Happy 4th of July!

Happy Birthday America!

Aunt Rebecca had a cookout the night before the 4th and we watched the Red White and Boom fireworks from her condo.  On the 4th we celebrated at the pool and headed out to dinner with our Dublin friends.

Kate the fish - Swim Team Rookie!

Kate decided to give swim team a try this year.  Our good friends the Mallue's are big swimmers and they were encouraging her to do it.  We joined the team a little late but she loved every minute.   She enjoyed freestyle, breaststroke, and backstroke.

How cute is this?  She was even awarded "swimmer of the week" her first week of practice!

And whats not to love about writing on yourselves with a sharpie marker!!  Ha.

Great group of girls and mentors!

Here is Kate at the Dublin relays meet - rockin the inner-tube!

This is Kate's First Ever event at a swim meet - backstroke - kinda cute and it was amazing how much she improved over the short season. 

We all gathered for the last meet of the season - We are so proud of you Kate!

Camp Akita - Emma

Emma attended her first sleepover camp this summer - Camp Akita.  They spent 3 nights in a cabin. She went with her bestie Ella.  

 Ella's mom helped the girls make tie-dyed t shirts and bandannas for the week.  They looked so cute!

 They boarded a bus in Upper Arlington and away they went!  Emma loved the activities, the food and swimming.  

 Emma and her friends from the cabin.

 An action shot of the girls going down the soap slide!

The last night they do a candlelight ceremony.  She can't wait to go back next year!

Happy 8th Birthday Kate!

Some how Kate always gets to celebrate her birthday numerous times.  With John traveling to Scotland, we celebrated with him before he left for his trip as he was going to be away on her actual birthday.

For Kate's 8th birthday she wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese's and have her friends Lacey and Margaret spend the night.  

Pizza party!

After a thunderstorm, the sky was pink and the girls loved it - so we had to take a picture.

With John traveling, Kate slept with me and the birthday fairy brought her balloons!

We spent her actual birthday at the pool and then we had dinner with the Grandma and Papa, Grandma W and Aunt Rebecca.  

 Another Birthday cake...chocolate this time!

Sparklers for fun!

Kate loves the iPad/YouTube.  She still prefers salads over chicken tenders at a restaurant.  She is quite a dancer (thanks to YouTube!) and is very compassionate. 

Golf Trip of a Lifetime!

John, his father and family friends from Cincinnati traveled to Scotland for a golf trip.  They played golf every day despite the cool, windy, and wet weather.   

My one request was a picture of John on the famous Swilken Bridge on St. Andrews Links golf course.  What a keepsake!

 Father-Son duo on the bridge.

The group at Prestwick Golf Course.  

Piano Recital - Summer 2017

The girls had their summer piano recital this week.  Emma played "Beauty and the Beast" and "Part of your World." 

Kate played "Old McDonald" and "Pop, Goes the Weasel."

Because I had previously done a duet with Emma, I played a duet with Kate.

And the moment I have been waiting for since they both started taking, a sister duet!  The girls played "Scarborough Fair."  Great job girls!

The Memorial Tournament - 2017

As most know, the Memorial Tournament is like a week-long holiday for us in Dublin.  Great weather, wonderful friends, lots of celebration and oh yeah, some great golf,  Here is this year's picture and below is an old picture from 2012.  So fun to see how they grow up each year!