Our Long Absence

We never intended to be gone so long!  Things have been quite busy.  It feels like I woke up and Autumn was in full swing!  I'll do my best not to stay gone so long.  Here's a snapshot of our unseasonably warm afternoon, and I'll try to play catch up very soon!

Family Photo Time

Spring is here, and with it comes my itch for new family photos!  My family is very patient with me as I select complementary clothing and insist on new photos.  Though some came out better than others, we ended up having a blast.

Kona sneaks in the photo (though Aiden noticed!)

Three beautiful McBrides.

Ciala by the new fountain.

Lauren by the new fountain.

The whole family (except Kona!).

Clyde and Meg.

The McBride women.

The McBride men.

Ciala, Clyde and Lauren.

Proud Mom.

Whew.  All done... time to play!

Aiden longs to roam freely...

...Then takes matters into his own hands!

Please, Kona?  I promise I'll take good care of your kong!

See?  I'll pet you if you let me have it...

Ah-hah!  She left it!

Darn!  She found me!

Kona enjoys family time (and so do Clyde and I).

Most hands pet Kona (Aiden is still preoccupied).

Or has he he hatched a new plan?

Perhaps a way to distract us as he heads for the patio

(and Kona's food and water, which he's dying to try?)

He had a good lead...

...but Kona was too fast (and I was closing in, too)...

...Ciala joined in the chase (with Lauren right behind her)...

... Got him!

Happy Birthday, Clyde!

We celebrated Clyde's 34th Birthday on Friday by going out to dinner, eating cake and ice cream and... you guessed it... yard work!  Nice present, right?  Actually--he loves it!  The girls weren't too enthusiastic at first, but they got really into it.  All 6 of us (especially Kona) really enjoy the improvements.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

The girls did the decorating!

Clyde and the girls spread mulch (after pulling out lots of overgrown plants!).

The girls, after helping Dad lay weed barrier on the other side of the house.  Check out the trailor with all the old plants and debris!

The old fountain...

The new fountain!

Aiden is upset to be sequestered to the backyard.  I brought him out to visit the others in the front, but he was not content to be held and wanted to get down and run around!

Still not content to be held (by anyone)!

... Ah, that's more like it.

Dad lit the tiki torches for our evening.

Lauren pauses her play to smile for the camera.

And so does Ciala.

And so do I.

Clyde tests out Aiden's favorite seat.

Though Clyde's trusty assistants had to return to South Carolina, Aiden and Kona stepped in to help test out the back patio fountain. 

They each believe it was placed there, just for them.