After the family reunion, I had to take a little summer break from blogging! But here is a recap of some things that happened and things we did.
In July, we experienced the loss of Justin's grandma Mimi. She had been declining over the past several years and had been put on hospice care. She slipped away on July 10th, 2015. Mimi was from the Cape Cod, Massacusetts area, where Justin's dad was born and raised. Here is a picture of Mimi, Justin, Eli, and Dave when we visited her for her 85th birthday celebration in 2009.
Justin was able to travel out for Mimi's graveside service. She was buried in Massachusetts, although she had been living in Florida for the later years of her life. Justin said she had a wonderful graveside service and that lots of relatives were in attendance, including Justin's parents and sisters. I will always remember Mimi's warm smile, outgoing personality, and stories she shared about being an LPN. She is very much loved and missed.
Later in July, the Marables came to visit. They stayed with us for a few days and we had a great time checking out the Denver Children's Museum, the Denver Art Museum, splashing around at the Bay, making s'mores in the backyard. and eating delicious Indian food (twice!).
Eli and Benjy took swim lessons for five weeks during July and the beginning of August. I promised Eli last summer when he had a scary episode at Water World (he had to be rescued by a lifeguard) that we would do swim lessons this summer. Eli did fantastic and learned how to tread water as well as starting to learn freestyle. Benjy did awesome too and got way more comfortable in the water.
I bought them some goggles at the start of swim lessons, which they were totally psyched about. I had to include these shots of their be-goggled poses. Eli is going to bring back the noseplug. You heard it here first.
The kids completed two libraries' summer reading programs and one of their prizes was free Lakeside passes. We took the kids one evening when some friends were also going, and Benjy (who had been fine all day) spiked a temp on the way down and spent the whole hour of his time there feeling miserable. Justin had to take him and Emmie home while I stayed with Eli and rode the rides. Emmie was having a great time and was sad to leave. Hopefully we'll have better timing next year.
Selfie of Eli and me on the bumper cars.
Some yogurt-beard pics of Emmie.
I got to visit with my old friend Liz who moved down to Parker a couple years ago. The last time I'd seen her was at my baby shower (before Emmie was born). We met each other in sixth grade when I was living at my grandparents' house, and became closer friends when I moved to Northglenn my junior year of high school. I don't have many friends I keep in touch with from that time in my life, and it was great to reminisce and renew our friendship. I didn't think to get pictures until we were almost ready to leave, and by that time the kids weren't about to sit still.
I made a cake for the July birthday party at the children's home.
Some random pictures just for fun. Benjy trying on Emmie's pajamas.
A super adorable ladybug house Benjy made at the park one day, and another block masterpiece.
Museum fun. Can you tell which face is Benjy? (Trick question... they both are.)
Eli's super awesome tower. The picture does not do justice to how tall it was.
Foam sculptures by Benjy.
Caught this precious moment while Eli was reading to Benjy and Emmie.
Baseball game fun.
