stormy days {6.13.13}

 1} Storms always seem to roll up when we try to leave for WOL.

2} Tropical Storm Andrea was responsible for me being driven to work. Thanks.

3} The beginning of the IG infamous storm.

4} The only light leaking in from the aftermath.

Most people don't like thunderstorms. I've even been in the path of one terrified little dog who ran around the house and got it's head stuck in the treat box.

But that's another (funny) story for another time. We're talking about my #1 summer love: thunderstorms. The rumble of thunder, the flash of lightening...nothing else like it. Sure, it scares me because guys this is God at work and we all know what storms can do (thinking about you, Oklahoma). But that's what I love about them...they are so powerful and beautiful all at the same time.

We've gotten to the point in the summer where there's always a chance of an afternoon shower turned thunderstorm, and I've in heaven. If you need me, I'll be curled up with a book in front of my window, watching the rain pound the metal roof.

What about you, readers? Yay or nay on thunderstorms?

family game night {6.13.13}

Way back when, out family used to have Scrabble tournaments. We played Apples & Apples until we knew all of the cards. And we faithfully play several rounds of Catch Phrase at any Lyons family gathering. Our newest addition to our chest of games (you think we're kidding...there's a whole chest full of them in our living room) is Headbandz.

Yeahhh. They get a little crazy playing it.

WE LOVE THIS GAME. So much fun and laughter and inside jokes abound.So what if this game is for little kids?! It's a new family favorite. What are you waiting for? Go buy headbandz!

mudcats game {6.11.13}

Way back, Dad got a GREAT deal on some Mudcats tickets on Groupon, good for any weekday game. Since we didn't get to go to our traditional ECU Spring Break baseball game (sad story...none of our Spring Breaks were the same), we figured this would make up for it. And oh boy, it did.

Summer storms had cancelled the game the day before, so it ended up beinga double-header the night we went. We got there right around the end of the first game and hung around until the second game started AND we got to watch the whole game, even though it was shortened. Conner came along with us since we had an extra ticket, and it was just a great evening.

The view...we had some pretty awesome seats.

Hanging with the boys...and yes, we all wore gray on purpose.

We got there at golden hour and it was SO DANG PRETTY.

The players picked songs to play as they went up to bat, and there were so great.
The music at this stadium was pretty great in general.

This little cuties got to run out on the field with the players and I just about cried cause they were so precious.

No metal bleachers at this stadium. Yes.

Just chillin'.

 We OBVIOUSLY didn't eat heathly that night. BUT IT WAS SO GOOD.

Darn you $1 hot dog night.

He's giving me that look. HE REALLY DOES LOVE ME! 

So pretty. Clark and Dad went to the top of the stadium and this was the view.

We saw this and screamed "Take a picture for Kaley!" at the same time.

And I thought it was pretty during the day.  Night baseball games are the best.

Have some baseball lights bokeh, readers.

 Man, I love going to baseball games.

first swim {6.11.13}

We've had some CRAZY weather this year, and that coupled with the expense of running a pool all year long and a pool liner that is falling apart, we weren't sure we were even going to have a pool anyone, much less swim this summer. I think in worse case scenarios, and not having a pool was putting me on the edge of a breakdown. I NEED TO SWIM. Water baby, forever and always. 

Dad & Clark put in so much hard work (and chemicals), and after several weeks, it was finally ready to use. And I was so excited, I couldn't stand it. So, one hot afternoon in June, we all jumped in. And it was glorious and it felt like summer had really, truly started.

Blowing up the floats with the air compressor.
I was waiting for one to blow up the whole time.

These are the perfect towels. PERFECT. Big and soft and LONG. 

Testing the waters.

Traditional cannonball in. 

Love them both SO much. 

Kinda in love with this shot. The ombre water gets me.

I don't mind laying out either.

 I cannot WAIT for pool days, all day every day.

the cuz weekend {6.6-6.9.13}

In the midst of all the graduation festivites, Brock came to stay with us for a few days that weekend. I don't think I've ever laughed that hard or that much as I did that weekend. You get him & Clark together and they just bounce off one another, keeping me rolling on the floor. Literally. I fell out of the gaming chair they picked up at some random yard sale one Saturday afternoon up in Fuquay. We're not even sure Clark gave the money to the actual yard sale people or not. Those are the kind of adventures our family has, the kind of things that make us as close as we are. And I wouldn't trade it for the world.

So yeah, graduation weekend was pretty dang awesome, and it wasn't even MY graduation. I managed to take a few pictures inbetween laughter-crying of this two best buds in action.

The most awesome ginger in the world.

We shoot squirrels in our spare time. Don't judge us.

There was TONS of Xbox. 

And even more Dr. Pepper to fuel their Call of Duty playing.

Chillin' after capturing baby bunnies.

Good grief, I love family weekends.