Visiting Grandma Trish

We made the long drive up to Wisconsin to see my cousin Teresa get married.  It's been a while since one of my cousins had a wedding so we were excited to see everyone again.  On the way to the wedding location, we stopped to see my grandma at her nursing home.  The girls, as always, loved the playground there.

Kate liked giving GT "fives"

I don't remember a time when my grandmother didn't have her finger nails painted and it's still true even now that she's in a nursing home.  She was excited to see Grace's fingers painted in a similar color to her own and they spent several minutes comparing manicures :)

Groups shots-

After our great visit, we headed to the hotel for the rehearsal dinner and a quick swim.  The hotel was great and reminded me of hotels we stayed at as a child.  The rooms were around the pools and the pools were great for the girls.

It was great to be able to hang out with my own cousins and their kids.  (oh- and we lasted about 5 minutes in our room with all four of us- thanks Aunt Tina for your quick talking to the front desk to get us a suite :))

Sometimes I'm at a Loss for Words...

Kate.  Sometimes she is a bit of a challenge.  But with every challenge there is usually a laugh.  When we got home from shopping and parked in the garage, she refused to come upstairs with Grace and me.  She wanted to ride in her "car."  I had my hands full and patience spent so Grace and I just left her in the garage, keeping the door open into the basement.  As I was putting away the groceries I heard the basement door close.  I was relieved thinking she had given up and would be heading upstairs any minute. Grace and I waited for a few more minutes but she never came up.  I walked down and found this-

I still don't know how she got that car through the maze in our garage and into the basement.  But there she was- driving that car all around inside the basement...

Kate Swim Lessons

Kate did really well in her group swim lessons so we decided to try individual lessons.  She did great!  I predict she will be swimming on her own by next summer :)

Kate 18 month pictures

A few of my favorites-

Special Camp Visit

Jack volunteered at Special Camp again this year.  The campers always love him and I know he gets a lot out of the experience so I'm glad when he can work the time into his schedule.  The girls and I went up to visit him on "Talent Show Night."  Everyone had a great time.  We all participated in their music time before the show.

I don't have any pictures from the talent show but it was a great experience.  The campers were so uninhibited and could care less what anyone thought- and honestly, their fellow campers cheered them on like they were the best singers and dancers in the world.  If we all could have that courage and also that kind of support for one another the world would be a better place.

Weather Camp

Grace also spent a week at "Weather Camp."  She learned a lot about meteorology and weather systems and was excited to go every day.

Grace missed her and refused to move :)

Summer Fun

Maxed Out

I've been trying to post for a few weeks and I kept getting errors.  I finally figured out I maxed out the "free blog" :)   I had to purchase some additional storage and I'll be back soon....

Reading Camp

Grace has spent three weeks this summer at reading camp.  She has really enjoyed herself and is learning a lot!  She brings home books to read as homework and is really improving.  She is starting to recognize words and apply them- such as "Women" on a restroom sign means that one is hers.  They have also been studying about recycling in her classes.  Here are some pictures from a parade they did with costumes they made from recycled materials

Grace has really taken the recycling to heart and has been questioning everything she uses as to whether it can be recycled.  The other day she walked into the kitchen, looked in the trash, saw a gatorade bottle Jack had just thrown in there, pulled it out, put it in the recycle basket and walked away shaking her head, without a word :)

Love These Two :)

Father's Day AND Nana Jeanne!

Since we spent the  night in the hotel, breakfast was easy but not much selection :)

Grace was SO excited about the gift she picked out for Jack.  She had the idea weeks before and asked me to find her one to give him.  She knew he would LOVE it!

After our celebration we continued home.  But, we made a very special stop to see my favorite client turned adopted Grandmother- Nana Jeanne in North Carolina.  I have missed her since she moved away two years ago and we were so glad to see her!

Jeri's Wedding

On Saturday morning we celebrated Father's Day with Pop.

Then we headed off to Jack's cousin Jeri's wedding.  It was a beautiful day!

 Kate trying to join in on the dancing