For Labor Day weekend we were able to take a trip to Atlantic Beach. It was Benton's first time at the ocean, and the first time Adaline could really enjoy it.


We stayed at Atlantis Lodge, an extended family business, where there were plenty of kids and dogs to share in the fun! This was the first time I have seen Adaline sit and play for longer than a few minutes. She had so much fun in the sand, and the tidal pools were perfect for the kids to splash around in. Nana, Pops, and Trixie were there, too, and we all had a great time.




We were all worn out in the end, but cannot wait for a return trip.

Benton has been continuing to work on cereal and has gotten more and more in his tummy. We will start some veggies soon. He has also been able to roll over, and I have included a video below. Adaline can't wait until he can play with her, as you can see from all the kitchen supplies she loaded him down with.

Along our rollercoaster...

Some other ups and downs that we have experienced lately:

Good news: Shane decided in church the other weekend to get baptized. He was baptized as a baby, but did not feel it was very meaningful for him then, as he doesn’t remember it. Therefore, he wanted to go through it as an adult where he would really understand and remember the purpose.

Bad news: Our beautiful niece, Tallison Anamier, was diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic. Now we really know there is a family link – Me, Josh (my brother and Talli’s dad), and Tallison. Wow! Josh and I were diagnosed later in life (our 20s) while Talli is not yet 2. It will be difficult for their family while they work to help Talli understand what is happening. Please keep them in your prayers. Hopefully, we can help discover a cure soon!

Finally Home

So, yes, it has been two months since an update on the Brown family. We have been on quite a roller coaster lately. July and August were still mostly spent at camp and staying busy there, but we also ended up traveling to both Colorado and New York. My grandmother (Dot Anamier, “Nanny”), a fabulous woman, passed away, and the trips were both for her. The first, to Colorado, was a trip to take Adaline and Benton out to visit, as we knew Nanny’s health was fading from cancer. It was a great visit, full of family, and I am so happy that we made it out there. The airplane rides were no fun, but all was worth it to spend a little more time with such a wonderful lady. Only a few short weeks later, we would be traveling up to New York for her funeral. Shane unfortunately was only able to make the trip to New York due to camp duties, but we all have great memories of Nanny to hold in our hearts.

A family shot with Nanny


Adaline with uncle Brandon / Chase and Rachel

Nana and Adaline at the aquarium / Adaline and Talli reading books together

When we got back from Colorado, it was time to move back home with the kids. Shane stayed in the mountains for an extra few weeks of camp, but I was back to work, Adaline was back to school, and Benton was beginning school for the first time. The transition was tough on me, but the kids seemed pretty happy. I am working with Kindergarten now, which is a huge change from 3^rd grade, but I am getting used to the craziness, chaos, and potty issues. I guess it is good practice for what is to come.

Adaline enjoying the mirror in her room at camp(she loves a mirror) / first ice pop

Shane did his second annual "Hurt, Pain, and Agony" ride in July and finished with a better time than last year, with added miles! Way to go Shane!

Happy Birthday America

Another fourth of July celebration at Cheerio this year! It was a bit rainy at dinner time, so we had to have a "cook-in," but things cleared up and turned out absolutely beautiful for our festivities. Below are some pictures from the evening.

Gearing up for the rain (glad Benton can finally ride in the double stroller) / our view after the rain cleared

Adaline biting into her watermelon, and adding some flair to her outfit.

Adaline and Benton had a late night. After dinner, we usually head up to our place for Adaline's bath and bedtime, but on the 4th, our night was just beginning. First we watched the cabins parade in and put on a show, with each performing a song or dance. Then, onto the hill for the staff performance and fireworks. This was really Adaline's first experience with fireworks, as the past two summers she slept through them. She sat on my lap, had a slightly worried face, and said "no" a lot, but still kept watching and made it through to the end. Benton slept through all the bangs and booms. We completed the evening with ice cream in the dining hall before our guests had to head home. We were joined by several friends and family and had a wonderful day.


The Sunday before the fourth, my parents and Trixie came for a visit and brought along a new swim suit for Benton. We were able to take the kids to the pool for a bit, and I think Benton enjoyed his first experience there.


all tuckered out!

Summer continues on.

As usual things have been very busy, but very fun at Cheerio. We have made it through our first two sessions and are now in our two week all girls session. It is hard to believe that the time is going so quickly and that our coed staff will be arriving next week for training.

Adaline continues to have a great time, spending most of her days playing outside. Favorite activities include throwing and chasing balls, playing with dogs, chasing bubbles, and swimming at the pool. She loves the food and we love not having to cook three times a day. She had her first Oreo here, and we realized you don't have to teach a kid how to eat an Oreo. She immediately opened it and began licking the cream filling. Adaline is still working on new words every day, and she has started working with a local speech therapist for the time we will be at camp. She gave us some exercises to do to help strengthen Adaline's muscles (i.e. using a straw, moving her tongue around).


While Adaline is busy running around camp, Benton is spending all of his time just riding around in his seat and taking in all of the sights. When Adaline was his age, she slept all of the time, but Benton really seems to be trying to get a look at everything. He is still eating like a champ and is becoming quite a big guy. We did a pretty rough weigh in and he is already over 15 pounds! The first two pictures below are a comparison of Adaline and Benton at about the same age...in the same outfit. He still is smiling lots, but he is also pretty good at letting us know when he is not happy too. One of these days Cheri will be able to sleep again at night and it will be glorious.



Jim, Pete and I will be riding again in this year's Hurt, Pain, and Agony ride again and Michaux will be joining the team too. The course will be slightly different this year and should give us about 72 miles this year instead of the usual 66. We have been riding most mornings and our training is off to a pretty good start. I did have a pretty good crash about a week and a half ago, but was able to keep up my riding schedule. I was on a pretty fast descent and got into a little gravel and ran off the road. I did about two flips down an embankment and somehow managed to only come away with a big bruise across the back of my right leg. I got pretty luck and I have slowed down a little on my descents since the crash.