the me and mine project {july}

Rich is loving

* watching Preacher on Amazon Prime.

* getting to see all of Dylan's school work from this year.

* seeing Ashlyn crawling about.

* some really good work training in Germany.

* having a new phone with 4G.

Lucy is loving

* having all three kiddos home for six weeks.

* seeing Quinny getting so mobile.

* two amazing end of year reports for Dylan and Everly.

* the performing arts festival at Dylan's school.

* the fact that we've been married for seven years TODAY!

Dylan is loving

* the school holiday finally being here.

* singing songs from his school performing arts festival.

* reading his book all about the human body.

* playing Pokemon Go.

* swimming in Nanny's hot tub.

Everly is loving

* picnics.

* collecting My Little Pony blind bags.

* her jelly flip flops.

* getting Quinny to smile for her.

* summer dresses.

Ashlyn is loving

* crawling everywhere and standing up.

* food, especially Ella's Kitchen Bangers and Mash.

* sleeping in her new cot.

* stealing the television remotes.

* Mummy!!!!

Right now it feels like life is totally flying by. I cannot believe that July is over already when it really does only just feel like June finished. Over half of the summer is behind us already, but this final third is the best one, where we all get to have lots of family time and plenty of adventures. I just really hope September doesn't fly round as quickly as the last few months have.

We got our photos this month on a summery, sunshine filled day out at the local country park. It was exactly the simple kind of day out that I love; just enjoying nature and laughter and being together. In fact it's actually the same country park that we went to for our March family photos and looking back at those kind of stopped me in my tracks. March wasn't really that long ago, but what a difference four months has made; I swear that Dylan and Everly both look taller and more tanned and more blonde, the trees were bare back then and now everything is in full bloom, and don't even get me started on our little Quinny, she was a fuzzy haired dot back then and now she's looking so big. I'm so proud of this family of mine, I honestly look at them in these photos and cannot believe they are mine. 

This last photo I actually thought was going to be an outtake... and while it is far from a perfect family photo (not least because you can't really see Dylan or Everly's faces) it kind of captures a perfect family moment. When I take our portraits I put my camera into burst mode so that it will take 10 in quick succession, I work on the basis that the more I get there is more chance of everyone looking good. And on this occasion as I ran back to the blanket with Everly, she decided that instead of lying down she would jump onto her daddy instead. Dylan thought the whole thing was hysterical and started trying to tickle them both. The whole thing basically descended into chaos in a matter of seconds. And as the camera started taking it's burst of shots we were all too busy laughing and tickling and generally being silly to even think of the camera. But I really love the result, because this is us; being goofy and playing together and far from picture perfect but happy nonetheless. 

Make sure you tag your family photos with #meandmineproject on Instagram, and we'll share some of our favourites. And link up your family photos at the bottom too, I can't wait to see them all. Of course, do remember to pop by my cohost's blogs and see what Alex, Fritha, Jenny, Katie and Lucy's families are sharing this month.

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