Family Events April Through July 2010

We had several important and fun activities this spring and summer.
First we had Shania and Sarah's Sealing to their parents.  Unfortunately Sarah got sick the night before so only Shania was sealed.  Quincy and Natalie, Melinda and Matt, Me, Cousin Catherine and her husband Mike all came for the event from our side of the family.  I came up to the temple with Carl's family and grandpa stayed home with Sarah.  It was great to be part of this important event for Shania.  Hopefully it won't be too long before we can do the same for  Sarah.

 Here we are on the train we took to the subway.

Next, the end of May we celebrated Elijah and Jonas's birthdays.  Jason and Holly had gone all out and rented a room at the Vienna community center, and set it up with all kinds of inflatable bouncing toys and obstical courses.  Holly had made capes for all the children and there were at least 30 children.
They had all these games planned for them and then cake an water for the refreshments.  Elijah and Jonas got enough presents to make it look like Christmas.  It was really a fun party and both Holly and Jason had done a wonderful job.

Here you can see some of Holly's handy work. 

One of the blow up toys acting as an obstacle course.

Jason rescuing Eden.

All good things must come to an end, so tired parents can go home and collapse after all the exertion.  Here Quincy is giving a helping hand to speed up the process.  I am sure the cape around his heck gave him extra powers.

Then I went up to New Jersey to hear Spencer's  and Theresa's end of school concerts.  They always put on a great program and this year was no exception.  They each had their separate concerts.  It is difficult to take pictures in the dark and with that many people so you will have to excuse that the picture isn't  very good.

Spencer's head is to the left of the C.  They used the same set for both concerts.  Both Spencer and Theresa did very well in their performances.  I am already looking forward to next year.

At home Sarah and Shania also wanted to show of what they had learned in their gymnastics class.  They put on a very nice performance.

Then it was Tatum's birthday her very first.  Natalie's friend had made a beautiful birthday cake that matched Tatum's dress.

Here you have the birthday girl with her parents and her cake.

Her very own cake before she demolished it.  Also Natalie's parent's were there so it was a special birthday.

I had been promising Doug since Christmas that he could come down to stay with me for a few days when he was completely toilet trained.  He became toilet trained and we finally found a time when he could visit.  We had a very nice time together.  He really liked being the center of attention.  and he was very good and fun to have.  On Monday we went in to the The Natural History Museum in DC.  We went by bus and train, which in it self was a treat for him.  We went to see the dinosaurs which he liked, but I think he enjoyed the rock collection even better.  It is amazing how beautiful inanimate objects can be.  We also saw the butterfly exhibit which he enjoyed.   We went to the gift shop to get a souvenir for him, but it was interesting that the first one he wanted to buy for was his Mother then me and then himself.  We did find a nice lunch box for him which he wanted because he could use it when he started school this fall .

Here he is on the train.  He picked out his outfit.

He was more interested in a picture of his "bum" than one of the dinosaurs, so here it is. Enjoy.

He loved this geode of amethysts.   He was allowed to sit on it which he did.

This one was my favorite.

 

Here are the some of the butterflies.
On Tuesday we went to the farm with his cousins and saw all the baby animals.

Petting the goats.

How do you like polka dotted piglets?

We were lucky to see the peacock spread his feathers.  And of course a tractor ride is a must before we go.  We actually walked through the woods in both directions at Doug's request.

The most popular exhibit.  Then the next day it was back to Delaware.  Thanks for coming Doug.  It was fun having you.

It was Eden's 2nd birthday on July 24th and I did manage to get a couple of dresses made for her.  Unfortunately when Melinda's 3 oldest came to stay with me at the beginning of July and we went to the pool, There was leaking bottle of water in my bag and my camera got wet and it doesn't work.  therefore I can not illustrate my blogs till I can afford to buy a new camera.
Melinda and Matt finally went on a trip to celebrate their 10th anniversary.  Charles, Emma, and Mary stayed with me for a few days.  We had a good time.  We went to the American history museum, went swimming every day.  Made clothes for dolls, played with legos and watched videos.  It was great having them.  Then Friday they went to their other grandmother, and Sunday night their grandfather brought all 5 back to me, till Melinda came around noon on Monday and stayed till  Thursday.  She helped me paint the downstairs bedroom and with out me knowing it They took all the legos home and finished the sorting job, Trevor started and brought them back Sunday all organized and all bins labeled.
Right now I am in the process of redecorating the downstairs.  It is going a little slow, but it is coming as I have the money.  Trevor has been a great help with the project.