Ho, Ho, Ho, July!

We made it back to the North Pole this year, and this time we even had the cousins and Nana and Aunt Dani along with us! Aspen and H were big enough to ride on a lot of the rides this year, and they had a BLAST!  



As did the big cousins, of course.











It was a bit of a bummer to have to pause to do something so mundane as EAT LUNCH when there were so many more rides available, but the kids had a fun time running around, entertaining themselves while we got the food.



Sabine managed to duck in to see the man, himself, after lunch. Aspen was still quite nervous, and watched from my arms. Sabine asked for a Madame Alexander doll for Christmas; we thought Aunt Betsy would be proud!













We had a blast. The little cousins blew through their naps, acting like they would never need to leave, screaming and giggling with delight. (Though both did crash as soon as they were loaded into the cars around 4:00.)



I think we will be back before too long!

Busy Summer

We've crammed a lot into this summer already, including catching a Broadway version of The Sound of Music for me and Sabine:



 (with some good friends, of course.)





 Trips to the zoo,


(where Sabine rode a Panther on the carousel, in honor of her school's mascot!)

 Trips to the Butterfly Pavillion,









 a picnic for Sabine and all her classmates, all the rising first graders (and their families.)









Sabine went to an all-day camp, which was a great experience overall, even if the Color Wars, for the last two days, were a little overwhelming with all of the competition. Fortunately, having some good friends there helped make it more enjoyable.



Aspen definitely missed her sister, and took up walking the neighbor's dog, in the meantime!



 And, of course, it wouldn't be summer without lots





and lots



and lots



and lots



and lots of playdates!



We've even been inspired to break out our little pool at home!

Happy Independence Day!

A week late, but happy Independence Day!

We had an excellent fourth, first celebrating this sweet cousin's birthday:



over at Aunt Dani and Nana's house, where all the kids got to play



then celebrate with cake



and cupcakes







The fireworks show actually happened the night before, in Erie, this year. Aspen and I stayed home and went to bed on time, while Daddy and Sabine met Aunt Dani and the cousins, along with Jay and Kara and their boys, Drew and Melissa and their kids, and Sabine's bestie, O, and her daddy.

All the kids apparently had an excellent time running around and sharing a picnic dinner beforehand





and then watched a really great show together,



getting home exceptionally late...but it was worth it!

Blueberry Girl's Birthday

Last Friday, June 24, was Sabine's doll Blueberry Girl's birthday. (Sabine remembered it from a tradition started LAST YEAR at Grandmom and Grandpa's house!)

So of course we had to celebrate. Fortunately, Grandmom and Grandpa were fresh back from their travels, and able to come down to help make it a real party.

Naturally, there was cake. Grandpa and Sabine made the frosting, and did all of the decorating.



We sang, and Sabine helped her blow out the candle.







And then everyone had a good time partaking of the cake!









Grandmom and Grandpa even brought Blueberry Girl a birthday present:



So she now has a new outfit. And she seems to be particularly enjoying her new bonnet!



Happy birthday, Blue!