Meet Bernie...

That's right...we are now dog owners...Lord, help me!

Bernie is 5 and 1/2 years old...he's part German Shepherd and part Chow and part Lab and part Akita...otherwise known as a mutt! He is very well trained and great with our kids. He was previously owned by one of the guys I teach with, and Bernie needed a new home. We've been "dog sitting" for a week and we all LOVE Bernie...so he's going to become the newest member of the Wills family. I was informed tonight by Kate that he needs to be in our Christmas picture...that girl is always planning...wonder where she gets that?!

First Day of School 2010

First of all...my apologies to my three readers...its been way too long. I have so much to post, but there is no way I can do it tonight...you see, it was the kids first day...and mine, too...so we are all wiped out. Check back after the weekend and I will hopefully have posted pictures of Bob and the kids' visit to the cottage this summer, as well as Camp Granny and Pop adventures!!

But for today...enjoy my kids growing faster than I'd like...I am proud of my smart, funny, beautiful bunch.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

2010

Can you believe it's Connor's last year of middle school...holy stromboli!

And to make matters worse...it's Jake's last year of elementary school!!

When this one is done school, I'm pretty sure I'll be using a walker! ;-)

How stinkin' cute is she?

And I'm pleased to report that everyone had a great first day!

Beach 2010...Part Two

Read the previous post, then click on Beach 2010...Part Two below and enjoy!!

Beach 2010...Part Two

Beach 2010...Part One

As many of you know...we went to the beach for TWELVE days...and we had such an amazing time! I have put together two videos using the pictures from our trip...way too many to download on blogger, so videos are the way to go! My whole family...Bob, me, and the kids spent the first week and had the Lacy's and Jessie with us for part of that week...we also got to spend time with the Haggertys during that first week. At the end of the first week, Pop, Granny, Lisa, Francis and Preston joined us for Part Two...unfortunately, Bob had to go home to work, so he left Monday...it was a wonderful twelve days of making memories...click on Beach 2010...Part One below to enjoy!

Beach 2010...Part One

While we were on vacation, SOMEBODY turned 10!!!

Recognize this guy?

How about this kid? Seen him somewhere before?

How about that guy on the left hammin' it up?

Jake Carey Wills turned TEN years old on July 28th...where does time go?

He is by far one of the most witty, energetic, beautiful, smart children I know...

and he's mine.

His heart is huge, his determination is unmatched, and his smile is contagious.

Happy Birthday, Jake Wills.

I love you 10 x more than you can ever love me.

Connor's back...

Connor went to Coach Wootten's basketball camp at Frostburg University for the second year in a row...he left Sunday, and we went to get him yesterday, Thursday...he had such a great time...it is an amazing camp...Robert and Wes actually went to the same camp over 10 years ago...Bob, Jake, and I headed up early so we could see Connor's 21 competition...there was a four way tie in the end, so they had playoffs, and his team came out victorious, they won the whole thing!! It was a lot of fun to watch.

Connor shooting a lay up during the 21 competition.

Connor getting his trophy during the awards ceremony...he has a blue backpack on his back...

Connor headed back with his trophy in hand.

Connor and some of his buds with Joe Wootten (Morgan Wootten's son)...

coach of Bishop O'Connell High School in Arlington, VA.

Here they are with Hall of Famer, Morgan Wootten, the most winningest coach in basketball history.
I'm thrilled he had such a great time...and I'm thrilled to have him home...all is right with the world when all my kids are under one roof...

the race

We got to hang with Mandy and Wes Saturday and Sunday last weekend...we had a yummy dinner Saturday, hung out, they taught us a new card game Monopoly Deal, and then on Sunday we went to the pool...you see, last year Wes, Mandy, Robert, Kim, and all of us headed to the pool and Wes and Mandy decided to have a race...Mandy won...and ever since that day, Wes has been itching to swim against her again...check out the results in the video below!!

I guess they'll have to come back next year...cause as of right now...they're tied!

I know I'm selfish...but I'm going to miss Wes and Mandy so much...they are two of my very favorite people in the world...you see, they left for Denver today...they are very excited to embark on this new adventure...not only are they hitting four MLB baseball games on their way out there, but they're going to be out there for four years while they go to graduate school...for Wes its law and for Mandy its PT...

of course, I wish them all the best, but I just don't like being that far away from people I love...