Yes, it’s another birthday.  Chris’ birthday is today, just two days after Michaela’s.  In July we eat lots of cake. 

The kids were up early to give Daddy treats and to enjoy donuts (his chosen breakfast) with him before he headed off to work.  We have company coming in tonight and will enjoy dinner together along with our chocolate cake.

I know I just bragged on my last post about Michaela, but today is Chris’ turn.  Our family is blessed beyond measure to have Chris as our spiritual family leader.  He is hardworking, not just at his job away from home, but here at home as well.  He takes the kids individually on regular “Daddy Dates” (weekly dates for Mama, too!), plays games with them, fixes countless broken toys, helps the kids with projects (mainly the boys’ inventions), and loves and pampers his wife.  We take Chris way too much for granted and are glad that we can stop today and celebrate him as our super Dad and Husband.  We love you!

(This was supposed to be posted yesterday, but I can’t get pictures to upload.  Wanted to make sure my birthday post gets out for Chris anyway, though.)

Just some pictures for fun and so that I don’t get behind in blogging again…..

We’ve been having a great month with GG Clark here.  We enjoyed a special evening with them on Thursday night by taking everyone out to see a great production of Fiddler on the Roof.  When I was in Jr. High I played the youngest daughter in a local college production.  Fiddler has always been a favorite of my family and it was neat to pass on that love to my own kids.  Now the kids are all walking around singing “Tradition, tradition!!!” and saying “Mozel tov!”, along with many other lines.  I love making memories with the family.

My mom had another successful cataract surgery on Wednesday.  After 60 years of glasses and contacts she no longer needs any visual assistance, not even reading glasses.  Isn’t that incredible?!  She says it’s weird not to take out her contacts at night.  I am so happy for her.

Ami shimmied more than halfway up the frame of her doorway!

Not to be outdone......another one of Benjamin's interesting talents

Last Saturday we all got up early to head to KC for the day.  We were excited to see GG Wolfe, as they had just arrived in from Russia.  We also attended a baby shower for our newest nephew/cousin, little Titus.  He is still waiting in Taiwan for his Daddy and Mommy to come get him.  His court date was today (our time last night) and we are anxiously awaiting news of when they can travel to be joined as family.  Here are some shots from the day.

Our Aunt AA, mommy-to-be

Aunt AA's friends had such cute decor for the shower

Ami was SO excited about spending the day with Elle. As soon as we got in the van to head home at the end of the day she said, "I miss Elle." Awwww.

One of Benjamin's amazingly odd talents. Where in the world does he come up with this stuff?! (Elijah's face cracks me up, too!)

The Wolfes always have fun with games, a must for get-togethers. The guys (young and old) are known for making up their own inventive rules

Love you, Kate!

For part of the day I had some terrible head spinning/dizziness going on. I crashed on Elle's bed for a while and after trying to get me off, she gave up and snuggled up to me holding my hand. She is such an affectionate and loving little lady. I love you Elle-belle! Thanks for giving Aunt JJ some TLC.

GG Wolfe with the Wolfe cubs (minus Titus)

Our family with the grandparents

Eric, Kate, Elle, and Zane

With having Grandpa and Grandma here I’ve hardly kept up on my blogging.  I’ll just post a bunch of pictures (both from my Dad and my own) to recap some of what we’ve been up to the last several days.

We've been training for our backpacking trip by walking with our packs 2 miles each morning

Out to eat at one our favorites - MS Fish Shack

We've had lots of rain and severe storms, but they create some gorgeous sunsets to view from our new deck

Chris has been befuddled by our moles for a long time. Dad finally showed him up by catching not just one....

....but two in one day!

The pay off was $10 a mole. Well worth it!

One of my treasures

And another one

Benjamin dressed up as his daddy, complete with shirt, sunglasses and ear piece made from Legos (This shot SO looks like his Uncle Jonathan!)

My dad is never without his camera.  He takes pictures everywhere from Sam’s Club to the creek.  He’s just a sampling.

Our July 4th/birthday lunch

Fireworks

Storm rolling in

At the Food Bank

Bass Pro

Bass Pro

Snapping turtle at the creek

Ami's Amish pal, same age by only a week apart

Wolfe Creek

G/G went with us to volunteer at the Food Bank. Grandpa came out with a couple of souvenirs!

