A Busy July!

 Westin and his mommy came over for a morning visit.

 

 Let's take just one picture by these blooming lilies....or maybe not!  Westin had places to go and people to see!

 

 Stephen, Freya and family came for summer vacation and, boy, do we get the award for packing a lot into one vacation.  During the week Steve worked on a van for their family.  We played a lot of ball and the kids took turns batting.  Henry and Max waiting their turn.

 

 Go, Kayla.  Keep your eye on the ball!

 

 Joshua doing some fielding.

 

 Is this what you call "kissin' cousins?"

 

 Stephen lining up the kids at CiCi's Pizza for Sunday lunch.

 

 The last two summers it has been so hot that we wouldn't think of eating outside.  This week, though, the weather was wonderful, so at the last minute we had a picnic on the patio.

 

 Brian and Westin sharing some food.

 

Richard and Bryan finishing up the meal.

 

 Time for more ball and more play.  Lots of kids!

 

 Go, Henry!

 

 That weekend Joshua's baseball was finishing the final baseball tournament.  His team was undefeated, and they won first place in the tournament.  It was a fun season.

 

 Joshua chose "99" for his number!

 

 All the boys have their own bat bag.  Big time stuff!

 

 We spent one afternoon at the Discovery Center.  Lena and Emmy enjoyed painting on these glass walls.  I wonder if any children go home and color on the walls after this fun experience??

 

 Max and Henry first went to the grain/auger display.

 

 We chose July 4 to do a Chuck E Cheese outing and we literally had the whole place to ourselves!  Everyone else was getting ready for the evening fireworks.  Chucky gave his performance for just our grandkids!

 

 We "say" we go there for the children.....but it looks like it's the big kids are playing the games to me!

 

 I finished these matching dresses for Emmy and Lena after they got here.  I have fun making the little girls' dresses.

 

 We have been talking for quite awhile that we needed to clean out Ryan's old "tree-house," and this seemed to be the time to get it done.  Steve helped me clear out junk and old carpeting, and thoroughly sweep it out.  Surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as you might think it would be for not being used for many years.

 

 With new carpeting, running an extension cord out there to have a fan, it was just pretty special.

 

 On Saturday night we all went to Brian and Carly's for a cookout, kickball, hayride, and watching the Holton fireworks from the back of their property.  What a fun evening!

 

 Bryan and Jordy playing "peek-a-boo!"

 

 Brian getting sister help spraying bugspray!

 

 Better get the legs protected, too.

 

 Tyler was really concentrating on kicking that ball.  Don't know about kicking that ball with flip-flops, though.

 

 Lisa was the designated helper.  Thanks, Jonny, for organizing the kick-ball event!

 

Jonny and Jordy running the bases!

 

 Freya on second and Rebecca on third.

 

 First group leaving for the hayride.  Brian made a neat trail in the pasture and he pulled the trailer with the 4-wheeler.  Thanks, Brian, for making that happen.  It was fun!

 

 Getting ready for Ride #2!

 

 This is a nasty picture of the "A coil" of our air conditioner.  We began to notice water on the floor right before Steve's family came and waited until the day after they left to have it replaced.  The corrosion was terrible and it was almost like softener salt in the middle.  Definitely needed attention and we didn't have be without A/C.

 

 Now, THIS, is a car!  Had to pick up this car to take to the auction and it completely filled the rollback!

 

 During July we had our annual garage sale.  I had decided that I could finally part with the Samsonite suitcase that Marilyn had given me years ago when we had lots of children at home and needed lots of suitcases when we would go on vacation.  When Lisa saw it, she said, "Mom....you aren't selling that suitcase, are you??  There are soooo many ideas on Pinterest using these suitcases."  So Marilyn's suitcase with the initials MES is now with Lisa.

 

 And speaking of  re-using.....this is Lisa's mantle display this summer.  Look closely at the blue flower in the center.

 

 This was a piece of  Mother's jewelry when it was so popular.  It's fun seeing things with new life!

 

 I love the garden produce.  It's easy to fix meals these days.  I don't want to speak too loudly, but I haven't had any trouble with raccoons invading my space this year.  I faithfully turn on my "coon" music each night at 9:00.

 

1. I'm finally getting some green beans.  I canned 16 quarts from this picking. 

 Carly and Westin one day before the "birth day!"  I don't know how she was able to hold Westin with Camden right out in front!

 

 Yes, folks, I think it's time!

 

 Camden Wallace Varner.  Born July 18, 2013; weighing 8 lbs, 14 ozs.  Thank you, God, for a healthy baby!

 

 Brian....just a little bit proud of his two boys!

 

 Camden - one week old.

 

 "This little piggie went to market......"

 

 Richard and I went to his mother's family reunion.  Here is Aunt Mary and his mother.

 

 Richard's cousin, Debra and her daughter, Beth.  Congratulations, Beth in passing your state board's for occupational therapy assistant.

 

 Looking at pictures on the computer.

 

 And finally the Jackson County Fair Parade.  Yes, we did have an entry thanks to Brian and Westin.  We focused on our "Heavy Duty Dodge Trucks."

 

 Brian put a cab to advertise the parts business.  And folks, there you have it!  It was a full July!