Memere's Birthday and Cousins Day at the Beach

I have been SO bad about taking pictures this summer!! I need to get better.

Case and point, it was my wonderful mother's birthday this past week and this is the only picture I got of the birthday girl. And to be honest, Julie took it!

But bad pictures or not, we celebrated Memere's birthday with a fun little pizza party. The Gasch's came, along with the Banks's. It was a great time.


Julie was dressed for the occasion.

And of course the kids helped bake and decorate a special cake just for their Memere!

Even though there were not the awesome family pictures I would have liked, we had a great time celebrating Mom and all she does for her growing family.

Then yesterday we got a special treat when cousins Summer, Emmanuel and Sophia came over to hit the beach. I took the afternoon off work, scooped up John and the kids and met them there. What a beautiful day it was.

Julie was really into playing in the sand. She is normally much more interested in the water. She did end up soaked head to toe, but built a fun castle complete with dam and mote.

Sophia had NEVER been to the beach before. She was very apprehensive about the sand and water. But she thought chasing her cousin Andy around was pretty fun...as long as mom did all the work!
Even her Dad couldn't convince her.
But it was enough to completely wear her out. Next time they come over (which all us Hunters hope is REALLY soon!!) I am sure we won't be able to keep up with her.