Gone.

On June 13, my Dad arrived in Williamstown via Hershey, Pennsylvania. He brought with him a box of Reese cups. 24 packages, 4 cups in each package. Dad might have eaten one or two Reese cups. We shared exactly 10 (cups, not packages) with friends. If you do the math, our family ate 84 Reese cups. And we did it in 11 days. They are gone. G-O-N-E.

Beginning of the summer

For the sixth consecutive year, we kicked off the summer with a bonfire. It started in 2004 before our family left Williamstown for the summer to staff a Navigator Summer Training Program in Burlington, VT. Then, there were 3 families with 5 kids between us. Now, there are 4 families with 12 kids between us. Certain traditions have developed - the tractor ride to Old Mill Road to collect sticks for roasting marshmallows, the scavenger hunt to find the Smore supplies, the dance around the fire singing "Campfire will burn tonight..." and Pete Daniels lighting the fire with a flaming roll of toilet paper. Like Halloween and birthdays, this event is a highlight of our year. We call it "THE Bonfire".


Last summer, Julie, Lori and I were all pregnant. This picture shows the results of those pregnancies! Lauren, Nathan and Ben.


Count 'em. There's 12.


Annie digs in


Brandi, Zac, Jakin and Corban are 4 of the 5 original kids


Back from Old Mill Road with the sticks

Guess which daughter...

Of the following 4 pictures, two are of Annie and two are of Lauren. I'm hoping for lots of guesses in the comment section from anyone who might be following this blog.

#1


#2


#3


#4


Good luck!

P.S. Jack guessed correctly.

Four kids in the summer

It was a beautiful day to be outside today. Jack was working in the office for a while, so the three older kids and I took a bike ride during Lauren's nap. I mowed the lawn. Jack got to use his chainsaw. Corban lost his second tooth. It was a good day.

Lauren at 4 months

Lauren is getting to such a fun stage. She laughs and talks all the time. Her ability to hold toys helps her to be happier for longer periods of time. And she has slept through the night 2 out of the last 3 nights. It's a good time.



I have trouble getting pictures of Lauren's sweet smile. This isn't a great one, but it's something.



I take a picture of Lauren every month on the quilt Aunt Lisa made for her and with the stuffed dog Grandma got for her. In these early months, it's hard to keep her sitting up so she keeps toppling over. And every month, it's still cute and funny to me, so I take a picture - OK, multiple pictures - of the capsized Lauren.