Flower girls

While Delaney was napping this afternoon, we 3 girls ventured out to the garden to check the fennel for caterpillars. I decided to take my camera along in case we spotted any creepy crawlers that were worthy of photographing. We didn't find any (bummer!), but we did admire the flowers. We said hello to the baby birds in the birdhouse. And, some of us even enjoyed munching on the grass... I should mention that I just found this same flower attached to our fridge with a magnet!

Sunday morning treats

I don't really let Delaney eat pop tarts for breakfast every day...

...okay, maybe I do.

And this is my payment. I'll take it!

Mastering the froggy slide... sort of.

Okay, call me a bad mom. But I literally crack up every time I look at these pictures of Delaney. She has a love/hate relationship with the froggy slide at the pool, in that she talks about it all the time, but she gets a look of sheer terror on her face when she actually slides down it.

Mustering up the courage...

See what I mean?

I am not kidding, every time she goes on this thing she has this look on her face. And this past weekend we were at the pool three days in a row, for a total of 107 times down the slide. And no, I am not exaggerating (for those of you who know my penchant for doing that), it really was 107 times.

Emma & Anthony

Pool pals (click on photo... and check out E's new bling!)

Grandpa visits the pool

We hit the pool today with Grandpa. He spent some QT with all three girls; especially Hannah. Bryan left first to take Delaney home for a nap, I left a short time later with Emma, and Hannah and Grandpa didn't arrive home until dinnertime! What a fun day!

Party on the yacht!

It was such a gorgeous day yesterday that the girls and I drove up to Lake Nockamixon to check out the sights. My parents were sailing back into their dock when we arrived, and Gram insisted that we come aboard to celebrate Emma's first time on Kindred Spirit. haha! We didn't even sail! But the girls had fun playing in the cabin and I was able to catch a few rays and enjoy a cold drink. I'll take any relaxation I can get! Thanks, Gram and Pop!

Beautiful girl

Devon and Aunt Debbie

These two gals are some of our favorites. We love you, Devon and Aunt Debbie!

A visit with Grandma Rita

When Bryan and I started dating, we had seven grandparents between us. Here it is, eighteen years later, and only his Grandma Rita is still with us. While we were in Erie, we stopped in to visit her and to introduce her to her newest great-granddaughter, Emma.

Four generations of Bensons

Hannah looked lovely in her patriotic dress Grandma really only had eyes for Emma! And Emma ate it up!

Chalkboard giggles

Babs found some old chalkboards in her classroom and brought three of them home for the girls. Delaney spent some serious time practicing her squiggles and saying, "I drew an 'e'!" four hundred times. Papa found a way to really connect with her, and they had quite a crazy time together on the kitchen floor.

Papa would draw something...

and then Delaney would quickly grab the eraser and erase it. Note her hysteria below!
"This is fun, Papa!"

Our brave girl

We still cannot believe that our timid Delaney LOVED the diving board at Nana and Papa's pool. The evidence is pictured below. I even shot a video which you can view in the post below! Wonders will never cease.

Taking the plunge!

High five!Congratulatory kisses from Daddy, and cheers from HannahHooray!

See it with your own eyes!

and yes, that is Delaney exclaiming, "I want to do it again!"

4th of July Part II

After the parade in Mayville, NY (see post below), we loaded up and headed to the second half of our vacation--to visit the Benson family in Erie, PA. Although their pool had been flooded with mud just days earlier, Nana and Papa managed to empty it, refill it, and have it all clean (and cold!) and ready for their annual party. Here are some pictures of the Bensons. (If you're wondering where Babs is, she was in the kitchen, where she lives during parties. Maybe one of these years she will make an appearance outside!)

Bryan's sisters, Alissa and Nicole.

Love.Smile, Emma!Bryan and his Dad, Steve (aka Papa). So cute.

Independence Day parade

This year's parade did not disappoint. Hannah, Delaney, and their cousin Ian enjoyed gathering candy and marveling at the sights: loud fire trucks, horses, cheerleaders, marching bands, and various floats with country-crooning singers and dancers. We weren't sure how Delaney would react to the chaos of it all, but she loved every bit of it. And wherever there are other children, she is a happy kid.Emma made it through the first half-hour before falling asleep. Here she is with her gorgeous Aunt Meghan. I laugh every time I see this picture. Poor Emma was snoozing in the stroller... right next to Bryan. But she somehow got cut out. Ha!Here she is. We love you, Emma Hope!