July 5 - Play at Home Activities

Today, we stayed at home and had fun around the house with inspiration from one of my favorite blogs Play at Home Mom. We started the day with some ice cubes and hammers.

Then we did some salad spinner art with paper plates and paint. They turned out so pretty.

On this day in 2005, newborn Baby Lila and I went outside for some fresh air.

On this day in 2008, once again we were at The Fiddler 5K. My mom ran this year and placed in her age division. Lila wore her fancy shoes to greet her Goggy at the finish line.

On this day in 2009, Nellie helped my mom sew her mother-of-the-bride dress for Miriam's wedding.

July 4 - Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July! We celebrated with a cookout with our friends the Richter and Melendez families.

Once the sun went down and it was time for fireworks, it started raining. That didn't seem to dampen the fun though. The dads were troopers and put on a great show in the rain.

On this day in 2008, my mom had some of her local friends over for a 3rd birthday celebration for Lila.

On this day in 2009, we were at The Fiddler 5K again and Chris was the overall winner again! It gets boring having so many champions in the family. Here's Miriam admiring his medal.

Lila and Nellie in 2009.

On this day in 2010, we celebrated at the Richters' house in better firework weather. Note, however, that Tanner is wearing a snowflake shirt.

July 3 - More Birthday Partying

This morning, my brother John showed everyone their ultrasound video of Baby Claire. She sure was cute swimming around in there. The girls are so excited to meet their new cousin in a few months!

All the grandkids wearing the Fourth of July shirts my mom bought for them.

We celebrated Baby Ewan's first birthday this afternoon. He enjoys clapping for himself.

We gave Ewan a personalized book about a pirate for his birthday gift. I love to give these books for first birthdays.

The kids and dads enjoyed playing with all of Ewan's new goodies.

On this day in 2005, I took my favorite photo ever of newborn Baby Lila. Isn't she the sweetest thing in the world?

On this day in 2010, Miriam took two day old Baby Ewan to The Fiddler 5K to watch his daddy run. I wish I looked this good 2 days after I give birth.

Chris was (once again) the overall first place winner. He took Baby Ewan to the podium for his medals and press interviews.

July 2 - Get moving!

We got up crazy early this morning to see my sister Miriam run The Fiddler 5K. Ok, in all honesty, we only got up sort of early and just got there for the awards. Mir did great though! Second in her age group! Ewan was so proud of his mommy.

I bumped in to some old friends from high school at the race. Here are Lucy and me with my friends Candy and Leah. It was such a treat to get to see these ladies!

Back at my mom's house, Lucy decided she'd like to try out the doorway jumper for the first time. Ewan wasn't sure he was quite ready to pass it down.

Later this afternoon, we went swimming at our friends the Darrahs' pool where Ewan and Lucy had some quality cousin time.

On this day in 2009, two-year-old Nellie dressed herself in 2 wrong-side-out dresses and a swimsuit.

On this day in 2010, Goggy read a story to Nellie and 2-day-old Baby Ewan.

July 1 - Travel Day

Lucy's mobility is increasing daily. This afternoon I put her on the playmat in the foreground of this shot and came back a minute later to find she had traveled all the way to the next room! Time to pack up the choking hazards. Right. Like that will happen.

After rush hour, we packed up for our trip to Tennessee for the annual Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree. Here's Lucy all pajama-ed up and ready for the ride.

On this day in 2006, we celebrated Lila's 1st birthday at my mom's house in Tennessee. This photo was taken seconds before Lila grabbed the candle.

On this day in 2007, we celebrated Lila's 2nd birthday with Rick's family. Here Lila's cousins are helping her open a gift.

On this day in 2009, Nellie gave her baby a bath in the toilet.

On this day in 2010, the girls got to meet their brand new cousin Ewan.

June 30 - Perspective

I put up the baby swing today, and Lucy loved it! I played around with different perspectives while she giggled and enjoyed swinging.



This day in 2010 was a super special day. My nephew Ewan was born! I had the privilege of being at his birth. Here's a shot of Miriam laboring shortly before he was born.

Proud Aunt Molly!

June 29 - The Counter

Lila and Nellie went back to Tennessee with my mom after the swim meet last night so that hopefully, I can get some studying done for the IBCLC exam next month. Rick and Lucy and I went to The Counter for dinner tonight. We've heard so many good things about this west coast burger joint that we thought we'd try it out while our non-burger eaters were out of town. The menu choices were intimidating, but I put together a delicious turkey burger with cranberries, brie, onion strings, and garlic aioli. Delish! Here are Rick and Lucy at our table.

On this day in 2005, my dad checked out baby Lila's tiny feet.

Miriam also checked out her tiny, new niece.

On this day in 2008, we celebrated Lila's 3rd birthday with the Parker family. Here's a shot of Lila and Jordan reading a book they got for her. It reminds of this photo from our Parker family party from this year.

June 28 - The Last Swim Meet

I'd like to say the end of swim season is bittersweet, but I can't. We're all done and ready for some unstructured summer fun. Tonight was Lila's last meet, and Miriam and Ewan came to watch her swim. Here we are waiting for the meet to start. I'm sporting a new ring sling made out of a super lightweight open-weave linen. Courtesy of my mom, of course.

The swimmer with Aunt Mimi, Ewan, Goggy and a ticked off Nellie.

I always try to get a shot of all the grandkids together. It never goes well.

Goggy and Lucy.

Touching the wall for the last time after swimming a great race.

This day in history is a busy day in my photo archives. I have lots of post-birthday photos. On this day in 2005, Rick's dad met Lila for the first time.

On this day in 2007, Lila had her first lollipop, but didn't know what it was or how to eat it.

On this day in 2008, Lila sported all of her new Fancy Nancy dress up clothes.

On this day in 2009, Nellie sported Lila's new birthday galoshes.