One Berry, Two Berry, Pick Me a Blueberry

This morning we got ourselves together and out of the house by 8:15 to pick blueberries. It was unseasonably cool for July 1 (67 at 9am) and, with Mender here, I had help with the little kids. The ripe berries were a little sparse, but everyone persevered until we had 1 gallon. A fun day today; blueberry pancakes for breakfast tomorrow! (Kate ate at least 1 pint right there in the field. I'm afraid her intestines are going to turn blue.)

One of Our Cuter Little Messes

It's Nate's, in case you're wondering (orange chalk).

Big Girl Bed

Kate is now the proud occupant of a big girl bed and the new "Girls' Room." We switched bedrooms around this week: Meg and Kate in one room; Nate (and soon to be Caleb) in the other. Everyone seems quite pleased so far and I think the rooms are going to turn out pretty cute. Good thing, too, because I hope I don't have to make any changes until everyone leaves for college! When we're all done I'll post some pictures. (Mom and Dad, does she look like me in this picture?)

Fireflies

Last Saturday we had a cookout at our neighbors' and were walking home right at dusk. The fireflies were out so we told Meg and Nate if they could get ready for bed quickly they could come back out and catch some. This was their first firefly experience; they loved it!

Final Florida Fling

My parents are moving to Birmingham at the end of the summer, so we flew down in early June for one last Florida vacation. (We'll be there in July for their "retirement party," but might not have much play time on that trip.) We spent hours at the pool and beach. Meg, Nate, Erik, and my dad took an airboat ride in the Everglades and went flying in my dad's plane. We had a great time--and it was actually cooler there than it was here that week (mid 80s in FL vs. mid 90s in Hotlanta)!

The Everglades

Childhood pals Jeanne (Doyle) Mejeur, Gemma (Casamasina) Kibben and I got all our kids together for a swim. A pretty good looking crew (despite Jacob's nose-piking pose--sorry Jeanne!) Mine are the three in the front on the left. Gemma's are the three in the back on the left. Jeanne's are the 1st and 3rd from right (second from right is a friend of Jeanne's daughter.) Not pictured: Caleb back at the house napping; Gemma's son who was born a few weeks after the picture was taken.

Happy Birthday Kate

We celebrated Kate's 2nd birthday (May 25)

in Connecticut while we were visiting Erik's family.

Cousins

Tyler and Kylie (1st and 2nd from left) are Crista (Erik's twin sister) and Chuck's kids. They shared their house and toys and new swing set for Kate's party. (Thanks Crista and Bethany for decorating and thanks everyone for the cute gifts. Kate had a great day.)

Back home, opening gifts from Pappy and MeMa.

(and thanks for the watch Jan!)

Trees, final chapter

As promised, here is the "after" photo of the new trees. The edge of the grass is where the old line of trees was, so all the dirt (which we hope will become grass this fall) is "new" space.