a backyard evening.

 

   

a few weeks ago we had such a lovely evening with all the family, in mom & dad's beautiful backyard.  we took our first-ever big family picture (like with all my sisters and their families)--thanks to our amazing in house photographer ashley, and her trusty remote.  the only one missing was shan, who was working in california during that week--we missed her dearly. :( 

after pictures, dad roasted hot dogs and smores for the whole crew. . . no better way to spend an early summer evening!  

before, during and afterwards, all the little cousins marched around the yard picking every last flower in sight (oopsies) and playing in the giant sandbox under the pine trees.  oh, it is such a fun yard.  while the kids played, all the grown ups laughed and talked until the sun went down.  man, i love nights like these. 

and every night i thank my lucky stars for such a wonderful family. 

and hurray! only four more days of school kiddos!  it feels like we are the last school in the state that is still in school. boo. and it is getting soooo hard to wake up in the morning.  except that i know i will have to greet the construction crew in my pj's if i don't get my fanny out of bed.  the thought of that usually does the trick.

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