Sister visit

My sister Lynn came for a visit from Illinois this weekend. It was good to see her and we had a great time. Here, we put Bryden in his Boppy chair with the new tray. He is old enough to really play with toys now and he likes this one that spins and plays little tunes.

Cooper came with Tim one day too and we showed him pictures of himself on the blog. He laughed at himself and we all got a kick out of him!

Here Lynn is trying to entertain Bryden but he just had three shots and wasn't his usual smiley self.

Later, we took Cooper on the pontoon and he loved it...

"See, I can drive with no hands!!!"...

Looking for fish...Grandpa caught a nice sized one....

and then Cooper caught one just his size!

He also played cards with Aunt Lynn...

and won!!

Heading back in ...

Sweet moments!

In the evening, we went to Chelsea's farm for dinner...below, her next door neighbors...Hollie and baby Annabella.

Isn't she a cute thing!!

Cooper loved the farm and the tire swing!

Last but not least, Paw-Paw and Bryden listening to a story...Ha!!!

Summer pics of the girls...

Here are a few new pics Mike & Lori sent. I love these summer pictures, so totally carefree. Here is one of Bailey outside playing...

They got her this little water "hop-scotch" to play with...I think she has a ball!!

Miss Emma and her momma on a hot summer day...

so, they decided it was time to learn to swim....

or maybe not!

Sisters sitting together...

I love how Emma looks back at Bailey!!!

Daddy & Bailey reading

Mike and his girls

and THE GIRLS :o)

Happy 34th!!!

So cool, even way back then.....7/7/76 a special day! (Tim left, Mike right)Happy Birthday, Tim & Mike!!!

Patriotic special guest

Whenever we have guests...Sam and Scoobie just know. They go to the window and wait, then announce the visitor. This weekend, we had special ones...They were especially appropriate during the celebration of Independance Day. Our niece Deidre..."Dee-Dee" graduated from Marine basic training. Her family picked her up from Parris Island S.C. and took her back home for ten days before she begins the next part of her training. We were lucky that they took time for a visit with us on the way home. Mom, Kathy, on the left...Dee-Dee in yellow, friend Bree in the middle and sister Chelsea on right.

Larry said he never met a nicer bunch of kids! (Or better looking!) Behind Larry is Donnie (named for me, I think...ha!) and my cousin, Joel, sitting next to Chelsea and Dee-Dee.

They were good sports and sportsmen...but hot weather-fishing...not good!!

- lots of stories, lots of laughs and great time spent with family...that's the best!!

and to cap it off, the sailboats were out on regatta...so pretty dancing on the water.

Later, -card games, more stories, more laughing!

Cousin Joel, like a brother to me....

a great time, and now on the road home to Wisconsin...

With soldiers like this, our country can be sure it is in good and capable good hands...

PFC Deidre Nieman.

This says it all.....

July 4th Weekend - Part 2

This is the first face we saw starting the patriotic holiday! Kathy brought over goodies to share knowing we have a house full of company this weekend. Blueberry stuffed french toast and feta stuffed phyllo triangles...YUM!!!! They were delicious!!!

Tim & Joni came and ran in the Balloonfest 5K...Tim came in first in his age category...good going Tim!!

Joni ran too and took the time to wave to favorite son Cooper.

We went home and continued birthday month with a few things left for Cooper...

He turned into "Cooperman"!!...or Super Cooper, take your pick.

Then, meanwhile G-pa blew up his pool with the "help" of Tim, Joni and Scott.

Success!!

We celebrated Tim/Mike's BD this week too...

This is the face of a busy boy!!

Aunt Chelsea's gift next...playdoh!!

Making a nose with Momma...

A sleepy Bryden came later in the day.

and Cooper had a cousin kiss for him!

The first day of July 4th weekend...

Every year we have a special celebration in our town on July 4th. Hot air balloon pilots from all over come and the town holds a festival. Our children, come when they can because there is something for everyone to do, a parade, an ice cream fest, a field filled with concessions to watch the balloons glow in the evening, fireworks, etc....a little piece of Americana. This year Tim, Joni and Cooper are coming early to run in a 5k first thing. My cousin from Wisconsin is also coming with his family after picking up their daughter who has just completed basic training in South Carolina. Seeing Deidre, ("Dee-Dee") in her uniform will be a special celebration of Independance Day!

Every year I write with chalk on the driveway....
Tonight as we were eating dinner, we heard a hissing above our deck...it was a sky filled with balloons...starting their first race.

The sky was bright blue and the balloons showed up so well....

The weather was just perfect too....warm without being hot, had a slight breeze...just the kind of weather that you wish all summer was filled with!

I counted 7 overhead at one time...what a joy!!

Each one is unique....you hear it's hiss, then quiet. Sometimes you can hear them talk. Sometimes, we yell "hello!" and they poke their heads over and wave hello back...fun!

The last one to go over...

Then back to dinner...Larry hates to have his picture taken, but this one with Scoobie sitting under his chair was just too funny!

Cheers!! ...to a happy and safe Fouth of July!!!!