Everyone has returned home safely and we are getting back into our routine. It was so nice to have my 4 brothers and their families here. It has taken us a while to get back in the swing of things. We have been super busy with school and end of year parties, but I'm finally posting some of the pictures from the big family gathering.
Kenneth and Heidi celebrated their anniversary while they were here. We kept the kids overnight. Here was our picnic lunch. They loved playing together. They are such a joy.
Graduation Sunday came quickly. We all were able to attend. It was neat to be on Cornell's campus as I had never been there. We all thought that Kenneth looked great in his robes.
Dad mentioned that he was in the 99th class that Cornell graduated. The old stately buildings are breathtaking.
After the graduation festivities we had a picnic / bbq at our house. Aunt Pat and Phillip Baldauf's family were able to join us.
Here are the kiddo's on Grandpa's lap.
Kickball was the activity of choice for the grownup boys. (It really was hilarious.) The trampoline was ever popular with the kids. Dennis was hating the heat and humidity and spent some time in the basement on the cool concrete. Actually all the boys were in the basement playing air-hockey.
As the afternoon wore on we decided to put on a movie for the kids. I was amazed that the boys took over the family room. The poor kids were relegated to the floor and ottoman and if they were lucky they got a lap.
Since everyone left we have been trying to arrange a way to go to the Ward reunion in Idaho. Flight prices are outrageous! We told Ashley and Kaylynn that we would bring them back to NY with us for a few weeks. That was okay with their parents if they were accompanied on the plane. Coordinating that with the airlines has proven to be practically impossible.
These last few pictures are for the benefit of Heidi. Thanks for the pizza stone. As you can tell I wasted no time in using it. I think I like the round better than the rectangle on that I had and broke. Thank you!
My good friend Stacey had a birthday last week. I made the cake - actually cup cakes. It looked lovely.
I added this vinyl lettering to our kitchen recently..... when Joseph came home he said "Is that a promise?" I think he has been real meal deprived lately.
These last pictures are of my garden. It looks lovely this year. It's probably the best garden we've had. Wahoo!
The strawberries this year have been super sweet. Benjamin asks every morning if he can go pick strawberries. In years past I've had more plants and more strawberries, but I think this year they taste the best. I even have blueberries on their bushes. Yipee
Ben is obsessed with goggles. He's tried out every kind. Here he was in Idaho at my in-law's cabin sporting the full figured kind.
In July we went to Idaho and attended the Ward reunion. We had lots of fun doing our favorite things in Idaho. We went to starlight mountain theater, spent time at the cabin playing in the water and on the paddle boat, and took in a rodeo. After the rodeo Benjamin wouldn't let go of the cowboy hat. I finally had to dispose of it in Salt Lake City at the airport as it was falling apart.
Pictured here with favorite Uncle Tim.
After a long plane ride, in Rochester Benjamin decided to drive.
This was a cool exhibit. I'm glad the camera actually got the photo of the bubble. The kids loved it.
Benjamin has no fear.
