Cousins and new tricks

Celeste and the kids came out for a great visit. Everyone had a great time riding bikes, playing in the yard and learning sign language. There was even a soccer game where everyone got to use their new skills from this summer's early morning Soccer Camp.










And then there were the new tricks... Carl learned how to climb the door frames and my life hasn't been the same since. I walk a lot more stooped now, especially between rooms.

I love this picture of Alice and Grant. He had just given a heroic burp, and luckily I got this picture of them.

The kids and Ryan pulled up the last of the  dreaded landscaping rock and "black plastic of death", and they put down mulch. I hope that it was in time to save our redbud tree, but I have my doubts. We don't take pictures of that tree anymore.

Happy 4th of July

The hottest day of the year found us on the Best Hike of Our Lives! This hike is spoken of with a kind of reverence in our home, which is ironic since it's called Devil's Bathtub. There were 14 stream crossings, and we initially thought we were going to stay mostly dry. But come the 5th or 6th crossing, caution was tossed to the wind along with the ideas of dry clothing. 

 At our picnic spot, all the cousins decided it was time to make a dam. Hoover would be proud.

 Those were some cold wet kids by the end of our hike.

The kids and their moms successfully made it through another summer of swimming lessons. Tears were shed, feet were stomped, bribes were issued, but everyone learned a lot and no one drowned. 

Happy Spring Birthdays!

This spring Jane turned 8 years old and got baptized! 

 She was so happy!

 She really loved snuggling Grant.

 This is what happens when Carl finds my old sword and the kids commandeer the tissue paper from baby shower gifts. Fierce baby protection mode.

 Now that school has started again, I think it's fitting to include our end of the last school year party - inspired, decorated, and enjoyed by the kids most of all.

 Helen decorated her own birthday cake! Amber provided the cake and frosting; Helen provided the garden theme idea and enthusiasm.

Welcome Baby Grant!

We adopted a baby boy in April, but we wanted to wait until it was finalized before posting pictures on line. And also, life with a newborn is a little hairy.

 Here we are in the step-down NICU where we spent a few days as he got stronger.

 We were super happy to have him in our family!

 Thanks to Grandma Bee who came out and helped watch the kids while we were in Kansas picking up Grant. Carl is so happy to have someone else in the "boy room."