Saturday, August 28, 2010

Changes


I have many posts I need to do, vacation trips/pics,
day outings and even some (more) videos. 

But as Fall approaches, we seem to be surrounded by changes,
preparing for school, saying good-bye to Adam (the twins + Van's summer babysitter) 
who's tour of duty is over (he's headed back to college). 
We are all eargerly awaiting the arrival of Van's younger brother,
 Zak who just can't seem to get here fast enough (from China). 
Austin and Logan are finally going to play a team sport!
Soccer. 
They are ridiculously excited about it.  

But the biggest change off all. 
In our lives. 
Is the abence of Evan.   
 ;-(

Evan is now testing out his newfound wings and has flown the coop by heading off to college!
Evan did a great job of "preparing" us for his departure.
His girlfriend lives down the street, and Evan has basically "lived" there for the past year! 
We can't really fault him for that -
what with the raucous duo being loud, cah-razy and extremely messy 24/7.
And the twins were just as bad as Gary and I.
;-)
But...Evan was still within walking distance.
And of course, when he was around, he played with the twins to no end. 
He. is. a GREAT. Big brother!

Brothers, Evan and Mason.
Some idiot, (a.ka. "professional idiot") told Mason NOT to SMILE in pictures. 
That he has a *bad* smile. 
Despite ALL the evidence PROVING otherwise,
Mason prefers to look like a grumpy, unhappy fool in picutres! 
UGH!

With pretty little Nonnie!


It's the RED brigade!

Evan's idea of a Family portrait!
(yes, the twins are sopping wet!)
(Clearly, Gary and Logan did not get the "red" memo.)
;-)

I have a few mere seconds before everyone bails during photos.
We look "off" in this picture.
Well, at least, I do.
When Evan hopped down, I didn't have time to arrange us properly.
Mom (Nonnie) snapped the picture
and then everyone yelled,
"That's it! We're done" and walked away! 
lol

Who's ready for a Road Trip!?
We arrived in town late to begin with.
And then, "playtime" lasted until MIDNIGHT!


Logan

(Mason and Austin)


Move-in Day:
Logan helped!

Three Men and a Closet.
;-)

Logan (left) was on a mission to find the basketball court ALL day long.
We finally found it.  Huge court.
He immediately wanted to play on it.
Cried the whole way OUT.

Can I just say that
College + two cranky boys
(who were up until midnight and up again at 7am)
+ moving + a blogging mom and her camera
just don't all add up to = happy day
So, I didn't whip out the camera much!

We moved Evan in.
I "occupied" the twins on lots of walks around campus.
We went off-campus to lunch.
And then to Wally World
...with every. other. freshman. And their families.
It was insane.
But we got it (basically) all accomplished.

And now I give you "Black and Red." 
Evan and Austin on on his new bed.

hmmmmm....


Austin's turn on the (red) )cart.
Notice, even the guy in the background got the red memo today.

Evan's school supplies drawer! 

Leaving was hard. 
He is three HOURS away.
sigh

We know he's gonna do great!
He is very mature.
Very well organized.
And goal oriented/focused.
We are very excited for your new adventure, Evan.

Believe it or not....it is quiet(er) around here.

We miss him.
I don't think Austin and Logan quite get it.
They've asked me several times,
Where is Evan?
When's he coming home?

5 comments:

Anne said...

Aww! I have tears in my eyes. I can't imagine sending any of my kids off to college. I'm struggling with full day kindergarten.

How does your fall look for a roadtrip to visit us or for us to come to you? Tell Nonnie I love her and her inspirational comments on my blog!

Jamie said...

I am sad for you as a mom...even though you have A & l still at home, sending one off to college is HARD!!! I remember the day my family moved me into the dorm...T-E-A-R-S!!! Best of luck...and I am with the boys, "when is he coming home"??

Tracey said...

So many things we LOVE about this post!! LOVE the family photos! LOVE the boys LOVE for Evan. LOVE the Zak shout out and most importantly LOVE you the strongest Mama I know.

Helene said...

I'm a big sappy mess after reading this. My heart just hurts, thinking of the day my oldest ones leave for college. Even though I pretty much did the "tuck and roll" drop off at the school parking lot on their first day of 1st grade this year, I'll still cry when I drop them off at the dorms in college 12 years from now.

Love all the pictures!!!!!! You have such a beautiful family!!

My kids are gearing up for soccer too! They have such a blast! Just between your kids and mine, we'd have our own fun soccer team!

Hannah said...

This made me so sad. I can't believe he is off to college. Sigh.

If you want, I'll send you one of mine once day a week for a few months. I'd love to be a good friend and help you out like that...in fact I could send both of them one day a week. I'd do that for you ;)