Saturday Scrubbing!

It took our family 2 Saturdays to scrub

the siding on our house!

Welcome to the South.

Yes, it's gross...but everyone gets mold on their siding.

I thought we would just rent a power sprayer.

But no, no, no. Not us. We have to do things the harder way.

We made up a solution of clorox, comet, and powder laundry detergent. We bought brush scrubbers with long rods and an extention ladder.

So with our latex gloves
on our hands, and protective eyewear on our faces, we got to work. The kids scrubbed the lower section, I took the middle, and the brave Mr. Stoner climbed high on that ladder and scrubbed to the roof. Here he is...working hard. We are so glad we did it. It was a lot of work. Our house looks SO much better!

Summer Swim Team Fun!

Lauren, Matthew, and Benjamin all joined a swim team this past summer. It was so much fun for all of us. I loved that by 10 am these three kids had swam laps and burned up lots of energy!

The bonus was social time with so many friends.

I also loved the routine of practice.

No sleeping till noon every day of the summer!

This is Ben and Ben. They are good buddies.

They both wear green goggles.

Mr. Stoner....doing his best to work as a time judge.

Lauren especially loved hangin' out
with friends before, after, and during swim meets.


Matthew with all of his friends
after swim practice.
Good times!



Go Ben Go! I loved all of the cheering from
family and friends at the swim meets!

I love this picture of Daddy and daughter!

Pellegrino

This is what happens when you surprise your husband with a bottle of Pellegrino mineral water for his birthday (because he really likes it) and then he puts it in the freezer to "chill" it and then he forgets about it. Note to Mr. Stoner

You can't put a glass bottle in the freezer and forget about it.

This is what happens!

Three September Birthdays!

They are each a year older!

Benjamin turns 8 this week.

Lauren is 14 today.

And Brock is a whopping 40!

Aren't they cute!

This is a really exciting Birthday for Lauren!

Our determined age for a cell phone is 14.

She has been counting down the days.

She's been telling us for months that she is the last girl at her school to get a phone.

Making three wishes all at once!

I decided that I would only make one cake this year.

Trying to make three takes way too much energy.

Look how cute they are!They grow up so fast! I love you three!