A Higgins Get Together Part 1

In June, most of the Higgins got together for a week. One evening, we were all together. There were just 8 family members missing. We had a great dinner, visiting, playing and of course, if I'm around picture taking. My mom somehow talked me into taking a family picture. I'm more of a candid, small group type of person. I had a great time taking this picture and was actually very pleased with out it came out. So, thank you all for the opportunity to place you and photograph you. Before and after the "official" photo was taken, I got to do what I love best, wander around and photograph my family just being themselves.

At my nieces house, they had this huge double swing. The kids had such a great time playing on it. Here is Ryan swinging away:

Finally Ryan has a boy cousin his age to play with. The two of them enjoyed the swing a lot:

Ben & Baylee:
Playing tether ball:

Cousins galore:

Jumping on the trampoline at night. Craig & Steven were great jumping for me. One of the drawbacks of digital cameras with a screen to shoot from - at night you are basically shooting blind. I just pointed my camera in the general direction and hoped it would capture them in the act. I had a great time trying to "aim" as best I could. They seemed to have a great time flipping and flipping and flipping for me. I did get some pretty cool shots. I think eventually I did wear them out though.

End of School Swim Party

Yes, yes we have already established that I am extremely behind in my posting. So, here is another Harper activity to get caught up on. This actually happened the same day as Brittany's baby shower. Every year since first grade, we host an End of School Year Swim Party. We invite Ryan's entire class to come over for some swimming fun. Because of our concrete project, we had to have the party much later than we normally do. It was a great time. It was probably a good thing that we had it later. It's been a very strange summer for us. The weather here has been pretty cool. We were not anywhere near the 100+ temperatures that we normally have during June. So, the pool was actually cold. I know those of you that live elsewhere in the world will find it very hard to believe that with our temperatures in the mid 90's that our pool was cold, but it was! By the end of June, I had only been in the pool once - it lasted 5 minutes and caused me physical pain to be in there. Of course, Ryan's friends found that to be funny. So, for the pool party, the kids swam for about 45 minutes before they had to get out and warm up. They did have a great time.

Playing the favorite Marco Polo:

Glad school is over!

Ranger actually got in a couple times with the kids and did a couple laps. One time he went in and swam to each kid before getting out to lay in the sun:
Warming up and getting snacks:
Of course Sam was never very far away from all those good snacks. He did go in the pool also - not by his choice:

Ryan out of the pool, snacking and warming up. I didn't notice Sam watching him eat until I put the pic on my computer. He is such a funny dog:

During a warm up break, the kids kicked the ball around and ate - what else - ice cream sandwiches. By the time the parents came to pick up, the kids had made it back in the pool and then didn't want to get out:

Ryan had a great class this year. We were hoping that maybe his teacher might come this year, at least for a little bit, since we kinda know her pretty well. We haven't had one come yet. Maybe next year. I had to put in a little jab because I know she reads this blog! We will miss having her as a teacher next year but are looking forward to 5th grade!

Concrete All Done

Okay...Okay...Okay...I know the concrete has actually been finished for like a month. I'm finally getting around to posting the pictures from the final and completed project. The concrete came out beautifully. Doug then textured the whole area. He patched up the sections of our pools deck that needed a little TLC (c'mon the pool is almost 12 years old - it was in need of a little love). He then textured those spots as well. Then a fresh coat of Cool Deck paint for the whole pool. It looks wonderful and fresh.

Picture of the pool area:

The new sitting area complete with chairs that were purchases last year. These are my "great find" last year. I ran to Michael's for some thread and had two boys with me in my not very big car. There they were two Adirondack chairs with ottomans for $30. I bought two and then had the fun of trying to figure out how to get them in my car and bring all the passengers at the same time. One of them fit perfectly in my truck area. The other one had to go in the back seat. It was a tight fit but we made it home. They sat in our garage for a year. As soon as the concrete was done, we pulled out the chairs and the stain (that was also bought last year) and got to work. They came out great and are so comfortable to sit in by the pool reading a book (which I have already done several times this swimming season!)

Add a few speakers, some snacks and a cold drink and you are set to enjoy some time by the pool:

Brittany's Baby Shower

Brittany, my niece, is getting ready to have baby #2 - a boy. The family got together for a baby shower at Paradise Bakery. I love that place - great food!

My Fire-Roasted Tomato Soup came with a happy face & hair:

Paige & Patti:
Opening gifts:
Chandler & Hayden:

Brooke & Brittany:

The mom-to-be:

A Birthday Celebration

So . . . I am running a little behind! I went to take pictures the other day & noticed that there were still pictures on my camera from my brother's birthday in May. I hadn't even looked at them on the computer yet. That is SO unlike me. I must have been pretty busy over the past couple weeks. So, I am playing a little catch up now.

We went to dinner to celebrate my brother's birthday. It was good food & good company. After dinner, we headed over to another restaurant for some ice cream treats. The weather was great for sitting outside and visiting at both places.

Getting ready to enjoy our dinner:

Hello, my name is Trouble:

Trouble having a little fun with his camera:

B-cubed, that is going to be B-cubed for much longer. Baylee was so cute. She has a band aid on her toe and was determined to show it off to everyone. Doug & Kelly (the birthday boy - who helped us pour concrete earlier in the morning on his birthday!)
Kelly, checking out a gift with my dad looking on:
Ben & Ryan. If Ben knows I'm taking a picture he does something goofy in each one of them. I have a great time when I start looking at them on my computer because I never know what awaits me whenever Ben has been around - I always get a good laugh: