dksquared

Berry Sweet

The kids took to the yard in search of berries one warm afternoon. Degen found his little bucket and a patch of wild strawberries by the swingset to pick. He was earnest in his work and happy with his harvest, though I cannot imagine that the berries tasted very good. No matter, he popped a few in his mouth and gave appreciative murmurs of their deliciousness!

Kyrie headed back to the mulberry tress and pulled berries from one of the low branches. She did not need a bucket for collection because each ripe berry she found went straight into her mouth!

Degen made his way back to the mulberries as Kyrie headed for the garden where she found our lone ripe raspberry and promptly picked it to pluck in her mouth! That evening, Darren would find our first ripe blueberry and let her have it also. In my mind, I had visions of canned berries, but now I am unsure of how many berries will actually make it past the children!

Hello, Gorgeous!

It has been neat to watch Kyrie grow into a little diva! Though she can get filthy from head-to-toe in play and would be happy to spend most days in her pajamas, she will often stretch on tiptoes to inspect her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Lately, she has started to inquire about the cuteness of her outfits and test out how she would like for me to do her hair for the day (most often, a pony tail or pig tails wins out). She is very lucky to have doting grandmothers who keep her clothed in the latest fashions. Before meeting the family for dinner over Memorial Day weekend, she was so taken with a new dress that she put on a little fashion show (posing on the vanity of the hotel bathroom). Here is our gorgeous girl looking very grown up for her evening out! (She got several compliments on her dress- thank you, Nana Billie!)

I love the way she held her hands for so many of these photos! So sweet!

Love this photo!

Not to be left out, here is Master Degen with the latest in summer fashion for boys!

Bathing Beauties!

The kids were thrilled to meet their cousins at the hotel pool multiple times over the holiday weekend! These are my faces of summer!

Dodson Family Reunion

Cousins: Connor & Kyrie

We enjoyed a very special Memorial Day weekend this year because we were joined by both of my brothers and their families. This was the first time that all three of my dad's kids had been together since my wedding 9 1/2 years ago. It was the very first time that the cousins were able to meet and the very first time that so many grandchildren and great-grandchildren had been at my grandparents' home at the same time. We were also lucky to share time with my aunt, my uncle and cousins. It was a wonderful weekend together! Much appreciation to my dad who made sure that we were all housed & fed, to my grandparents who hosted and all those who traveled so far so that we could be together! We love you all!

Degen & Dude

Cousins: Corbin & Degen

Kyrie with Uncle Ryan

My nanny, my aunt and my cousin Meaghan with her son Danny.

My cousin Danny, my dad and my aunt

Meaghan & Baby Danny

My brother with his son Connor

Dinner at our favorite Japanese restaurant!

Kyrie with Mimi

Reminiscing On the Road

Darren talking to Kyrie about the caterpillar she found.

On the road again, heading to Virginia! Here are this year's best photos from our favorite rest stop on the road. This year, Darren & I were exhausted from too little sleep the night before so we were not overly enthusiastic about climbing our way into the woods to explore. However, the kids had more than enough energy (as always, unless chores are expected of them) and explored the hillside together. It was a beautiful day, and a great start to both our trip and our summer!

Oh, sigh for the days of youth when you could lose yourself in contemplating the life found in a bed of grass!

My baby boy looking oh-so grown up!

My beautiful babies!

Poor Kyrie! Not long after this photo was taken, the small branch she was holding onto broke and she came tumbling back to earth. It happens to the best of us, my darling girl!