Maine trip

We got to visit Jeff's grandparents, aunt, mom, and two sisters in Maine for a long weekend. It was perfect weather. We had fun just spending time together, cooking meals, walking, and enjoying the views. We took a ton of pictures if you feel strong enough to look at them all I will email them to you, just let me know:) Here are just a sample. Jeff's grandparent's cottage was right on the ocean.

A wedding

Jeff, Ana, and I just got back from a family wedding. It really was a family event. My grandparents got married. It's such a great story I wanted to share it. My biological grandparents got divorced over 30 years ago.
My grandmother remarried -- he's the man I knew as my grandfather. He passed away a couple of years ago. My biological grandfather moved in with my parents and got re-acquainted with my grandmother. They started dating and now are married. . .again. It is a beautiful story of redemption. We are all broken people, but this a wonderful example to me of how we can be restored in relationships. Jeff and my aunt sang the song "Your Grace Still Amazes Me" by Phillips, Craig and Dean. It was highly appropriate as these two people who left relationship with one another in a hurtful way have grown in Christ who then restored their relationship with one another. The wedding was officiated by my cousin, my uncles were ushers, my mom played piano, my sister flute, my husband and aunt sang, and my uncle did the photography. All the "kids" of my grandparents played a part and where thrilled with this coming together. I found myself getting misty eyes during the ceremony. After the reception we all went and hung out and my grandparents' house. Someone commented that not to many people bring their grandchildren and great-grandchildren on their honeymoon:)

Summer Time

I feel as though I am an ostrich pulling my head out of the sand, I have lost contact with folks this summer. Some days I just wonder what happened. The past few weeks in particular. Do not get me wrong the weeks have been lots of fun. We had guests of Fred stay with us for a night. Then our friends the Whites came and stayed with us a few days later. Above is a picture of Jessika being attacked in a loving embrace by Mick and Liam.
Then the same day they left my family came to visit for the 4th of July. Here is Ana with her cousins, Emma and Zoey as well as Aunt Chris. After the fam left we headed to Chicago to visit with Jeff's sister and a recent grad from Kenyon. As soon as we returned it became busy with summer conferences. It was wonderful to spend time with all these folks. I am blessed to have all these people in my life.

Ana is learning some new things. She enjoys pulling hair, sitting up, rolling from a sitting position, peek-a-boo, patty cake, and vocalizing, especially with the "ddd" sound.

Beantown

The last week of May beginning of June we got to visit with Jeff's family in Boston. It was great to be back in the city since we left exactly one year ago! Ana got to go to the ocean for the first time. Even though the water was freezing she enjoyed kicking her feet in the water. Check out her Red Sox outfit in that photo:) There is also a picture of Jeff, Ana, and I in Copley square with to tortoise and the hare. We had a great time visiting with folks, riding the "T", and being in the city. This was also Ana's first plane ride. She slept through most of it. Now we head back to the village for a summer working with the conferences. As a note no one who lives in Boston calls it "Beantown".

PA visit

Ana and I got to visit with my family for a week while Jeff took a class. It was lots of fun! Ana can now roll across a room. She also got her first tooth! At the top you can see Ana and cousin Zoey while we were at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh. Then there is a picture of cousin Emma holding Ana with Aunt Chris there to supervise. In the side picture Ana is working on her sitting up skills. This only lasts for brief moments, but you can tell she is getting stronger. There is also a picture of some of my mom's family at the Memorial Day picnic.