Project 365, Week 40

This is a bit long with lots of pictures and stories that probably should have been put into separate posts, but here it is in one big one.  It was a good, full week with fun in four different states.

September 26

During quiet time Avery usually just reads, but apparently this day she needed a little sleep, too.

The guys have started up their Sunday afternoon football game tradition.  I like to walk up with the kids when the weather is nice...soon all those trees in back will be full of color.  That's my man in blue with the muscles bulging.

September 27

Sunday night I drove 3.5 hours and and stayed in the hotel where this one-day conference was being held.  There were several different speakers, this particular one was talking about posing, among other things.  It was informative and helpful.  Then I drove 3.5 hours back home and was happy to see my family when I arrived.

September 28

The girls came down in the morning and said Look Mom...we match!  Apparently it was Amanda's idea.  So sweet.

 Speaking of sweet...

September 29
What a fun day, from start to finish.  I woke the kids up so we could be out of the house at 8:30 and headed to Boston.  My original hope was to get there early to walk around a little and possibly meet up with our group to get in more time.  Those hopes were dashed about 30 minutes outside of the city when traffic came to a standstill....for several miles.  Finally we got through it and amazingly met up with our group at 11:01.

Sara and her mom were vacationing in Boston and so she arranged for us to meet for lunch.  Her friend Karin also lives in the vicinity so she and three of her ten children met up with us too.

The blogging phenomenon is difficult to explain to people who don't do it, but since I've been following Sara and her family for two years now, I feel like in many ways I know her, though we had never met.  It was so good to see her in person and to hug her neck.  She is every bit as sweet as I had imagined.  She has caring eyes and such a warm heart.  The kids were immediately drawn to her and Amanda had swiped her jeweled bracelet within 30 seconds flat.

Karin was great, too.  I'm looking forward to following her blog and maybe reconnecting again in person.  She is a super hero in my book, though she's the type of person who would be mortified to be called that or to get any special recognition.  But seriously...go spend some time at her blog.  Our kids hit it off immediately.  They were laughing and giggling and holding hands almost the entire time.

 It was way too short, as I knew it would be but I'm so thankful to have had the time.

We said our goodbyes and loaded up.  And then I got lost, even though I've traveled that route dozens of times.  Things always look different when I am the one actually driving.  After a couple of frustrated phone calls to Shaun I finally made my way out.

When it became clear that I was now running behind schedule I called Shaun and asked if he could load all of the camera equipment that I'd set aside and meet me on the highway to save some time.  So we swapped cars and high fives there on the highway, he taking the family car with the kids already loaded in and me taking the good gas mileage car with my camera equipment.  When I got in I saw that he'd filled it with gas and also filled up my water bottle with ice-cold water and lemon.   He is one in a million, I tell you.

I met up with my SIL Sarah and her family and we walked around Yale's campus in New Haven for a photoshoot.  The weather and architecture were just beautiful second only to my subjects.  When it grew too dark to do anymore they treated me to pizza at a local renown place.  We don't see enough of each other so it was great to spend time with them.

September 30
Ball!  Ball!  Aren't overalls the best for little toddlers?  Too bad these were three inches too short. :)

October 1
Good, long-time friends treated us to an evening out at an upscale restaurant.  Before adding six kids to the picture, we used to spend long hours together, usually around a card table playing setback or at the softball field.  Life has filled in and we don't make as much time for each other as we'd like but we had a great evening being together.  Really nice place, if you live in the area.

October 2
Its so much fun to listen in on the girls when they are playing pretend.  Today Amanda's name was Alyssa (Sara's daughter's name).

I went to the country club where the reception will be held next week for the wedding I am shooting.  What a beautiful spot...can't wait for the big day!

And that was our week.  How was yours?  Linking up with Sara today.