggie, and Amy
Our miss-firing Mentos and Diet Coke gyser.
Uncle Tim's new hot tub was a HUGE attraction for a large group of cousins.

Aunt Mary and Uncle Tim
The temperature was about 60 degrees when the kids finally got out of the water--they were cold, complete with purple lips, although Mark wouldn't unwrap enough so that I could get a picture of them.

A perfect day ended with a fire, complete with toasted marshmallows, (I mean burned marshmallows!)

I am not really sure what is happening here, but I couldn't resist Gracie's big mouth. I think she was screaming as her marshmallow burned.

The party is over, Mary, put away the camera!