One of those days when siblings are loving playing together

Celebrating 49 years of marriage

Amish Country

Picnic in Amish area

Our photographer

We’ve done a bit of this and that this week.  Grandma had a follow up to her surgery on Thursday and the doctor was so pleased with the progress that he said she didn’t have to wait until next summer to have the other eye taken care of.  So she is scheduled for cataract surgery on the other eye next week!  We are all excited for her and jealous that she’ll have 20/20 vision with her lens implants. 

We celebrated Dad and Mom’s 49th anniversary on Friday with dinner out at our favorite BBQ place.

Today we took G/G up to the Amish area.  We enjoyed a beautiful day with way less humidity than normal.  We came home with lots of yummy fresh produce and some other goodies as well.

The main reason for my parents being here for a month with us is so that Mom could have cataract surgery.  Things went very well this morning and they were home before lunch.  She’s been up and about and doing just fine.  She now has 20/20 vision in the one eye.  Next summer they’ll do the other one.  Amazing!

Post surgery shades

Due to the right eye being dilated it took a "red eye" hit with the flash!

Well, it was a big one this year for me.  My age now starts with the same number as this post title, but I’m happy to say I don’t feel a day older and it hasn’t psychologically messed me up yet.    We attended church in the morning, then ate out at Mongolian BBQ for lunch.  Yummy, but I ate way too much.  I opened some very nice gifts at home, then the kids were itching to shoot off some of their fireworks.  We had American BBQ (just hotdogs) as a light supper before shooting off some more fireworks and then heading out to watch the city show.  Then after the city show we came home for more of our own fireworks since it was now dark.  The kids didn’t get to bed until 11:30, which is unheard of at our house.

We had a great day and I felt very loved.  It is very special to be surrounded by family.  I always especially miss my “twin” on my birthday when we’re not together.  Jennifer is two years older, but we have the same special birthday.  Japan is so very far away, but  Skype and the phone helped bring us together for a bit.  Hopefully we’ll be together next year to celebrate here.  I love and miss you, Jennifer!

The kids had anticipated shopping at the fireworks tent for days.

Benjamin's special craft for my birthday

Opening gifts

Ami adored Uncle Jeremy

One of my pyromaniacs

Enjoying the "show"

They loved shooting the fireworks

She said this was a "Chinese pose"

More "Chinese posing" with sparklers

Another pyromaniac

And one more pyromaniac

On the way home from the city show

Mom, Dad and I saw Jeremy off at 5am this morning then we all went back to bed.  Thanks again for coming, Jeremy!  Love you!

We had a fun and busy week last week.  Grandpa and Grandma arrived on Tuesday, then on Wednesday my brother, SIL, and little nephew were supposed to arrive from CA.  Unfortunately the little guy got sick and they had to cancel the trip.  We were very disappointed as we had not gotten to meet our cousin/nephew yet and they had yet to meet Elijah.

Chris had already taken off Wednesday through Friday, so Dad helped us get started on some much needed landscaping around the new deck.  It keeps looking better and better every day, but there has been a lot of sweat, muscle, and energy put into it all.  I have a couple of pictures, but will post more when the project is completed.

It was on Saturday afternoon as we were slaving away in the heat and humidity, very soiled and soaked in sweat, that a car pulled down the driveway.  I looked up and saw my brother Jeremy get out!  He had flown in on his way home to CA from work in Europe to surprise me for my birthday!  What a special surprise it was, especially after my disappointment in not getting to see my other brother.  It had been 2.5 years since I last saw Jeremy, and he finally got to meet Elijah, too.  Very special!

Tea party with Grandma

Newly stained and sealed

Men moving boulders

Zane, Elle, and Kate came through and stopped for lunch

Grandma introduced the kids to Sudoku

My "little" brother surprised me!

Wii games from their uncle

Uncle Jeremy even tried out the rope swing

We picked up Grandpa and Grandma Clark at the airport this afternoon.  We’re looking forward to having them here for a month with us.  With grandparents overseas, every day together is a gift.

My brother, sis-in-law, and nephew were supposed to fly in tomorrow.  Unfortunately little Sean is sick and they had to cancel the trip.  So sad that we won’t get to meet Sean and hug some more necks.  Please pray for him.