Happy 1st Birthday Clara

Her "Cake Smash" was very tame.

 

Michigan in July

Here are some highlights from our trip to Michigan this summer.

Grandpa spoiling little Clara!

 Nate's cousin Vicki on the left pregnant with TWINS.

Congratulations on Elizabeth Erin and Gabrielle Sue.

And Nate's TWIN Great Aunt and Uncle

Lloyd and Lois

celebrating their 95th Birthday.

Isn't it amazing to see these photos side by side?! 

Infant Twins and Elderly Twins

 Here is my (almost) brother-in-law Peter with Ellen cuddling on the couch.

Congratulations to Aunt Betsy and Peter on their engagement.

 Two little treats for two little girls

 

This is Nate's cousin Megan and her son Cam at a family party. 

 

 

Here our family at Lake Ann Camp where we picked up Grace for summer camp.  Don't be confused, Nate is holding Moses and Marvin is holding Clara. 

Peter will be in this photo in just a few short months - we had such a nice, relaxing visit to Michigan!

 

NO MORE Thumb Sucking!

We have tried to stop thumb sucking with all our kids.

Grace stopped on her.  Sam stopped because of an infection.  Rita stopped a few weeks ago.  

The motivation:  Braces on her Doll!

Brilliant idea by our orthodontist and it worked like a charm.

This is Rita and this is Julie before the procedure.

Rita got to pick out Julie's colors.

Rita's orthodontist took it very seriously.  As you can see, he put on gloves.

Good job Rita!  Julie looks so cute.

Saturday Pizza Class

While I was taking Grace to the airport to go to camp, Nate took the kids to a pizza class.

It was a darling class.  They got to pick all the toppings that they wanted and they shaped their pizzas like fish.  They even gave Clara her own apron and hat!

 I love how the gloves are so big on their hands!

Sam loves meat and cheese and basil!

Clara - 11 months old

Clara is 11 months old and at a really fun stage!

Clara loves dinner time.

She loves to play in the sunroom.

She loves the cat.  The feeling is mutual.  Adidas will not move when Clara is around.

Clara loves her daddy.

WE Love JUNE!

Dump sink baths are very popular and quick in our house.

 My little helper at Wal-Mart.

 The kids are still LOVING the trampoline.

 This is one of our favorite errands, going to see Walter at the shoe repair shop.

 Happy Fathers Day!

Breakfast at McDonalds

 Taking a moment to hugs the kids.

 Jerilyn, our live-in summer intern, has given us a few opportunities to get out without our kids.  It has been so fun to go out to some of our favorite spots in the area... so thankful.

 Sammy meeting a dog while getting ice cream.

Our Monthly Cooking Class with all the kids and friends!

 Sam had a play date with his buddy Luke.  Luke has two new kittens.

 A night out for burgers.

 Breakout the slip-N-slide!

Flying Alone and Going to Camp!

On Saturday, Grace got on an airplane BY HERSELF and flew to Michigan to visit Grandma and Grandpa and go to camp.  I am so proud of her.  She was so excited and so sweet in the airport.  She was thrilled to get to fly solo, you can tell by her big smile.

Last wave, "Bye Mama!"  I love that I don't embarrass her (yet!)

 Before boarding the camp bus.  She knows all these girls because they go to Grandma and Grandpa's church in Michigan.  The two girls on the right are good family friends.  

I am dying to hear how she is doing this week.

 The entire church group that went to camp.  Grace and her friends were the youngest in the group.  So thankful for this opportunity for her to go.  We will drive up there to pick her up this weekend.