Cookout at the Hull's

This weekend we had another end-of-summer cookout at the Hull's house (here are a few pictures from last year). I count these kiddos among my all-time favorites. And, I love that they dig each other as much as Mike and I dig their parents.

Kathryn (6), Griffin (2), Austin (4), Ryan (4), Ella (5), Miles (6), Heydon (7), Jack (4), Noah (4)

No surprise, the boys went straight for the light sabers.


But, as much as things stay the same, they also change. I can remember holding Heydon when he was just hours old (maybe a day...max). As I was taking this picture, I overheard Heydon saying to Miles, "Guess what?! You're not going to believe it! I read a book.....in it, a boy and girl were kissing!" They both looked at each other, then simultaneously said, "gross!", then laughed. It was a moment that this mama will remember.


Tom & Carolyn, we're looking forward to next year's invitation already! :)

A Witch and His Tiger

We were playing in the garage/outside in the sprinkler after school and Miles found a witch hat (seriously, what is not in our garage?). All of a sudden Miles grabbed one of Bodie's leashes and said to Noah, "I'll be the witch and you can be my saber-tooth tiger" (if that's not a cue to grab the camera, what is?).

Miles suited him up.


He taught him how to walk.


Then they practiced. It was hilarious.



Griffin wanted in on the action, so he grabbed Bodie.


Then, they were off. Just a typical Thursday afternoon, eh? :)

Miles started 1st grade on Tuesday. We ventured to the bus stop at 6:50am and the bus finally picked the kids up at 7:45am (15 minutes after school started). Lots of 1st-week-of-school kinks to work out, but from the kids' perspective, it was just more time to play 'base'. (Dana/Brad - notice Miles' favorite shirt that he picked to wear on the 1st day of school)




I tried to get a shot of Miles' cool, new backpack, but the shiny material kept the superheros from showing up. The funniest part is that while I was taking the picture I asked Miles to turn back and look at me. He immediately whipped around and said, "mommy, I am NOT an OWL!"


This guy always prefers the silly shots. He's big into the 'cross-eyed' look these days.


Miles, with Evan & Sydney. Last year, Miles and Evan were the only ones at our bus stop. After the school system reduced the stops by 1/3 (to save money on gas), our corner now has 9 kids. Much livelier crowd at 6:55am!


Mike arranged his travel schedule so that he didn't have to fly out until after Miles got off the bus on Tuesday. It was a treat to have him there after the first day.



Miles has never been a huge 'let's sit down while I have a snack & I'll spill the beans on my day' kind of kid, but he's come home happy each day and he's excited to head out to bus stop in the morning. That has to count for something. He's mentioned that he loves lunch and computers is still his favorite 'special' class. He's still learning the names of his new classmates, and at this point, the only new name that he's mentioned is 'a kid named Brad, because that's just like Uncle Brad.' :) I'll know more next week, when I can start having lunch with him at school -- but I'm sure it will be a very fun year!

Mike Tackled the Lake Norman Triathlon!

On Sunday, August 23nd, Mike tackled the Lake Norman YMCA Triathlon. It was a 750 meter swim, followed by a 15 mile bike, followed by a 5k run. This, from a man that had surgery on his lower back in 2002, surgery on his left elbow in 2007, and a double surgery on his right elbow in 2008. This man cannot be stopped! I (we) are so very proud of him!

Mike and our friend Scott, gearing up for the big event (~ 6am).


Out for a quick warm up before the swim.


Quick dip before the heats were announced.


Chit-chatting before the start. Was glad to see Mike smiling!



And they're off (~7am)!


Mike's childhood friend, Patrick, joined me to cheer Mike on. Love his sign! We waited behind this wall of flags for Mike to come out of the water.




After Mike finished swimming, he had to run quite a distance to get to the transition area (to get ready to bike). I ran next to him and cheered him on.



Next stop: biking! Mike had to dry off his feat, put on his socks and clip-in bike shoes, and helmet. He decided to ride shirtless, because he had such a hard time getting his shirt on during the New Bern triathlon.





Last leg: the run! Mike had to drop off his bike in the transition area and change shoes from his clip-ins to his running shoes. He also took off his helmet and grabbed a shirt. Mike is a self-professed "non-runner" so this was the hardest part for him. Just knowing this made me even more proud when I saw him start this part of the race. A 3-mile run on its own is not something that he ever looks forward to....and for him to do it AFTER a swim and a bike....amazing.





Sound the trumpets! Mike crossed the finish line STRONG and came in under a goal time that he'd set for himself. HUGE, HUGE congratulations were in order! (~ 8:35am)





Aunt Dana and Uncle Brad watched the boys while I cheered on Mike. They were huge sports -- arriving at our house at 5am so that we could drive up to Lake Norman. They even helped the boys make signs (love the 1st 2 that Miles made....how cute are they?!) Thanks so much, Dana & Brad! We love you!





What a race! The energy at this event was amazing! I'm so excited for Mike for all that he accomplished and more excited than before about doing one myself. Wahoo!

Pool

On Saturday, we took one of our last family trips to the pool for the summer, so I made sure to bring my camera along. We met Jonathan, Ella and Jack and the kids had so much fun. Back in our single/Miles & Ella baby days, we all lived on the same street. Figures that now that the kiddos are older and LOVE being together we live 25 minute apart. Maybe later in life we'll be neighbors again....one can dream, right?

Miles (6), Ella (5), Noah and Jack (4), Griffin (2)


Every time I get my camera out, Griffin gets excited, charges toward me, and says, "Me see it, mommy!" I often get 'partial facial shots' like this first one.



Donning their green necklaces (that indicate they've passed a big swim test), Miles and Ella spent a ton of time on the water slides. They also stomped around the different spray grounds.






Noah and Jack. Man, these two are best buds if I've ever seen any. The instant they see each other they get (extra) silly, they start telling 4-year-old boy jokes, and they make (mostly) innocent mischief with each other. I love it.






And, as usual, the kids got some very fun dad-time. While Mike swam Griffin around, Jonathan dove/threw/dunked the other 4 kiddos. Everybody loved it.


Here are a couple of little videos from the pool. Ella is in the 1st one, Miles the 2nd. Ignore the horrid color. My custom white balance was still set for my kitchen lighting from the night before. It took me several videos/pictures to remember to readjust it.