Elle, Ry, and Mase,
June and July. We had a vacation trip to WV and KY, some injuries (mostly with Mason- the biggest one shown below), teeth lost (both boys), a visit from Grandma in Harrisonburg, Rylan’s birthday and party, two dates for Mommy and Daddy, 4th of July celebrations, a Mommy/boys date to Waffle House, another redecoration in the house (entryway this time), life group meetings again, a spur of the moment Saturday evening driving to and from Fredericksburg for bike parts, swimming in our pool, softball games watching Daddy at Friendship Park, and lots of outside exploring. Oh AND a pacifier giving-up from Elli — she’s now paci free (plus one front tooth cavity that may or may not be thanks to said paci).
For our vacation, we spent one night at New River Gorge in West Virginia at an AirBnB house. Mason, you got your first dog bite, and now you think all dogs are evil (minus Leanne’s Nala and Aunt Heidi’s Mocha). We went hiking and Mason, you cried the entire time on the long hike except when we were at the top — that was before the dog bite. You did have a good time in general, but those were some lowlights.
We spent Tuesday - Sunday morning with Leanne’s family at their house. We didn’t see Leanne or Caleb much the first day and a half, because planting season was in full swing, but we did lots of things while we were there- including swimming, eating out, watching the documentary about their county/town, bike and dirt bike riding, playing in a field, exploring Abraham Lincoln’s childhood home place, other farm work, yummy meals at the house, and relaxing. The kids didn’t want us to leave- everyone had a good time.
We ate supper and then had ice cream in Harrisonburg with Grandma one Saturday.
Rylan, Mason shot your tooth out of your mouth with a nerf gun- we tied the string to the bullet and to your tooth, and Mason did the shooting.
Mason, you injured yourself the day before Rylan’s birthday- you were pogo sticking on wet deck steps and face planted onto the patio. You had a bad lip laceration inside your bottom lip, one on the outside of your top lip, and a big goose egg on your forehead. Later that week you also got a really bad case of swimmer’s ear. So that was a week of pain for you.
Rylan, one of your favorite presents from your birthday was Super Penguin - Nonni’s felting creation for you. You love him. Also, Mason made those decorations AND that crown for your birthday!
It was raining for your birthday party, Ry, so Aunt Michele and Uncle Wesley couldn’t stay. They stayed long enough for you to open your presents, though. Then we went inside and had nachos and hot dogs and dirt for dessert. Grandma stayed Friday night and Saturday night for that weekend, and Pap stayed Saturday.
Daddy played softball this year for the church softball team. It ended up being a lot of fun for all of us- I didn’t take many pictures, though. You three mostly loved the sand pits, the other kids, the playground, and riding your bikes. The four of us even went to a few games when Daddy couldn’t go because of work!
Mommy and Daddy got an anniversary date in Waynesboro and in July we got another date where we went to Winchester (and Mommy almost overheated …..at least it felt like it- I can’t remember the last time I felt that bad because of heat.)
Our remodeled entryway! The painting got a little scary up near the top but we did it ourselves! Mr. Larry helped us hang the new light.
How much do you think the mail lady loved coming up to our porch where a bloody, dead snake was laying on a ramp??
Mason, you did a lot of work in our woods, cutting down trees and making a bike path.
Elli, you love the Jaguar, and I’ve probably mentioned it before, but you’ve been asking for a pink car for months now. Also, before I forget to mention it, you are so sensitive and kind. And I wonder if your main love language will be physical touch, because you are so sweet- rubbing my back or arm or giving Daddy a kiss when he smiles at you. It’s so nice.
Mason, you got stung by a yellow jacket twice on the hand. Your hand swelled up like a balloon and stayed that way for a couple days.
We had a fourth of July celebration with a few families from our life group at the Tyler’s house. Food, trampolines, and whiffle ball.
We rushed home from there to Chad’s house, so we could watch him set up fireworks in our front yard. That was pretty cool!
When Nonni took Elli for a date day, the boys and I got to go to Waffle House. Elli, you and Nonni started to crash our date there, but then you switched to Golden Corral. For several weeks you couldn’t stop talking about the chocolate fountain.
Harley and Waylon came to play one day. You made a fort together with Rylan’s present from Aunt Courtney, and you played games in the pool.
The restaurant we ate at in Fredericksburg was really good! We watched Little House on the Prairie in the car on the way home so our Shabbat still felt a little celebrated.
Here is the round up of quotes from June and July!
“Why does Daddy care so much about hair? It’s tasteless!”
“Rylan was acting like a TEAR artist!!”
“Rylan, that’s called sarcasm.”
”You man mason-casm? It’s sarcasm, except Mason said it.”
“Daddy, do you want to hear my dreams?? First do you want to hear season 1, season 2, season 3, or season 4?”
”Season 1.”
”Oh, sorry. Season 1 is not available.”
“You can’t read the future. You’re not a foreign teller!”
“Rylan, doesn’t it smell a little bit like Pennsylvania?”
“Vulture two, low!!!”
“Mommy, I have ideas to make things out of useless junk.”
“Where did I get my cup?”
”At the hospital.”
”What kind of hospital? Did I die?”
Ok! That’s a wrap! I love you!