Date Day in Philly

Rachel is visiting, and we felt so incredibly grateful to get a date day away in Philly. It was so rejuvenating. So much time to talk and connect! We spent a few hours at the temple. Afterwards we braved the heat wave to walk over to Reading Terminal Market and feast on some favorite recommendations there. We ended the day with a driving tour of Chestnut Hill and the Main Line neighborhoods. Loved every minute together!
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Rachel is here!!!

Rachel came out to be with us and help be with the boys. We are so excited!

Our tenacious Beau

Beau is remarkably tenacious when he has a goal in mind.
Apparently, he has been begging the swim coaches at practice to let him swim an 800. He decided they were never going to say yes, so today he begged them to let him swim a 500. They conceded, and he did it! The entire thing all in one go without stopping!!!

He is so proud of himself, and I am so proud of him too!
He is a strong boy with so much stamina and determination. He claims he wasn't even tired afterwards!

Jazz Camp

Lewis participated in the best jazz camp this week at Westminster! The concert was fabulous! He had a blast!

Magical night with Furner & Herway families

Sarah caught these amazing shots!
Summer food, fireflies, s'mores, birthday cake, and amazing company!

I love this one of my three boys. It captures each of them perfectly!

Relaxing and working

Bent spoon always makes for the best day!

David is a remarkably effective helper in putting together our new shelves! So impressed with him!

Beau swimming. The older boys are having a great swim season.

And David on his new "boogie bike", as he calls it!

Little buddy and family shot!

I love this little buddy! He initially was nervous to do the ropes, but he loved it in the end.

And a tired but full family shot for the win!

Family Waterfall Hike

This was a more gorgeous and fun hike than we anticipated at first! It started really flat, and so we had some dissenters. But the waterfall part had great ropes and scrambling. Proud of these boys!

Family fun at the lodge

We had a great time!
Mike and I had the kids eat and watch a movie in the room so we could go out to dinner for his birthday! New stage!

S'mores and games on the lawn!

"The Wilbit" on the lake - an unexpected, fun activity.

And ice cream at the parlor!

Happy Fourth and Happy Michael!

As per tradition, I booked for us to go away for Mike's birthday. It was quite splurgy since we had just bought the house. But I booked it before all the dust settled, and it was such a nice get away. Much needed!

Skytop Lodge in the Poconos!

A historic inn that still has lawn games and family events as well as pool, lake, hiking, etc. it was lovely!

Gifts for the fam!

Mangosteens, marzipan, and mini-Nutella. Montreal has a lot to choose from!

Hard to beat!

Gorgeous neighborhoods, rainbows, fireworks from our window, and even smuggling mangosteens back to Mike and Beau...this will be a hard Hoohah to beat!

Perfection!

Nighttime views were even better. We picked up fresh baguettes, the most amazing cheese, local jam, homemade chocolates, and wine for the ladies at one of the farmer's markets on the way home. We ate it with music and breezes wafting in after the most amazing, full day. Perfection!!!

Brunch at this garden cafe was divine. And the Olympic Village was fun,

Gorgeous views and amazing food

This view of the Old Port in Old Montreal from our flat could not have been better. Add to that the classical music wafting in our windows from performers down below, and it was perfection. Notre Dame and the farmer's markets were highlights, as well as the falafel on our tour.