FHSU get-together

At least once a year we try to meet up with our big group of friends from college. What once was a group of about 15 people has now multiplied to nearly 40 with spouses and kids joining the fun. This year most of us gathered in Manhattan on a sweltering July day in the City Park. Our friends Nick and Cathia reserved a picnic shelter right next to a fun spray park and we enjoyed a BBQ lunch, fun in the water, meeting new babies and catching up with great friends.

We'd been at the park for about 20 minutes and we were already about to melt, so we headed over to the spray park. Delaney, Caden and Carter were on a mission for some wet fun! Carter and Caden found the water blasters and had a hey-day! Ash had lots of fun just hanging out on the outer edge of all the fountains.

Waiting to get drenched by a bucket full of water. Running through the rings!Asher thought that looked like fun as well...

...eh, maybe not!

Daddies and their babies: Layne, Brynn, Asher and Chris.Such cuties. Jacque, Sarah and Chad tended to the grilling while we were playing in the water. Thanks guys!

T-ball was a hit with the bigger kids!

Asher mooched some bites from anybody who was offering.

Kendrick and Caroline. L-r: Cathia, Nick, Duncan, Nick, Asher, Chris, Jason and Layne.

L-r: Tiffany, Madelyn, Jacque, Beth, Brynn, Sarah, Hannah, Steph, Carter.

Two very ornery little boys.

Jacque had just as much fun as the little ones with the water guns!After a few hours in the heat, we all headed to another friend's house in Manhattan for some A/C and more catching up. Jacque got the crown she's always wanted from sweet Caroline.Princess Sarah with her buddies: Caroline, Carter and Madelyn.Asher and Layne being silly.And the adorable, always happy twins: Julia and Jillian.At the end of the day we attempted to get a self-timer photo of all 29 of us. We weren't expecting much and the little ones were somewhat confused.But everyone cooperated perfectly and we got a great group picture!

It was so nice to catch up with old friends...we can't wait for our next "reunion!" For those of you who didn't make it this time, we missed you!!

Swim Party #2 - Caden & Brynn

The Parry family came down for an afternoon of swimming and pizza this month. We picked the perfect day for some pool time--it was HOT! Asher and Brynn had fun floating in the baby boats and being toted around the pool. Caden and Carter quickly found the squirt guns and attacked anyone they could see.The got a little taste of their own medicine as well.

Caden had a blast jumping in to his mommy.

And Miss Brynn is just happy to be here.

Splish splash Ash!

Trying on Brynn's pretty pink hat.

The boys were told to get out of the pool, but that didn't stop them from squirting! Cheers to good buddies and good strawberry pop!

What a ham!

Finally.

21+ hours after they entered the hospital...

Welcome to the world, little guy!

Tyler Jeffrey Holmes

July 23, 2010

9:41 p.m.

7 lbs., 6 oz.
20 1/2 inches

Perfect.

Swim Party #1 - Adyson, Ethan & Ellyana

Since Noelle's family was in town for the Fourth of July, she and Jenny brought their kids over to my parents' house for a little swimming party one evening. Tiff and Reed--we missed you guys!

From youngest to oldest:

Elly (10 months)

Asher (15 months)Ethan (2 1/2)Adyson (2 1/2)Carter (3 1/2)Brothers in a boat.Noelle and her babies.They had just as much fun on land in the boat as they did in the water.

After the swimming, we all enjoyed some ice cream cake.

Asher (standing on the gate) looking longingly over to see what he's missing out on. He is such a climber! "Who, me??"And this is the BEST group shot we could come up with. Seriously. Someday I'm going to put together a post of all the group photos we've tried to take. They are hilarious. At least one child is ALWAYS screaming/crying. Just keepin' it real.