The New Version of "Would You Like to See Slides of our Trip?"

Things that make our vacation special: (NO, mosquitoes do not appear on this list. I would be totally happy along with everyone else if Noah had left them off the ark.)

Relatives. Lots of relatives. My cousin Chris and his family were visiting from California. Alex, Nick, and Tommy were wonderful to my kids. Tommy helped Kaitlyn catch a fish. His fishing rod may never be the same, but she had a memorable time.
After supper, I saw Davis slip over to Alex, "Do you want to go fishing with me again?" Alex was an awfully good sport.
I could sure use an Alex and Nick living next door.
An impromptu mini-reunion meant I got to see some special people I haven't seen in a long time. Uncle Jim and Sheri were two.

These two sneaky cousins armed with water guns are after Uncle Dennis.


Does Uncle Dennis look a little damp? Jeff's grin makes me wonder if he put them up to this.


Looks like Uncle Dennis isn't the only one who got wet. : )



A bunch of the aunts and mom. (Notice that green plaid wallpaper? Mom has this thing for green plaid wallpaper. Twelve-step programs must be available somewhere for this addiction.)


This is my grandma's side of Crooked Lake. The kids enjoyed throwing rocks off the dock just like I did. Look at all that blue!


One HUGE highlight of this trip was seeing my new nephew Lucas. If all goes well tonight Kim and Joe will bring him home tomorrow! Remember he wasn't due until September 23!

Here's a little perspective. Honestly, my sister does not have gigantic hands. What a precious miracle. Thank you for all your prayers.

M&ms from Uncle Bob, root beer floats with Auntie Sandy, four-wheeler visits from Uncle Jack, and a bed turning with my Aunt Helen are usually regular events.

From the bed turning...
I THINK this is the quilt I want to make for #5. I need to go through my fabric stash and see what I can come up with. Kenton hates it but he's not making or using it, so tough. :P

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see bald eagles on Crooked Lake. This one had a nest across from my parents. At one point both of its young were flying with it.

My brother Steve and Kenton took a quick look at the miracle and hopped the bus to the airport before heading home.


Hey, just think, at least this way you can "watch" at your own speed or "head home" before the "show" was over.

Actually, one more day of this business, sorry. :P

USCIS Pittsburgh

We interrupt this regularly scheduled vacation broadcast to report that USCIS Pittsburgh is fabulous! Why did we have to wait till adoption #2 to confirm that Baltimore is the absolute bottom of the pit and Pittsburgh rocks?

I won't bore you with all the details except to say that NO ONE looked at us as potential terrorists, no one was rude to us, we were in an out on schedule with PLEASANT SMILES! Yes, 99% of the Baltimore USCIS office should be shipped via chain gang to Pittsburgh for courtesy lessons.


AND... we received word today that our adoption tax credit (applied for in March) will be sent to us in the next 6-8 weeks. Can we charge the IRS for interest?

Keeping the Tourists Away

We've just returned from our annual summer trip to the Northland. This year's unfortunate theme was mosquitoes. I'm sure that at some time while I was growing up there the mosquitoes were as voracious but I don't remember it. Some things one prefers not to recall. (Although I think wimps...uh, I mean, people from Maryland were certain that the year we got married in Minnesota was equally evil.)

Call it Cutters, Deep Woods Off, Avon Skin-So-Soft, Repel or whatever contains high concentrations of whatever repels mosquitoes and I'll spray it on. My favorite perfume is Deep Woods Off, my favorite music is the sound of repellant being sprayed, and one of my favorite sights is zillions of dragonflies and bats at the smorgasbord. Are you getting our Minnesota theme yet? If you haven't already guessed it, the bugs were BAD.

Inspite of the bug problem, we had a good time at the lake.




Kaitlyn continues to adore her cousin Jaycie. I think this is partially attributable to Jaycie being a good sport about sharing her cell phone.

One highlight was that Megan learned to water ski. Woohoo!



More to come...

Lucas Adam in color

Here's my new little nephew.

Mom said he's already smiling.
Kim and her little one.
Thank you, Lord, for a healthy baby and mama.

Lots of Cousins

We have enjoyed lots of cousins lately. Four have been visiting from Mexico and two from Ohio. Lots of playing.



"Klaitlyn" and Jenna posing. Cheese!



This goofy trio and another cousin were together at choral camp. Imagine that room on a sugar high!

Davis and Natalie being difficult for the photographer.


Lydia and grandma at the beach.
I got all the littles except Cameron one morning. This was the easiest form of transport.

Jamison and Lydia - not very cooperative
Relays on the Fourth of July
Brooke
Right now there are 17 cousins on this side. Lord willing, next year there will 19.

"Poor" grandpa and grandma at Christmas time, eh?

Applesauce

Yep, it's that time of year again. I was...um...fortunate to get Yellow Transparents from Kenton's mom. Kenton likes YTs and I prefer Ginger Gold. YTs are free. Bummer!


Kaitlyn was a big help. She's three-going-on-forty, you know! She grabbed every paring knife that was left unattended, added dish soap to "wash" apples in the sink, and drained the sinks while emptying the traps and shoving all that was caught DOWN THE DRAIN.
I discovered that Jamison and Megan are old enough to run a paring knife....

and that Davis still loves to run the grinder.

We did 54 quarts. I broke in my new gas stove. Literally. The automatic lighting feature decided to give up the ghost....minutes after the applesauce adventure began.

We get to do more tomorrow. Won't that be fun?

A Dog's Life

Have I mentioned that I detest animals? Especially pets. Pepper is no exception.

Pepper loves to spread trash all over the yard. Even newly created trash...you know, those things that prior to contact with Pepper were someone's possessions.

Pepper is learning to lead Megan around the yard.

Pepper's favorite restroom is my flower bed. Right next to the rose bush.

Pepper's good at wrestling with Davis.

Pepper likes to splash his freshly filled water bowl all over the porch and rip up the dog food bag.

Pepper prefers the game keep-away to frisbee.

Pepper will jump through hoops to play with Davis.


Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper, too?