So Much for the Lazy Days of Summer

So far our summer has been nothing like I thought it would be.  Plans keep changing or getting cancelled all together.  Both mine and Cameron's mother have had trips to the emergency room.  Thankfully, they are both fine now.   Out of the last 17 days, I have been home four.  It most certainly has not been boring around here!

First we went to my parents for me to help a friend get some painting done.  My mom and sister watched the girls while I went to paint.  We came home for three days and then left to go to a week of church camp.  It was a great week, with great weather and lots of fun with cousins, friends and grandparents.  I worked in the kitchen as a cook all week with my sister Valerie and two other ladies.  We had a great time and were totally exhausted by Wednesday!  I don't remember which day it was, but one morning three of us cooks, and Kate too, went back to our cabins after breakfast and took naps! 

Callie and her friend Katie (in the pink jacket) during the memory work "contest"

We got home from camp Saturday morning, we were gone pretty much the whole day on Sunday and then Monday my sister Alyson's baby Finally decided to come into this world.   He's been a bit of a stinker.  First he wanted to come too early, then he decided to come after the due date!  My sister is quite the trooper.  Deklan Ray Sparks arrived around 2:30 PM.  He weighed........9 lbs and 15 oz!!  AND he was 22 inches long.  One of my friends said she gave birth to a toddler!! LOL 

In the midst of all this excitement, a very special purchase and subsequent delivery was made.  The girls have been saving for quite some time for Julie and Ivy.  Now to those of you who do not have little girls, those are American Girl dolls.  Julie and Ivy are dolls that represent the 70's.  Julie has long blonde hair and Ivy is her Chinese friend.  Very appropriate, yes?  I have been very proud of how hard they have both worked to earn these dolls and how patient they have been.  Here they are before taking all of their cash to the bank. 

Do you think they were excited?

We have doll pictures and baby pictures to share, but it will have to wait. :)  I'm going to bed!