Why yes, Will, I'd wear rain boots on a walk during a late summers humid afternoon too!

An everyday photo.

Lest you believe that summer has been all fun and games we do normal things like eat kix (notice the cereal in Will's hand) and perhaps less normal but very urgent things like PACK! We are moving about five miles away--from Waltham to Watertown--and boy, we've acquired quite a bit since our last move! I suppose gaining a bedroom and a child will do that...

Swimming Lessons

I enrolled David in his first formal activity--swim lessons at the YMCA. They were once a week on Friday for 8 weeks this summer. We really loved his teacher. I was honestly surprised at how non-daring he was in water especially when you consider his normal behavior!

Here is a photo taken on the last day of swim class.

Even though we missed two classes for vacation David did better by the end. I had hopes of him being put in the next level but he'll have to wait until he is three.

Free Friday Flicks

I took a break from packing and headed to the Hatch Shell to see UP with David and friends. It was the last movie of the summer and I wished we could have seen more. David always enjoys a train ride...

David with Laura and her girls, who wouldn't like attention from these cuties?!

David did well and watched most of the "grandpa show." He sat with the girls at the beginning and ended up on my lap at the end. We were a little sad to leave William and Brad at home but I figured Will would be a lot happier in his bed than out at a very late show.

Some of us had too much fun...

It was here (not in my previous train riding post) that I almost got us back on the subway going the wrong direction. I was so distracted chatting with someone who noticed my BYU sweatshirt that I almost got all of us going down to Quincy not back to Waltham. Oops! It was good to spend one of our last summer nights with friends.

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye

Saturday:

Danielle was so very helpful to me this summer; who wouldn't like a pair of extra and willing hands with two little boys around? She worked full time and was still really great about contributing to our little household. David still refers to her as "my Danielley." We decided to treat miss Danielle to a Legal Seafoods dinner to say thanks and goodbye.

Eating the first bite of that tasty New England clam chowda.

Look at that yummy seafood dinner!! This was a treat, in fact the last time we ate here was with my Mom the night before William was born. I guess it is becoming a once-a-year-when-visitors- are-around-tradition.

Sunday:

David on his last Sunday with Danielley

William

The auntie with her favorite nephews!

The signature silly face...

It was nice to have Danielle come to our ward on her last Sunday, we normally had lots of juggling between taking her to work, her getting to church, and us picking her up.

Monday:

A blankie shot.

We often joke that William is Danielle's kid. We think he looks quite a bit like her, and already has formed an attachment to a blankie. My Mom had to hide Danielle's tickle blankie to keep her from taking it to BYU.

Breakfast with Sarah, a friend from work.

At the airport:

We had to channel all that energy somewhere!

Pretty sure she left with more than she brought!

One last picture, clearly Will is unhappy with the Danielle leaving situation.

I really thought my boys would be affected after Danielle left but I think taking her into the airport and saying goodbye there solved that problem. I was a surprised that David didn't ask where Danielle had gone for weeks. I was a little sad to see her go but with so many thing on the horizon for fall like MOVING I was ready to get cracking...

To spend so much time with my sister was gift. I don't when we'll be able to do that again.

LOVE YOU DANIELLE!

And love you too Brad, thanks for being so willing to have a house-guest for 3 months!

JFK Birthplace

We've spent the summer learning everything about the Kennedy family, especially Rose and Joseph Kennedy, JFK's parents. Danielle studied a lot to prepare for her tours and we ended up with all the details. As you can imagine we were anxious to see the house and the tour after more than one trip to drop Danielle off for work. We finally made it during Danielle's last week there.

Park Rangers eating lunch, did you know that they are required to wear their hats outside?

I must say Danielle did an excellent job and I really enjoyed myself. I was only moved to tears twice!! She had some really sweet little stories about the family and the first four Kennedy kids that lived there. This is one of those things that you would never really plan time to see, but I'm glad we did. I wasn't alive to understand the impact that JFK and all the Kennedy's had on America but I think especially being in Boston it is something important to learn.

A photo in the gift shop afterwards.

Sorry Danielle, I just can't get enough of that cute uniform!

Brad was very tired of pictures at this point.

Thanks to the National Parks Service for hiring my sister and allowing our whole family a very fun summer.

For Comparisons Sake

Playing in the toy box November 2009

Playing in the toy box August 2010

Wow. Nine months will do a lot, especially for Will!

Seen at a Birthday Party:

It was Tessa's 2nd Birthday but I get the feeling David thought it was for him too...