Been A While

I know it's been a while. And yes, Aunt Idanette, I PROMISE I will get photos from our trip to Texas posted very, very soon. For now, here are some just for fun photos to tide everyone over.


Carolyn with our new kitten, Smoke. Yes..... We got another one. Yes.... I know we're crazy. But she adopted us, and isn't she just gorgeous?




Abbie after eating raspberry crisp. I think she liked it.


Abbie posing as Lazarus for Family Night.


A message in the sand.... I know... Awwwww!





Sand Angel


A Carolyn sand-outline--I LOVE her artwork.


Carolyn making a daddy outline.

Jodie Came to Visit!

We had a lovely visit with Jodie, and got to show her some of our favorite spots on the island!








We saw an AMAZING sunset at Deception Pass State Park.



Jodie got this photo of what Carolyn called "The Scream Room" at Ft. Casey. The girls like echoes.





We all had a ball at the Highland Games





And of course we took Jodie to the lavender farm!

IL Trip Round II

Well, Bless Gramma's heart, a couple of days after we returned back to Washington, she went home to be with Jesus. She was ready, though even after 93 years of having her on this earth, none of us wanted to see her go.

So... We turned around and headed back to IL--me with glands the size of basketballs all over my neck. But these things build character, right?

Andy was flown off of the ship and we were so grateful for that. He was able to join us early in our stay and after the services and such were over we were able to visit more family and friends in the area.


We met up with cousin Grace who tried out the Tricycle.


Uncle Brad loves his baby girl. Can you tell?




Abbie on Uncle Brock's shoulders. No niece or nephew (or any kid for that matter) is immune to Uncle Brock's charm. I think he's a kid magnet.


Andy was happy to be back in his home town and to see the Ski Bottling plant again. Ahhh... Ski.


We also got to visit with Kyle and Sarah and I finally got to hold the adorable Katy. Oh is she precious!


Of course we headed to Bloomington to visit with the Smith's. Carolyn adored playing with "The Boys." She STILL hasn't stopped talking about "The Boys."



Silly Wesley... We always end up with a photo or two of his tongue.


And ok--how adorable is Baby Reagan?!


Andy thoroughly bonded with the Smith kiddos. It was wonderful!


On the way back to Papa's from the Smith's, we stopped very spontaneosly at Wildlife Prairie Park. Can I say that it was in typical (Val) Roseberry fashioned 'Should've thought that one through better' style. It was one of the hottest days of the year and us unclimatized Washintonians were tromping around in it. We stayed hydrated and really enjoyed ourselves anyway.


We LOVED seeing the bears. We were able to get really close to them and thoroughly enjoyed watching them play and find ways to stay cool.


It was so nice to see the plethora of midwestern butterflies...


Including a monarch cocoon.


I had to include the photo of our wall (Thanks Brooke!).

Back to IL

We sort of unexpectedly took another trip to IL, after doing battle with some major sickies.


The purpose of our visit was to see Great Grandma (Aunt Gramma). I wish we had more photos with her, but the layout of her room was challenging and the camera moments were limited for different reasons.


Gramma got a kick out of Carolyn tucking babies into her bed.


We also were lucky enough to get to see Lauren and the adorable Baby Ethan.


Lauren took us out to see the buffalo, but he was asleep so we mostly just picked apples.




Of course we went to Steak-n-Shake. We got to visit Becca and her kiddos while there. This was the most successful of two outings with the Rodeffer kiddos. The first was a trip to the movies... Movies, it turns out, are loud and very dark and when you combine that with a mechanical/space-age theme, albeit very kid-oriented, Carolyn freaks out.

But Steak-n-Shake was a hit--especially the hats.


Abbie was rather enthralled at turning on Dad's solor-powered lights.


Abbie and Papa had some very good bonding moments.

It was kind of a heavy visit for different reaons, but I'm glad that we went.

Carolynisms

Somehow or another, the baby Jesus from Carolyn's nativity is floating around the living room and/or Carolyn's room lately.

This has led to some rather hilarious exclamations from Carolyn.

This morning for example, she stumbled upon the manger babe and exclaimed, "MOMMY, I FOUND JESUS!!!!"

I thought there was a tent revival happening right there in my living room.

She also still uses the word, "Upstrated" frequently. I love this word, which I assume is a combination of 'upset' and 'frustrated.'

We spent quite a bit of time with my Gramma Haffner while in IL the last couple of weeks. She is the girls' Great Grandmother of course, but I love what Carolyn calls her: Aunt Gramma.

Lavender 1

Well, the lavender is starting to come out. It's not popped yet, but it's getting close. We'll definitely be going back again, but for this time, here are the photos that Andy got: