For family night this evening we all cooked dinner together. Pictured here is phase one of a bowtie pasta, bacon, and green pea salad. I was in charge of the bacon bits. Maya and friend Julie prepared a salad, Nicolai handled the pasta, Kyle provided help with several components, and Jeanine focused on the apple crisp desert.

I took portraits of all the kids present. This was my favorite and the rest can be seen here.

Before the party ended, most of the adults joined the children in the pool, either intentionally or by coercion. Our sweeper was able to avoid immersion by tactical use of a lawn chair. I wound up in the water in my clothes but did have the foresight to set my camera equipment and valuables aside beforehand.

After my match this morning, (we won 2-1) the team and their families got together for a cookout and pool party. I picked up Maya and Nicolai from church and they joined me while Jeanine took Kyle to an away match (his team defeated Puma, a long time nemesis, by a 1-0 margin).

Short haired Maya showing the boys how soccer is played. Actually, Maya was a little off her game today. During practice this week she took a ball to the face and got a bloody nose. She definitely played more cautiously than normal today.

The new Maya. We could not be any prouder of her for her act of kindness.

The harvest.

Today was a big day for Maya. She decided she wanted to contribute her hair to Locks of Love. This charity provides hair prosthetics for people battling cancer. This is the before photo.

Kyle had back to back soccer practices this evening with his club and school teams. When I arrived to pick him up, the sky was amazing. One minute after I got this shot, the sky went totally gray.

It is easy to find pairs of swans on the water.  Not so common to observe them tending to their feet.

Today after work, Jeanine met me at Great Meadow and we enjoyed a moment away from the kids surrounded by nature. This Great Blue Heron was out looking for dinner.

This morning was quite foggy and I decided to stop on the way in to work for a couple of photos of the horse farm across the street.

I just love Nicolai’s freckles.

Little Miss Maya practicing the piano.