{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}~ August 16, 2015

Wow, the past five weeks have been a whirlwind of good times, but it has left me exhausted~ a good kind of exhausted, the kind where you *know* the effort was completely worth it and so you also have a great deal of satisfaction to go along with the exhaustion.  First, there was a week spent in Dallas at the Consortium for Classical and Lutheran Education conference, plus a day of sightseeing afterward.  After that, we spent a week preparing for a three-week stay by Elizabeth and her family, which included a birthday party for both her girls to which all the extended family within driving distance was invited.  As I said, good times and so completely worth the effort!

{Pretty}

I will try to chose the best of the best, but it is very difficult to pare down the hundreds of pictures we took over the past five weeks.  I will try not to be overwhelming.  First of all, this bit of loveliness is from the grounds of Messiah Lutheran Church in Dallas, TX.

And then there are these bits of loveliness~

Verity, almost 1yo

Arane, 3yo

My daughters, Hannah and Elizabeth

{Happy}

We visited some local points of interest with Lizzie and family.  Here are a few highlights~

Rockbridge State Park

Rockbridge State Park

Local garden immaculately maintained by a
prominent insurance company for public use

A different part of the same garden

And again. . .

And a couple of the birthday party, which included uncles and aunts and great-aunts and great-uncles and great-grandmothers and cousins and grandparents . . .  Arane's birthday is in June and Verity's is in August, so we thought a joint party would be a fun way to celebrate and also provide a reason for everyone to get together.  Not that we really need a reason other than we like to be together! :)

{Funny}

When you are three-years-old and you are painting a birdhouse all by yourself, it is absolutely imperative that you also paint your baby sister.

{Real}

This is what happens when a 3yo gets a hold of your camera . . .

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