Welcome to the world Melanie!

We just found out yesterday that we are grandparents again. Joe's oldest daughter already has a son, Ryan, and now has a daughter, Melanie. She was just under 6 lbs at birth. Isn't she cute?

First Bath

Granddaughter Melanie after her first bath.

Big brother Ryan

This is our grandson Ryan. Isn't he cute!

Hello Ryan!

Grandson Ryan on the phone at his house. I can't believe that he will be 5 in the fall.

Having Fun in the Front Yard

Mallory and I played volleyball in the front yard while the other kids ran around us.

Natalie by Bailey

Bailey took this picture of Natalie. She is starting to look like a preschooler and not a toddler any more.

Bailey Up Close and Personal

Bailey took this picture of herself. Bailey took a lot of cool pictures just before she dropped my camera and jammed the lens. Good thing I always get the extended warraty on all digital cameras I buy.

Rachel by Rachel

Rachel took this picture of herself.

Me in the Pool

The pool water is almost 80 and without any AC in the house I decided to cool off by going swimming with the kids.

Andrea, Mike and Ella

Joe's daughter Andrea, her husband Mike and their daughter Ella on a cruise to Bermuda.

Our Granddaughter, Ella

This is a cute picture of our granddaughter Ella. She is a year and five days younger than Natalie. She will be 2 in August.

All Dressed Up

Ella was all dressed up for an evening on the town?

Bailey and Natalie asleep on the floor of their room. Natalie kicked Joseph out of his bed. I found her half covered up with his blanket. 

Rare Smile Moment

Rachel and Taylor in a rare moment when they are not fighting with each other.

Hot and Cold

I bought this air conditioner/heater combo unit for the room over the garage at the end of last year. I did not know that it needed a special plug and a 220 circuit. Tonight a friend of mine finally finished putting in the extra circuit and plug so that we could use it. The timing could not have been better as our heat pump/air conditioner for the house decided to die some time while I was at work. We are in line to have a new unit installed starting early Monday morning. A good natured neighbor has loaned us a small AC unit for the master bedroom. Joseph has decided to join the girls in the room over the garage instead of sleep in his hot room. It's been in the low 90's here all week. Luckily it's supposed to be a little cooler over the weekend.

Loom made slipper sock

I just finished knitting this slipper sock on a small circular loom. Rachel wants me to hurry and finish the other one so she can slide across the kitchen floor. Too bad the finished socks will have non slip soles.

Close-up

Close-up detail of slipper sock.

Mallory or Rachel?

Rachel looks very much like Mallory in this picture. I think it's her expression. Mallory makes lots of different faces all the time.

Look who wanted ice cream

Do you think that she's figured out where we keep the ice cream?

Crawl Space?

Natalie crawled under Joe's computer desk.

Waiting

Waiting to cross the stage at the end of 5th grade.

The End of 5th Grade

Taylor finished up elementary school this year and is moving on to middle school in the fall. WTG Taylor!!!

Goodbye Ms Cindy!

I got a final picture of Natalie and her preschool teacher. Her teacher is moving to another school to be closer to her own children. I guess we'll have to just wait and see what new advantures the next school year brings us. Natalie has grown so much this school year, we can only hope that next year will be as productive. We will all miss Ms. Cindy!!!

Isn't this June?

Looking at Bailey, you would think it was a little chilly here yesterday. This is June, it's not supposed to be cold and rainy. LOL

Walking onto the Bus

Natalie started walking up the bus steps on Thursday of last week. It was pouring rain on Friday and Monday when it was time to get on the bus, so it took until today for me to get a picture. This is a huge milestone to me as she was barely walking when she started school back in Sept. After she climbed the steps of the bus, she climbed into her seat and let the assistant buckle her up. My baby is growing up too fast!

Rachel at Hershey Park

Rachel went camping at Hershey Park this weekend with her Girl Scout troop. As you can see, it looks like they all had a lot of fun.