July

July, oh you. With your amber waves of grain. 

Pregnancy #5. Third Trimester. No joke. These feet were fatting out of a size-larger-than-normal pair of sandals:

Plus some other symptoms we're not going into. But! Those feet weren't quite so bad if Sarah walked about 2 miles each morning. It was a great way to start each day, walking, praying, and taking in the sunrise and the wildlife.

Speaking of wildlife, we found this very large egg in our yard. Maybe a goose? Maybe a critter was trying to steal a goose egg but lost it in our yard? Maybe geese just lay eggs flying by?

 New wildflowers continued to bloom in the woods.

Pale Jewelweed

And not exactly wildlife, but nature-y. The hens and chicks bloomed! Our first time with this phenomena.

And while we're talking about flowers, there's an ice cream shop in Auburn with not only the yummiest hand dipped ice cream, but also the most beautiful flower garden.

The kids got a combine ride with Uncle John. They took turns either sitting in the cab of the combine or sharing a picnic with Mommy under a few apple trees at a nearby farm house. Yes, when people say, "I miss those days with my kids" we already know exactly what they mean. We will forever want to re-live these beautiful summer days with these lovely little children.

And the 4th of July. Simon's still not sure he entirely LIKES fireworks. The best we can say is that he's interested in them. From a great distance.

We did our best to brainwash the Canadian cousins.

Our family doctor was very nice and let Miriam continue to wear her wrist brace until after the big family reunion so that she could swim. And Felicity bravely jumped off the high dive OVER and OVER.

Miriam's break wasn't too bad so she got a cast for just a couple of weeks. We needed to keep it as short as possible because family vacation was at the end of the month!

We filled her days with 4-H projects and judging - her Foods (peanut butter cookies) and Beekeeping projects made it to the state fair! The cake decorating judge was impressed that she was able to pull off the project with a broken arm. A big thanks to Aunt Maria who helped coach her through that one!

And naturally, we got some trips in to the zoo.

Finally, finally after a whole year of waiting, Family Vacation with Sarah's whole family was here! We went to Michigan City this year and stayed within a block of the beach. The house had an outdoor hosing off/shower area. The kids had a blast getting de-sanded after the trips to the beach.

 Within a day or so of arriving, Tim was allowed to cut off Miriam's cast. She was thrilled.

 He found a pipe cutter in the basement and carefully got to work.

 Time for a swim!

Our cousin Elijah had never been to the beach before and it took a bit to get used to the waves. He loved it...until it splashed him in the face. Then Grandma and Aunt Maria had to perform the Drying Ritual.

Thankfully, he was never too frightened by the constantly moving water and always ran back for more.

A day or two of vacation had storms and wind and waves that meant no swimming, but it didn't keep us from at least dipping our toes in.

When we weren't at the beach, there was cousin-time, park-time, game-time, lighthouse-time, Birthday-time, blindfolded-beer-tasting-time, shopping-time, concert-time and zoo-time.

Are we sick of each other by the end of this big messy extended family vacation each summer? No. No, we get almost sick for each other. Within a day of so getting home and unpacking, Sarah's siblings are making plans to get together again.

And that's the kind of love we hope and pray for our children. People who just love you, despite really knowing you. Who just can't help but love you. And your spouse. And your kids. Often it seems like this world has forgotten what family is, what home is for, why parents work so hard for good marriages and children. Both Tim and Sarah have parents who lived out an example of married love and gave us siblings to cherish. And we're grateful to be able to give Miriam, Vivian, Felicity, Simon, and Baby #5 that same gift.