The End of the Summer

Well, unfortunately, I have done it again. I guess it is not unusual to get behind on blogging when times get busy, but I am afraid that in my attempt to play catch up, a lot of great details will be left out. I admit that the task has seemed so staggering that I have put it off for a few weeks. But today I decided that even taking a small step forward would help me to overcome my hesitancy.

During the rest of the month of August we were able to spend a lot of time with Janelle and her family. I took a trip back up to Boston with Evan, Nathan, and Grandma Foulk a few days after Emily's shower. Emily didn't drive up with us but flew up on the weekend and then drove home with us.

Janelle's husband, Scott, took a few days and went to Utah for his brother, Michael's, wedding. He actually took Alan with him and they were able to see family and have family see Alan. We were able to help Janelle a little for the several days he was gone and we got to spend some one on one time with Baby James. Scott and James got home late Friday and we were able to spend the weekend with them as well.

Evan holding baby James for one of the first times

Great-Grandma Foulk gets to snuggle her newest little great-grandson, James

Playing a little Phase 10 with Evan

Evan and Alan sitting on the ducks in Boston Common

Riding the swan boats in the Boston Common.....I think that's a smile?

Those are definitely smiles!!

And Grandma had fun on the boats as well

Evan in the Boston Common Frog Pond

Here's the crew enjoying some ice cream

"Let's go over here, Daddy."

James in his sweet church outfit

And on his mama's lap

We had an amazing time visiting family in Boston. Megan was at girl's camp that week that we were there. We came back home and a week and a half later the Robertson's came down to spend a few days with us here and in Atlantic City. Here are some pool/basement shots at our house and then some fun ones at the shore.

Alan loved the super squirter and eventually liked getting in with his aunts and uncles, too.

He even let Emily pull him around on this "boat".

Evan enjoying a toss from Dad

A nice smile from Meg

AHHH This is the life!!

Uncle Evan giving a lesson on train building to his nephew

Alan on his horse

James getting a bath at grandma's house

Building a boggle cube tower with Uncle Nate at the condo in Atlantic City

Some creative sunscreen application

James doing some visiting.....not sure with whom...

Reading books at the condo with Aunt Meg

Hmmm, Dad, what do you think we should play next?

With Aunt Meggie

Scott, Alan, Evan, and Steve in the waves

Drip Castles

Taking charge of the beach

These funnel cakes are DELICIOUS

We found a special photo op for James

Riding bikes on the boardwalk

Stopping on boardwalk on the boardwalk :)

Evan, Alan, Grandma, and Nate

Alan heading out into the water with Grandpa and Grandma Foulk

What is that? It looks like Uncle Nate buried in the sand!

There he comes.....Hi, Uncle Nate!!

Meg and Em.....the bathing beauties

Now that's a pizza!!!!

Jill and Steve getting ready to go para sailing for the first time ever

There we are over Atlantic City!!

And coming in for the landing

It was a ton of fun being up there. You could see so far away and it was so quiet.

Here are Nathan and Evan getting ready to go up. Meg and Em went up, too, but once I got back on the boat I got sea sick and couldn't take pictures.

It was a short, but wonderful few days with family in a very fun place. We will have to do it again next summer. Thank you Atlantic City!!!

A Bridal Shower for Em

Megan has been wanting to throw a bridal shower from Emily all summer. She teamed up with Lana Sikahema and got some help from Grandma Foulk and a few other ladies, and pulled off a great Disney themed shower for her sister. Em knew she was doing a shower, but didn't know when. I think we surprised her. Here are a few scenes from our memorable night.

Playing Disney Jeopardy

Eating and trying to figure out the answers

These questions are hard!!!

Emily opening the gifts

Aunt Tracey doing the gift handing honers and passing the bows to Sherrill and Diane to make....

.....THIS GORGEOUS HAT!!!!!

Some of the great ladies who attended can be seen in these next photos....a very fun group!!!

Thanks, Meg. The evening was a smashing success!!!

Fun at the Burlington County Farm Fair

Evan and I spent a morning at the farm fair this year. We have gone some in the past and especially like to go when Tracey's daughters, Kaci and Nikki are competing on their horses. Here are some of the photos from the day.

Hot, but fun!

Nikki on Treasure

Kaci on Chopper

Evan getting cow smooches

Snow cones on a very hot day.....YUM!!!

Evan as a cow....gotta love it.

Sweet Baby James

We welcomed a new little grandson on July 23, 2011. James Thomas Robertson weighed in at 10 lbs. 3+oz. and was over 21 inched long. Janelle came through the delivery fine and is recovering nicely.

We were all anxious to see how big brother, Alan, would do with a new baby. Well, he has done just great. He has had the occasional.."I need you, Mommy" moment, but is so sweet with James. Scott, as always, has been a great husband and father through the big adjustment.

Steve, Megan and I were able to go up and visit for five days from July 29 - Aug. 2. Nate, Evan, Emily, myself, and maybe Grandma Foulk are heading up this next week for another 5 days. It is definitely a plus to have them living only 6 hours away so that we can get up there whenever we are needed.

We are so excited to get back up there to play with Alan and snuggle little James. Here are some photos from our first trip up.

Asleep in Grandma's arms.......so sweet!!

Janelle, James, and Alan

James, Scott and (big helper) Alan

Megan with James (what a proud aunt)

A shot from the middle of the night....James wasn't sleepy.

He just wanted to visit with Grandma :)

A smooch from big brother

It just doesn't get better than this!!!