Teens!

We're definitely noticing that we have teens. In part because they're getting taller. In part because they're outgrowing clothes and shoes left and right. In part because I can't even remember how long it's been since we've asked for a kids' menu. In part because Mark and I are able to go on dates knowing that the kids are old enough and mature enough and skilled enough to handle being home by themselves. In part because in a matter of months, we'll have a 16 year old and a 13 year old. Seriously.

But mostly, I think, it's because of how much more running around we're doing for various activities, opportunities, jobs, internships, and social gatherings. There is a natural uptick that happens in a family's activity level as well as the scribbles on the family calendar when your kids get older and we are feeling it for sure.

Here, in no particular order, is a spattering of various things our teens have been doing these past several months (and I'm trying to save, for their own posts, most pictures from our CA trip and from having foreign exchange students here).

That uptick? These pictures show it. Our calendar shows it. Our odometer shows it. :P My at-times frazzled brain shows it. How quickly we fall asleep when our heads hit our pillows? That shows it, too. It's a full, exciting, wonderful life, that's for sure.

Kate, at her internship at our local indie bookstore - SUPER exciting for her!

Games, games, more games with Max's good friend Aaron

A day around town as a group of fun teens

Dressing up at the Ren Faire! Isn't he handsome?!?

These girls became fast friends at writers' camp! SUCH a great time!

A great week at chess camp with a very nice instructor

These girls had A LOT of fun around town together

My handsome boy - so sweet.

So many games :)

Kate, doing a reading at writers' camp

S'mores with friends!

Friends at writers' camp

Writing, writing, writing

Having a good time laughing and making s'mores

Cute girl and cute dog

Happy teens!

Beta testing a game design

Kate and Peyton - roommates and friends!

Writer friends!

Max, giving a speech after being presented with his 2nd degree black belt

Working at the Ren Faire!

Patrons at the Ren Faire

Camp counselors together!

Another S'mores night with friends

Off to Writers' Camp - sad to leave Scout

Hanging out at the park

Another fun day around town together with a great group of friends

Super excited to adventure with our monthly D&D group!

Besties on the swings

As Max says, "She's such a TEENager!" :P

Yes. More games!

Hanging out with friends at our town street fair - an annual tradition

And, of course, lots of playing with Jack!

D&D!

Computer games as a group

Watching something (Gilmore Girls? Movies?) as BFFs

X-Wing!

Me and my handsome growing boy!

 

Fun with Scout!

She makes us so happy!

You guessed it . . . more games

A cute picture of adorable Scout for good measure :)

More D&D

Grand adventuring to be had!

Ready to take our crazy group of adventurers on a campaign

Wii - there was some awesome "Just Dance" dancing going on that day, too!

Hanging out and playing games

Always laughing, these two

With Shannel and Shavon

With Kirsten and Avery

Wii Fun!

Me and my girl

The Rat Girls!

And with Mary and Alena at A's baby shower