Sleepaway! Summer fun! Twelve! Van Gogh!

What a month July has been...summer is flying by and we have a lot to show for it! But first! At the end of June, we celebrated Sebastian's birthday a little early at home...

So Samuel and Brie could be there...

Because they were leaving for 3.5 weeks of sleepaway camp! (No, your eyes do not deceive you...those are some of the biggest duffle bags ever. They worked great!!) 

Both kids loved camp. And we got to see it in real time because the camp would post a newsletter and photos every night.

They jumped right in...here's Brie a few days into camp performing at Livingston's Got Talent! 

I love Samuel's reaction! 

Building a campfire... 

Trying out the ropes course...

Sampling popsicles...

And just...

Good, ol'...

camp fun! 

The kids were really good about mailing us letters. 

For example, here's Samuel one week...

And here's a card from him a few days later! What a perfect camp week! 

Samuel won the Livingston lottery!

This is one of my favorites...two gorgeous campers! 

One highlight for Brie was playing a sorority girl AND Emmett in Legally Blonde. 

We even got to watch it stream live! 

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...Sebastian was MILKING being an only child. Like Oreos and milk for breakfast milking it. He got to go to Main Event twice! Once alone...

And once with a buddy!

Tony and I got something accomplished, too...we had our main bathroom countertop replaced with a pretty new quartz (and added drawer/cabinet pulls). Here's the before...

And the after! Bye bye, Corian! We love the new look!

Sebastian finally and officially turned 8 while Samuel and Brie were at camp. We enjoyed breakfast at First Watch...

And a delicious cake at home. Sebastian REALLY enjoyed decorating it! 😄

Brie sent him the sweetest birthday card!

The very next day he headed back to the best day camp ever. Hooray! 

Poor Blossom getting SO much love from only Bas. Ha! 

Speaking of Blossom, on July 3rd, we celebrating her one-year Gotcha Day! YAY!!

And...she may need to start modeling for yard flags! 

We hosted Tony's lab for burgers and dogs out on the deck! 

We also partied a little this month! We reunited with friends (last year and this year)...

Enjoyed Mexican...

And wished the U.S. a very Happy Birthday!

Then we were off to our neighbor's pool for a fun evening! 

Our former neighbors from France (now Belgium) came to visit for two weeks! We toasted them!

And then we toasted Tab and Brian (the most amazing hosts, neighbors and friends anyone could ask for!) because they're moving to South Carolina! Sad!! 

Then it was the last day of sleepaway!!

Samuel and Brie were very happy to be picked up and Sebastian--who had been a bit lonely--was really excited for them to come home. 

They had stories to tell for hours! We heard ALL about their funny adventures, weird cabin mates, yummy meals and exciting activities! 

They got A LOT of mail! 

And several of us got some cool camp swag! 

It's summer...so went to Kings Island for the day with our French buddies! 

Plus pizza, tiramisu and chess out on the deck! 

More fun this month?? Tom and Sue visited from Durham! 

Then...Brie turned 12!! Celebrating never gets old! She started with a sushi and green tea latte lunch...

And ended with Sammy's burgers...

And Graeter's ice cream cake. Yeah!!

Brie got lots of fun gifts, including this hilarious burrito blanket!

Sebastian has really enjoyed being at Wildbrook again this summer! He's back with his buddies and signing up for all of his favorite things, including Tin Can Cooking and archery. Here's Boys 3 dancing to Backstreet! 

And his group celebrating the camp's 70th birthday!!

More awesomeness of late?? We went to the Van Gogh Immersive exhibit. It was super cool!! 

And a boba tea outing! 

Plus fun Asian treats! 

Final celebrations (it continues...)?? Brie and her two besties Paige and Caroline got together for her 12th birthday. Ice cream!

Followed by Cincy chili and hot dogs for dinner!

And red velvet cake!

And a movie and a sleepover! Such a fun night! 

Then Samuel headed to Braeden's for Braeden and Nikhil's joint birthday party! They had a Nerf war...

(Here's the same group in July 2019...they've really grown!!)

And then what can only be described as a 13-year-old version of All-night Grad Party. Haha.

What a month! We all need a nap now (like Blossom)!

P.S. Note to self: Don't be a steakhouse loser.

P.P.S. Awful.

P.P.P.S. Our dear friend Alex from UVA got married in his hometown of Seoul, Korea. This was their e-invitation. Just. Stunning. We were there in spirit!