Yes Sir

We're not the best house keeper-uppers. We'll admit it most days, but sometimes we'll try to blame it on other things ("Oh, we just got home from vacation") if people stop by. Mom gets stuck with the dishes after dinner. We've gotta give Ben props for enacting the new rules around here. They are typed up and ready to be printed today. It covers the downstairs and all the bathrooms. He said that now that Mom's in school we all have to pull our own weight. This is how it looked the first night after chores. We've tried chore charts growing up, but they usually only lasted a few days... a week at the most. This one might work since Ben is heading it up and he means business. We asked him what happened if we missed a chore. The answer was simply, "You get yelled at". Note to self: don't leave future children with Uncle Ben.

Do you think it will last?

Beach Highlights

We could have a ton of posts dedicated to our week at the beach because we love it, but here are some highlights. Here's the whole group at the end of the week. Fold or stay in?Catchphrase was the game of the week almost every night. It was an even match up with girls vs. boys.Anna & SaraAfter their 4.8 mile run. It was that long only because they got lost.Bubbagum!It's easy to forget how long it takes to play Monopoly. Kait was the winner.Guy on the left is lost in ESPN land, Girl in the middle is working on green beans, Girl in red is detangling hair.We had the opportunity to watch great skim boarding by this totally rad chick. She took the "skateboard" approach. Hang ten! You can never be too cautious.
The boccie boys. Ben & Dad were the undefeated champs.On the last night we cranked up some Grateful Dead hits and tie dyed shirts. Ben working on a groovy design.

Dad was going to skip out and go to bed, but when he heard the Grateful Dead and saw the shirts he couldn't help it-- he had to try it.

Priceless

We wait all week long to capture a shot like this

Family Secret

The guys around here got caught wearing girlie stuff on vacation. Dad is making fun of Anna's shades.Squint at the sun or wear huge sunglasses? No comment

SPF 15

She was born for the beach. Well, kinda. Mom brought the umbrella, but forgot the thing to hold it in the sand. She sat there and held the umbrella up.

Dad read deep Russian literature & we got some rain, but had sun for most of the week.Left to Right: Sara, Kait, Hot pink anti-jellyfish inner tube, Anna.Our very own Peyton ManningOnce again, the anti-jelly fish inner tube

Wes taking a breather after skim boarding

Road Trip

It started out as a road trip to Florida. Kent was in a wedding & Kait was the road buddy... and it ended in a proposal!! Sunday (7/27) morning, Kent popped the question and Kait accepted. He hid the ring in his contact case.Celebrated by flopping in the oceanShowing off the blingLet the planning begin!Sara took some engagement pictures... she is busy working her photographic magic, but we'll share them when we get them! Anna was the fill-in assistant since Sara's assistant, Wes, was on vacation (with us).She looked like a pro!Kent was worn out after the photo shoot. This picture will probably sum up the next 10 months or so...
Stay tuned for the ups and downs of planning a wedding

Go Gamecocks!

In just a couple of weeks, Ben will begin his first semester at USC! His major is statistics, but he plans to transfer into business soon. After watching Kait's stellar performance in calculus, he is staying at home for at least one more semester to take advantage of Dad's tutelage. The most exciting part?....Football season.