Visiting Grandma Gretta's Grave

While we were in Boise we visited Grandma Gretta's grave. The girls picked out new flowers to decorate it. It is crazy to think it has been almost 4 years since she passed away.

Grandpa George Huff the baby holder

 I wished we lived closer to Grandpa Huff. He is a great baby holder! At our house Carli spend quite a bit of time awake on the floor, in her jumper or bumbo, but while we were visiting my parents Grandpa Huff spent quite a bit of time holding her. Here are some pictures to prove it!

With the blanket that he and Grandma Gretta made for Carli back in 2006. 

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One smart baby

Carli is smart enough to move the toys on her jumparoo. She loves to jump up and down too.

I can't believe how fast she is growing up!

Gretta having some summer fun!

Great imaginations

We really wish we had a swimming pool to swim in, but since we don't the girls just made one up in the house. It's a nice leopard print swimming pool. They sure have fun playing together. 

Getting ready to jump in!

Carli had to wear Eliza's sunglasses to get in on the action. 

Watching tv starts early at our house

I left Gretta babysitting Carli for a few minutes while I got dressed in the morning and this is what I found when I came out of my room. 

The girls watching Fresh Beat Band. (See Eliza's drum set all set up?) I keep telling Gretta & Eliza that Carli shouldn't watch TV, but they can't figure out why not. 

Swimmer

Gretta had a great time at swim team this summer. She has shown a lot of promise and really enjoys swimming. To bad it isn't good for her ear to be in the pool all of the time. I think we are going to take the fall-winter season off, and let her swim again next summer. 

Michigan produce

We have sure enjoyed our weekly fresh produce basket. Doesn't it look good???One of my favorite things about living in southwest Michigan is all of the good local produce. 

Beach day with MBA friends

We had so much fun with all of our MBA friends at the beach. They came from all over the State to join us at Silver Beach. I didn't get any pictures at the beach because it was a little bit to crazy!!! Elizabeth is 27 weeks pregnant, and sent her 3 boys with Lori. I also took a friend for the girls to play with thinking Elizabeth's boys weren't coming. So between Lori, Cherity and I we had 13 kids to watch. Including a 3 month old, 5 month old, and 17 month old. Then after Cherity went home Melissa showed up with her three boys too. It was crazy! I am happy to report that all of the kids and moms made it home safe and sound. After the beach everyone came over to our house for dinner. Here are the kids enjoying ice cream sandwiches after dinner. 

I sure loves these ladies and their families. You would think after 4 days of camping with each other over the 4th of July we would have had enough of each other, but we can't seem to get enough. I can't wait for the next time we get together. 

Grand Rapids ENT

I took Carli & Gretta to the ENT in Grand Rapids. Right now Carli's ears look good and hopefully we don't have to do anything until her cleft palate gets fixed. 

Gretta's right ear doesn't have any ear drum and her left ear has a thin tympanic membrane that is retracted. So both have big problems, but neither are really fixable at this time. You know it's complicated when the pediatric ENT leans back in his seat to think about what to do next.  Her right ear is still a little moist, so she has to have ear drops for 7 days. She hates ear drops, but is old enough to understand they are important. It makes me so sad for her to have to deal with such big challenges. Neither problem is going to be fixed anytime soon, so I am sure this challenge will continue for a while. 

Michigan blueberries

I had grand visions of picking 20 lbs of blueberries this summer to freeze, but  I had to buy them at the story instead. They were only  40 cents a pound more, so I figured it wasn't worth the time to pick them since it has been so hot, and the blueberries where we usually pick are very small due to the drought, and Eliza refuses to go blueberry picking.

We are so excited to eat the blueberries all year long!

Another beautiful evening in southwest Michigan

Don't you wish you were here with us! It has been a beautiful summer in Michigan.

Sleeping and Bathing Beauty

Sleeping in her new car seat pillow.

Enjoying bath time! 

Look at me grow

Carli loves getting in her jumparoo. Thanks to Aunt Anna for letting her borrow it! 

Carli is almost outgrowing her baby moses  basket. With both Gretta & Eliza I put them in their crib at 3 months, but for some reason I can't seem to put Carli in her room all by herself. Also since her monitor goes off sometimes in the middle of the night it is easier to check it if she is sleeping right next to me instead of getting up to see what is going on. Pretty soon she is going to have to move out because she is out growing her bed!

ps. I would never let her sleep with all these blankets if she didn't have her monitor. 

Girl Scout Day Camp

Gretta had a great week at Girl Scout Day Camp. Quite a few friends from her troop and her troop leader all went. They spent the week celebrating the Olympics. Because of the no burn ban due to the drought they had to be creative with cooking meals. 

Here is solar smores. 

Showing off her Olympic skills