Catch Up on Summer 2011

I can't believe the last time I posted was back in June! Yikes! Thanks to Lauren and Sean at least our family blog is on life support.

We've had a fun and busy summer. Grace had her dance recital in late June and did a great job. There were over 300 people in the audience. Her class danced to Tomorrow, from the musical Annie and It's a Hard Knock Life, also from Annie. Carl's parents were able to come up for the recital which was really nice. We wondered how Marshall would handle a two hour recital but he loved it and clapped and cheered for Grace after every number even though she was only in two dances.

July brought the Kopshina family reunion in WVA. The kids and I got to spend some great time with Mom and Dad, Sheryl, Alex, Dean and Norma and lots of Kopshinas. I even convinced Mom and Dad to drive by their old houses. Aunt Sheryl stayed with me in the Hotel and was a great help with the kids. We did have a small incident where the kids ran a head of us in the hotel and got onto the elevator and when who knows where. We finally caught up to the in the lobby after I sent Sheryl downstairs and I ran upstairs. Yes, we had a stern conversation about getting into elevators without adults.

August sent us home to NY for a visit. Grace spent two weeks with Nana and Papa. It was great to see everyone. Carl and I got to attend the Palmyra temple and baptize and seal his grandparents and his aunt. Lauren came with us and helped us do the work. It was an amazing experience. 

I'm sure most of you know that poor Marshall got attacked by yellow jackets that had built a nest under Mom and Dad's deck. It was terrifying to see all those bees swarming around him. Carl and I ran out and ripped off his shirt. We counted over 20 stings! Needless to say Marshall and Grace have been very leery about going outside and really panic if they see even one bee. Thankfully, Marshall wasn't seriously hurt although I can't tell you how awful it is to watch your child be hurt.

Grace started school Aug, 25th. She was very sad to see the fun and carefree days of summer get tucked away for next year. She's kind of ambivalent about first grade. I think she's OK being at school but given the choice she'd much rather be at the swimming pool, jumping on the trampoline or watching power rangers. 

Marshall misses his big sister. Our big challenge is to try and keep boredom at bay. We have a weekly play group and also a few little friends we try to meet every week. I've been taking him to story time at the library and he really loves that. The other day he invited me to race rolls of tape across the family room floor. He was the masking tape, I was the duct tape. It was actually pretty funny.

Speaking of Marshall, today is his birthday! He's 3. We will be having a small family party for him tomorrow. He's really excited about balloons and cake. I'm going to wrap all his presents in actual birthday paper. It's way more fun than opening up a bag. I can't believe how fast time has gone.  I'll post some birthday party pics later this week.  

Miss you all, Amber

Ballet costume for "Tomorrow"

Tap: It's a hard knock life

Isn't this so classic. Little Brother steals the spotlight.

Swim lessons

This is the first time Carl and I have been to the temple on over a decade.

OK, is this not such a cute picture of cousins?

The Bros

Auntie Sheryl was a favorite with the Walker Kids.

Uncle George and Mom

This was taken the morning after the reunion

all tuckered out...shhhh

foolin around in the pool at  the Giambattistas

Just some of the Cains.