Birthdays!

We have 3 September birthdays, but wound up with four parties (it's complicated). I won't try to explain the ins and outs of it all. Suffice it to say it was "good times."

Air Force Ball

Mike's boss and his father

Good friends Mike and Allyson

Allyson and me

Col O'brien and Gen Simmons  (boss and neighbors)

Only picture together

Anzivino Wedding

Zach was the ring-bearer at cousin Sarah Beth's wedding

He was so proud to buy his own suit, says he feels like James Bond

Z loves the cheek to cheek photo

Aunt Jennifer and Sarah before the wedding

Uncle Mike and Sarah before the wedding

Proud parents before the wedding

Just give him a few minutes and he'll be crying like a baby over his little girl

Gorgeous mother of the bride watching Sarah come down the aisle

Matt first time he sees Sarah coming down the aisle

Dave does a scripture reading (tears, lots of tears)

Just married!

Newly married with grandparents

This was the best shot we could get though Z was tired of pics and crying!

Long-armed self portrait of mom and Will

Bridget having fun at the reception

Where is red-eye reduction when you need it (or a good graphic designer?)

Z insisted on the shades, said it made him look more like James Bond

Downs sibs

Mike, me, Bridgie and Dave

Zach was quite the dancer, though we were unable to capture it, we DEFINITELY need a new camera

seriously, any recommendations for a good camera?..he was a MACHINE!

Fingerlakes vacation

On short notice we got a place at the finger lakes, so beautiful

All the boys learned to Kayak, Will became an expert

Z on his first run in the kayak

Family go-carting, mom wins first round, then is beaten by her guys (OK, had to prove dominance first before letting them beat me...hmm, what kind of mom does that?)

Seneca Falls hike with 19 waterfalls

Will explores a stream

This was a different hike with a waterfall you could swim under

Boys had as much fun skipping rocks as swimming

Family fun at the waterfall, Z in particular

Searching for the perfect rock

We did a driving wine tour around Seneca lake

So hard to get a pic with everyone happy, eyes open, and focused!

Dad and guys at Seneca falls

We spent much of our time on the water

When we weren't on the water, the guys (ahem, not me) spent most of the time fishing

Nothing like a hot cup of coffee on an overcast day which calls for a fleece in August

Hanging out by the lake (did I mention I LOVE the fleece weather?)

Since we were behind a waterfall, Mike insisted on quoting Hawkeye from our favorite movie "Last of the Mohicans": "You be strong, you survive, you stay alive, no matter what occurs! I will find you, no matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you!" (OK, I did swoon a bit, but only a few seconds, it was very wet back there!)

Did I mention we spent lots of time on the water? There was lots of competition and many attempts to tip each other over (boys will be boys)

Jake does the victory dance when we win a race to the dock

The first day fishing we used fake bait to no avail

They persevered with no luck, but it was fun regardless

I started on a tranquil lake and got caught in a thunderstorm far from shore, paddling against the wind/waves and the wakes of motor boats trying to get to shore...felt very lucky that I didn't get struck by lightning!

Real worms made all the difference!

Will was the servant, spent most of his time untangling lines and baiting the hooks

Such concentration

First fish, followed by at least 20 more, who knew fish preferred live worms to plastic?

Seneca lake dock, Dad: "close your eyes and open on count of 3!"

Jake and Z feeling very grown up because their grape juice looks like wine

Great breakfast before a hike

View from our dock, we will remember it as one of our best vacations, and will DEFINITELY go back...to the same house. What a dream it was.