Nolt Picnic

I know I haven't blogged much lately.  I'm going to try to spend a bit of time updating today.  Patrick's contract position fell through, so if you could keep us in your prayers as we figure out where to go, what job to pursue, etc, we would appreciate it.  The unknown is so scary and uncomfortable sometimes, but we're also just really excited about what God has for us next.  We'll keep you posted (pun intended).

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In June, we had a Nolt family gathering at my Uncle Clair and Aunt June's house (also known as the farm where my dad grew up).  Here is a picture of my grandmother (my dad's mom) with her 15 great grandchildren.

 June had lots of fun activities for the kids including sidewalk chalk, play dough...

 a pedal tractor...

...and a piñata!

Of course the food was amazing.

 ...as was the fellowship.  I love my family.

What I've been reading...

If you read Kristen's blog, then you will have seen all of these books before.  Based on her recommendations, I've been doing some summer reading......




Loving Frank is a novel based on the love affair between Frank Lloyd Wright and Mamah Cheney.  Nancy Horan does quite a bit of research into their lives and weaves fact with fiction (her perceptions of their feelings, motives, etc).  I liked this one....didn't love it.  It isn't graphic, but my moral red flag goes up whenever I read about an affair.  As Kristen suggests, do not google anything about FLW if you don't know anything about his life.  It would really spoil the ending.









Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay was definitely a worthwhile read.  It is a heartbreaking but gripping story.  It is historical fiction based on the Vélodrome d'Hiver round up in Paris back in 1942 where thousands of Jew's were killed.  

I heard a lot about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, so I decided to read this (even though thrillers are not usually a genre I migrate towards).  I read all 600 pages in a little over a week.  Truly a gripping story.  The synopsis on the back compared it to Silence of the Lambs.  I agree.  Great story, well written, has a plot (not senseless violence).  However, it is not for the faint of heart.  I haven't decided if I will read the other two books in Stieg Larsson's trilogy or not.  I think the next one deals with sex trafficking, and I'm not sure I could handle that in graphic detail.

  

It took me a while to get into Winter Garden, a novel by Kristin Hannah, but after I did, I LOVED it!  Add this one to your reading list.  There is a bit of historical fiction mixed in with a look into how complicated relationships can be and how our perceptions are not always accurate.

Reasons to love Chick Fil A...

 Last week, we went to family night at CFA.  This used to be "kids eat free" night.  Alas, they did make some changes and kids no longer eat free, but they still bring in a super talented face painter.  She turned Camille into a princess (as though she needed any help).  Adeline was insistent..."I don't want you to paint on me."  After her daddy agreed to have his ENTIRE face painted like a frog, she relented and allowed her to paint flowers on her arm.

Kudos to Pat for once again being a super cool daddy.

Then, because we love us some CFA, we dressed like cows for the annual cow appreciation day.  Yes, ALL of us participated.  Nathaniel donned a white onesie (since I only have about 328 of them) turned cow costume with a black sharpie.  I think the fumes may have made him a bit high though.  lol.  Camille pretty much stole the show in her halloween costume turned perfect outfit for the occasion.  The rest of us just wore white and printed out the costumes from their website.  We waited until we got there to tape on the "Eat Mor Chikin" signs.  Those milkshakes (especially when they're free) just make me happy.  Three cheers for Chick Fil A!!!

More Camille...

Mawy had a wittle wamb...

Slowly but surely...

Quick update...

It's been a while (as several of you have pointed out) since I've posted anything.  For those of you who don't know, Patrick separated from the air force at the beginning of June.  He had a contract position lined up, but it fell through about two weeks before his separation date.  To make a long story short, he found another contract position PTL (in flight medicine at Andrews AFB), but he's had some time off in between jobs.  We are in full summer-play-with-daddy mode!  ...except for that week when we were all sick.  Our friends here affectionately titled it, "the toddler plague."  2-3 year olds were sicker than others who were infected....and most kids (and sometimes adults) we know were down for the count.  We quarantined ourselves for about two weeks.  Anyway, back to summer...

There have been princess tea parties...

...LOTS of ice cream...

...trips to the pool...

...and Father's day.

Our garden is growing...

...as is our son.

 There's more to post, but for now I'll leave you with two of my favorite recent pictures of my favorite guys.  I think I'll have one of them made into a large canvas print like the ones I have of the girls with me.  

Hope you're loving summer as much as we are!

It's sum-mah, sum-mah, sum-mah, ti-ime!

I'm SOOO behind on blogging.  We are fully enjoying our summer, and blogging has taken a back seat.  I'm okay with that.

Here are a few pix from a picnic in PA at the Gochenaur's farm.  Do I have any pictures of the Gochenaurs or Hollingers who were also picnicking with us...NOPE!  Sorry gang!  Well, I did at least get one of the back of Aubrey in her adorable swimsuit.  Keep reading....

This is the screensaver on our iMac right now.  Just makes me smile.

I love that my kids get to play in OTHER PEOPLE'S sandboxes.

Aubrey, you are just too sweet.