MomMom is smiling from Heaven today!

I grew us with 2 amazing grandmothers. Gram, my mom's mom and MomMom, my dad mom. Today we got together with my MomMom's family. My MomMom was a beautiful, strong, petite women who loved her family more than anything. She passed away 16 years ago this September. I still miss her so much. Sunday we spent the day at my cousin Billy's house. My dad, his brother, Uncle George, and my dad's brother-in-law, Uncle Bill, as well as all of my MomMom's 6 grandchilden and 13 of her 15 great-grandchildren were there. Even though we live relatively close to each other we don't get to see each other as often as we should. It was so great to see everyone and catch up. Everyone had a great time, and the kids loved swimming in Billy's pool. We had so much fun seeing everyone. Hopefully our next family get-together will be sooner rather than later.

Uncle Alan and Kami

On Saturday Karen and Alan watched the girls while Chris and I went to a surprise party for a friend of Chris's. Normally this would not warrent a blog report but something happened during the day that I thought you might enjoy. As many of you know, Kami is in the throws of potty training. So, on Saturday, its only Kami and Alan inside. below is the dialog....
Kami: "Uncle Alan, I have to go potty."
Alan: "Okay, go ahead."
Kami: "It's too high, you have to put me on the seat. "
Alan: "Okay."
Kami: "I have to poop. Can I have book to read."
Alan: "Here ya go, it's Amberly's Dr. Suess book."
Kami: " You can go now."
Several minutes later....
Kami: "Uncle Alan....I'm all finished...you can wipe my butt now!!!"
***If you truly know my family, you are laughing out loud with tears coming down your cheeks at the thought of Alan having to wipe Kami's butt. ***
Love you Alan.....

SO....WHO'DJA GET?

Today at 4pm our school district posted the elementary class lists. Madi and Avery sat by the lap top at 3:45 and just waited.....and waited.....and waited......This is one of the most exciting parts of the 'back to school process.' By 4:13 the phone kept ringing with friends asking, "Who'dja get?" Madi got the teacher she wanted with one of her BFF's in the homeroom with her. She is so thrilled. Avery was not as excited. She got a teacher that none of the older 3 ever had. She has always had a teacher who knew a HARTMAN. I tried to explain to her that it is probably a good thing that this teacher has no preconceived notions about her. She didn't agree. But I know that she will have a great year. I on the other hand am not ready for summer to be over. I really could use about 4 more weeks before the chaos begins. I HATE homework....I HATE projects....I HATE tests..... AAAAGGGGGHHHHHHH

Table for 10, please!

Tonight, rather than the normal 7, we had 3 added guests. Kar and Alan are in FL for the weekend, so Chris and I are watching Chels, Ally, and Amberly. Do the math...7 girls, 1 boy, 2 adults = dinner for 10. Obviously our kitchen table doesn't seat 10, so I improvised a bit....it worked! Everyone totally enjoyed the pot roast, sugar snap peas, mashed potatoes, and brownies for dessert. YUM-O. It's now after 8pm, the kitchen is clean and the house is actually quiet...even with 8 kids I get time to blog.

All about Avery

This morning Avery had her very first soccer practice. She was so excited, she couldn't get to sleep last night. On Thursday Chris took her shopping for her own soccer ball, (apparently the other soccer balls in the shed are not good enough,) shin guards, (must have at least 5 pair in the garage, but they're not pink!) and her cleats...black with a PINK Nike swoosh. That's my girl. When she got home from practice she announced to the rest of the family, "I am sooo good at soccer." Gotta love a girl with confidence.

Cape May Part Deux

On Thursday afternoon we headed back down to NaNa and PopPop's house Cape May. We had so much fun hanging out, sunning, swimming, shopping, eating ice cream. Thanks NaNa and PopPop for a great vacation.

Here is NaNa and PopPop with the girls eating icecrem and water ice. CJ was hanging out with a friend that night.

Kami just loves her icecream. "I want my cone to be this big, Daddy."
Kami enjoying more icecream.
Okay, I got the pics out of order, here is Chris and the girls giving Paulie a bath when we got home. Washing off the kennel smell.
We spend a lot of our nights hanging out on the front porch, this night Kami fell asleep on Kylie's lap.

The 7 of us on our way to the promenade for some family time.
Doesn't Avery look thrilled that I made her sit with Kami on the baby ride? This is as big as the rides get in Cape May.
We dropped CJ, Kylie, Madi, and Avery off at mini golf, then Chris and I went for a walk with Kami. It's been over 13 years since we only had one kid with us.
Avery enjoying her icecream in peace...away from mommy who didnt get her own, but asks for licks. Hey, its what mommys do.

Some of our kids sitting outside a store waiting while we shop. Notice CJ texting. It was all he did when he was with us.

The gang enjoying more icecream.
OOPS..out of order...More rides on the promenade. It was actually too much for Kami, she wanted off.
Madi entertaining the gang outside one night.
Chris and Madi hanging out on the front porch.

Chris taking Kami for a boogie board ride.

The girls in the ocean.
Kylie riding a wave on her boogie board.
Proof that I was actually there.
According to Chris, his mom had this same wooden under the seat of her car. Whenever one of her kids acted up, she would reach under the seat and start swinging.

On the Way to Cape May

This weekend we went to Cape May to visit my parents. See Paulie's side for his story! We arrived Friday night after a long drive, (in all of my years of driving to the shore, I have never crossed the Walt Witman bridge in bumper to bumper traffic.) We had drinks and appetizers waiting for us on the front porch. We woke up Saturday morning to a thunder/lightning storm. Pretty awesome at 8am. By 10 the storm had passed. We took the kids to the mall for a little shopping, and were on the beach by 1pm. Sunday was an even better beach day. Only complaint...the water is soooo cold, and according to CJ, the surf was too calm....no waves to ride.

Nobody puts Paulie on the floor.

NaNa, PopPop and Kami on the beach.
Madi and Kami having fun.
Madi floating in the waveless Atlantic.
CJ trying to have fun in a calm ocean.
Chris and Kami hanging out.
Avery trying to get in...notice how cold CJ looks.
Kylie trying to get used to the frigid water temp.
Kylie and Kami sunning and playing.
Road trip home...someone's tired!