Groves Family Blog: July!

July should have had about a dozen posts, but I'm recording it all here in one big whirlwind, because that's how we lived it! Summer is short here, and with July being both my busiest month for work and the month I help run VBS, I alternate a little crazily between desperately trying to keep up and living summer to the fullest.

July started with getting the girls hair cut short (SO much easier to manage!) and a spontaneous escape to the lake with friends, which led into 4th of July weekend with family, which led into VBS prep week (during which Emily lost her 1st tooth! and we went to a Muskrats game with friends and Daddy took a few mornings off work to be with the kids so Mommy could work, and we did a trip to Lake Fairlee and Mommy & Emily spent a day in MA for Dianna's shower and a girls cousins day at Mimi & Papa's pool, and a Sunday afternoon at the Eastman beach with friends), which led into VBS week (and swimming in the river and running in the hose with friends). The next week, the kids and I did a day trip to MA to visit dear college friends, and then Auntie Eowyn came to visit for 5 days!! The last few days I've been catching up on work (I've been waking up early to work so that I can focus on the kids more during the day) and we've had a few more water adventures with friends. Throughout the month we've continued to enjoy our visits to the farm (especially picking raspberries and blueberries), spent lots of afternoons at the pool, and eaten most of our dinners on the deck.

It's been a too-busy but overall good month. We've been enjoying catching our breath the last few days!

Week One -

Silly girl begging for a playdate with Mallory ("take a picture of me and send it to Mrs. Eshbaugh!"), and last pictures of her long hair.

Summer haircuts

Westport with friends and cousins. A few memorable moments... Megan & I and the kids walking all over the north shore in the pouring rain; Emily & Rosalie playing with baby wipes and lamps and almost burning the house down; Daniel & Adara playing wedding (video).

first time walking with help

first Ernie's muffin

watching fireworks from the lower deck

helping Mimi make dessert

Evianna turns 2!

Week Two -

McDonald's ice cream date with Daddy while Mommy is working.

First lost tooth!

Alasdair is reading through the Bible with the girls during dessert.

Alden has discovered a deep love of hummus. That's a granola bar he's dipping.

Muskrats game!

Adara sat and chatted with this random woman for most of the game. And Alden loved hanging on the fence.

Treasure Island. Emily spent the whole afternoon digging in the sand.

A beautiful shower for Dianna & baby Jolene, and girls day at Mimi's pool.

Sunday afternoon and cookout at Eastman beach.

Week Three -

Swimming in the Connecticut with Jess & Kaellyn

Emily figured out how to rig the hose up in the playhouse so it's like a sprinkler. Lots of happy wet kids.

Summer Celebration Camp! (formerly known as VBS;) Every morning when we got there to set up, Lucy would take Alden for me. Here he is with his fan club.

By Friday Adara was exhausted and had zero interest in reciting the memory verse with her class.

Alden hanging out with the big boys.

First day of blueberry picking at Sunrise Farm. Alden slept in the car while the girls and I had a lovely hour.

I don't have any photos, but Alden took his first steps on the beach at the CRC Storrs Pond picnic! He took 5 steps from me to Alasdair, and then 5 steps back to me. Since then he hasn't done it much, but today he's started up again with a few steps on his own here and there.

Week Four -

The kids and I went to Mass for a day to see Jackie & Annabel and their kids (using my parents' house as a lovely meeting spot). We had car trouble that morning and were afraid we wouldn't make it, but an hour at Honda and we were on our way. The only picture I have from the whole day is from that waiting room! ;) It was so special to meet sweet Adia Barger at long last!!

More pool time...

On Thursday we went on a mystery ride to pick up Auntie Eowyn at the airport! It was so so lovely to have her do life with us for a few days. Straight from the airport to the farm...