Week 30--Texas Cousins Visit

Monday, July 25th

We left the Cape at 6:30a to scoot home and be thrust into a new week.  I quickly hit the grocery store and then got home to take on Allie and Levi who were in CT, visiting from TX.  We were excited to get a few days with them.

I invited the extended family over for the afternoon / evening.  It doesn't get much better than cousin time!!  

Bauer is having the worst shedding season of his life.  Tim volunteered to brush him.

Boys!   That's a baby doll inside the tire.

And a fully-clothed, just out of the pool Rocco!

Tuesday, July 26th

Juliet was very present while her sibs were here.  She was intentional about spending time with them, taking them on errands, treating Allie to a manicure... I was impressed and grateful, and told her so.

Wednesday, July 27th

Blueberry picking!

Juliet spent the better part of the day making a birthday cake for Ian entirely from scratch.  She was patient and so pleased with the end result.  I think she enjoyed the satisfaction of creating something and the anticipation of someone being surprised and blessed by her effort.

Thursday, July 28th

Kelly posted these on IG: 2015- babies in Peru, struck by Cupid's arrow.

2016- Sept. 24th first official date- seeing "Mystery" in West Hartford

And now, they are about to celebrate their One year wedding anniversary!!!

Alberto came for the day.  C4 came for a swim.

It worked out that we all (minus Maddy and Mason) could meet up at CFA.  After eating, we all huddled around one table so we could carefully explain Lisa's news.  Everyone sort of took it in quietly like a punch to the gut.  Not many questions.  We wept and prayed together.  It was a silent ride home except for the collective tears.  A very hard night, but grateful that we all have each other.  

Friday, July 29th

I was with Lisa in NY for her port placement.  I was quite angry this day.  It feels very unfair that this is NOT the first time I've done this with her.  It all feels very unjust!  The silver lining: everything was textbook and she and I enjoyed our time together.

Daddy-Daughter-Dpuble-Date! (with Ryan and Elly)  

Happy birthday to Ian.  He loved his cake from Juliet. 

Saturday, July 30th

We attended Kevin (lifetime friend of C4's) and Tristan's beautiful wedding.  Both C4 were in the wedding party.  As I snuck pictures through the window, I was tickled when they both acknowledged me.  

The beautiful bride.

Noah, Justin, Kevin, Isaac, C.  The best of friends since their nursery days together.

Maddy traveled back from Italy.  Mason's family was there for two weeks.  Maddy and Mason joined them for the 2nd week.  The pictures and stories are amazing.  What a dream.  

Sunday, July 31st

Another "gathering"- Trevor's gang +.  Beautiful day by the pool and then the Cours joined for dinner.  Our biggest Daddy's Dinner ever with 20ish of us.

These boys started at the Cours for a big Pokemon pack opening party.  Then they joined the pool / dinner crew.

Week 29--Cape Cod

 Monday, July 18th

I dropped off Tall Brother bright and early.  He was off to be a counselor at Jr. High Camp.  From all reports, he was a rockstar.

A couple hours later I was back to run registration and see Rocco off!  First one since 2019!

2019!  They've grown a bit!

They're off!  Our new camp property is only 40 minutes away in CT.  No more New Hampshire.

Tuesday, July 19th

Renna and I met Andrea and Sienna up at Six Flags.  The girls mostly did the water park, but then we finished up with a couple rides.

An update from camp! :)

Taco Tuesday at an alternate location.

C4 and Kell invited us over to try his Oculus.  I passed, opting to go home and process Lisa's news, which at the time was coming in bits and pieces.

Wednesday, July 20th
We snuck out to Gramma and Bobbi's campground with the dogs.

Trevor had an overnight gathering.

A glimpse of camp.  Both Mason and Rocco pictured.

Thursday, July 21st

Got this trio together.  They've been friends since they met at dance at age 3.

Friday, July 22nd

Our 16th Annual trip to Cape Cod with Bob and Jules.  We went just for the weekend, like back in the early years of going.  Their house is undergoing an enormous renovation, so that meant no family week there.  But that's ok.  We got plenty of family vacation this summer.

Colombo and I left first thing so we could get a beach day at Old Silver together.

Once O'Bonks arrived we tried a new dinner spot on the prettiest patio / garden.

Saturday, July 23rd

We started with a visit with sweet Yiya who mercifully still remembers Jules, but not much else.  She's declining, but rallied for our visit and was particularly smitten with how handsome Colombo is. She got extra hugs from him.

We were lucky enough to get a boat day on Delilah.  We started in Vineyard Haven, dropped anchor, and swam.  Then we went into the harbor and docked, bringing back a FLOOD of the BEST memories docking at Block Island.  We jumped off for a couple hours and then headed back in time for a sunset cruise.

Sunday, July 24th

I walked at least once a day.

After church we went to the Clubhouse for brunch.

Then we took the jet ski and Whaler over to Washburn Island for another afternoon by the water.