I've been on hiatus this past month. I have only one excuse - pregnancy sickness. The last thing I've wanted to do in the evenings is blog. But, I've got many posts to catch up on and my mom told me she would really like to see some recent pics :)
4th of July:
6 of the 7 kids in D's family were together on the 4th. A good BBQ, water relays for the kids, slip-and-slide, bingo, and a prize box made the day memorable for all 13 grandkids! D did the Q-ing and I made Barefoot Contessa's flag cake - a great recipe but definitely not heart-healthy.
Little S with her cousins who were in town from the DC area.
This is not a great professional looking photo, but I wanted to post it because it could be from any number of the family gatherings we've had in the past couple of years. After the meal we all sit around discussing random topics from "why are those vampire books so popular?" to "do you watch TMZ?" to more pressing topics like "the global economies of India and China." There is usually a new baby in the mix and at least one pregnant woman (in the pic above there are 3 pregnant mamas). Ahh, the fam.
D took the above pic in July during his much deserved mini-vacation to Sequoia National Park. He tent camped with 3 of his brothers, one sister-in-law, two nephews and one niece. They camped along the river and D was in charge of the dutch oven meals, which were a great success. The crew even got to see bears along the hiking trails. D came home wanting to lure Little S and I up to Sequoia the following weekend, but we said maybe in the fall.
Home sweet home: the family camp next to the river. 
Bear boxes: all food and toiletries must be stored in these big cages when not in immediate use. The nephews and niece fit nicely inside :)
The nephews taking in the view from the top after a good hike.
Kristine, Scott and Matthew.
