Groves Family Blog: Rest of July...

The rest of July wasn't quite as great as the start of the summer. ;) We were all pretty run down, and the kids ended up really sick for a week... summer is not the time for laying around the couch with high fevers and no appetite. Looking back at pictures though, it's easier to find the highlights.

Mud run @ Killington... we didn't expect this July event to be sub-60 degrees and rainy. So cold! That finish line photo was taken after we waded through a pool at the end, so we were much less muddy. Very thankful for the health club hot tub after this. :)

CCEF New England dinner at the Powlison's farm in VT. Alden & on Adara both sat and chatted with Kyle on this swing.

Bradford playground & Whippi Dip with friends.

"I'm playing lacrosse-game!"

Community Group cookout at the Elliott's. The kids & I got lost and almost didn't make it... I'm so glad we did! Beautiful spot, and all the kids played so well and worked hard together to make this pathway to their little house.

Amanda's bridal shower at Westford, and some time to swim.

Meanwhile, the Taber's stopped in to visit Alasdair & Alden

VBS week

Adara & Fiona onstage

Alden on Ethan's shoulders instead of in the nursery where he belonged.

The Leanders were vacationing nearby and came for dinner! Such a gift to see these sweet friends and at long last meet their son Aaron. Adara & Luci hit it off right away, the boys played whiffle ball, and all the kids chased each other in circles around the house. I wish I'd managed a good group picture!

We got a visit from Will too! Poor guy arrived just as Adara was getting super sick, so I wasn't the best hostess... but he and Alasdair had a great hike up Mt. Washington. The kids were enamored of Will's red motorcycle.

After Summer Celebration Camp... sick week. :(

So miserable. By the afternoon after the last day of Celebration camp, it was clear this wasn't just exhaustion. I dragged them all out of the house in the afternoon so we could stock up on gatorade... not wanting to face out hot stick house again, we drove around town and ended up at the airport, and had a sweet half hour watching planes take off.

3 positive strep tests = everyone's first brush with antibiotics.

I thought we might never leave the house again, but of course they recovered, and by the end of the next week we were at Treasure Island for a great beach day with friends. We even skipped Alden's nap (gasp).

cupcakes for Hannah's 2nd birthday.

beach to farm to farmers' market.

good summer day. 'brothers' sharing fudge.

Great day trip to MA for Shannon's baby shower and swim time with the Weylers. Love watching these 2nd cousins bond! All 3 of our kids loved jumping off the diving board, and it was fun for Alasdair to see how far they've all progressed with their swimming and confidence in the water. Alden has a bit too much confidence - he jumped right into the pool without his floats on - thankfully Papa saw it coming and jumped right in after him.