California Summer

Mary and I continued to enjoy good company while Joshua was in Italy. Visalia experienced a record number of days in a row with triple digit temperatures while we were there, but we managed to stay mostly cool and had fun with the family.

 

We had a jamming day where we made two batches of peach jam and a batch of plum jam. It was a lot of cooking over a hot stove, but produced tasty results.

Photo credit: Heather

We had an outing to get frozen yogurt on a Friday afternoon, followed by an impromptu pizza party at the Trevinos' house. 

Photo credit: Jonah

This little guy is so cute and happy; he has the greatest expressions whether he's lighting up the room with a grin or making us laugh with silly faces.

Photo credit: Michelle

Dad was busy all month working on moving Midtown to a new location, but he still made it to frozen yogurt with us.

The Sunday before Emery's birthday we had a birthday dinner for her.

Photo credit: Michelle

Photo credit: Jonah

Photo credit: Michelle

The Nickell kids spent the night with us a couple times while Heather was out of town for a training conference. It was a common sight to see them reading Calvin and Hobbes, something we used to enjoy on hot summer days.

On Wednesdays, Heather, Michelle, and the kids would come out and we'd all hang out and go swimming or work on projects. One week, Mom made playdough.

Mary became increasingly active, even while she slept. One day I found her rotated 90 degrees and pushed up against the side of the bassinet. 

Photo credit: Michelle

 Michelle gave us a playmat they are done with, and it was a big hit. Mary had a nice place to move around and often had company. She rolled all the way over onto her belly one night while hanging out on the playmat.

Photo credit: Michelle

After being there for a whole month with everyone, it was hard to say goodbye.

Photo credit: Heather

What a blessing it is to be surrounded by a loving family.

Three Sisters

And their three girls

Two Months

Mary is growing more and more active. She loves faces and attention and smiles happily when people talk to her. 

She just started rolling and can successfully roll onto either side. For not being able to roll to her belly or lift up her head, she can move around a surprising amount when placed on a flat surface. She often ends up on one side of her mattress during the night even though I place her in the middle. 

 Mary blows bubbles and practices using her vocal cords by cooing and making all kinds of sounds.

 She is sweet and fun and a delightful little person.

Meeting Great Grandpa

On Thursday morning Mom, Joshua, Mary, and I loaded up the car and drove to Southern California. We arrived mid-morning and promptly introduced my grandpa to Mary.

Four generations

We had lunch at Grandpa and Eleanor's house and enjoyed a visit with them before heading to LAX to drop off Joshua. He flew out of LAX later that afternoon heading for the Collegium Phaenomenologicum. It's a three-week philosophy conference held in Italy every summer for faculty and advanced graduate students.

Photo credit: Heather

Mary and I are staying with Mom and Dad while Joshua is gone. We miss him a lot, but thankfully have lots of good company here.

Photo credit: Heather

On Sunday, Mary wore another one of her new outfits.

Fourth of July

We started celebrating the Fourth of July on the third with our traditional trip to the Rawhide game for snow cones and fireworks.

Photo credit: Heather

Ezra was prepared for the loud fireworks.

The firework show was a little shorter than expected, but the fireworks were great.

Photo credit: Heather

On the fourth, we had a barbecue dinner and swimming at Mom and Dad's house. Mary was festive in the outfit the Nickells gave her at the shower.

Photo credit: Heather

 I made my traditional contribution: red, white, and blue fruit tarts.

Photo credit: Heather

After dinner, we headed to the Nickells' house for dessert and fireworks.

Photo credit: Michelle

Michelle handed out glow sticks; some people ended up with more than others

We enjoyed another good firework show once it got dark.

Visiting Visalia

Photo credit: Heather

We arrived in Visalia Saturday evening and started things off by celebrating Natalie's 10th birthday on Sunday. 

Monday Joshua and I enjoyed a delicious sushi lunch date before his trip. We left Mary in good hands with her aunt and cousins.

We returned to the Nickells' house after lunch and enjoyed a game of Pandemic before meeting Dad and Mom for dinner.

Photo credit: Michelle

Photo credit: Tom

On Tuesday we had a dinner with the family and Tom and Janelle. They drove out from Chicago for a couple days and it was fun to catch up with them.