The end of July

Violet after her bath on her birthday. She was playing peek-a-boo.

Ella and Sophia in my cousin Emily's Barbie Jeep. Sophie was talking on the phone and Ella was driving.

Ella and Lydia on Grandma's horse, Scout. They were two little cowgirls. They loved riding and Ella was interested in getting close and learning about the tack and Scout's Frog.

Ella and Lydia at our place picking pears from the pear tree. They are like sisters. They play together well until they fight. They fight a lot, but love eachother a lot too.

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It has been a long time! July was soooo busy and then I needed some time to recover (and read Harry Potter). In a nutshell, this entry will describe our July.

My sister Holly and her husband Ryan and their two girls, Lydia and Violet were around for two weeks from mid to late July. They flew into Chicago. I picked them up and then we all headed for Dubuque (except Warren. He had to work, so he came later.)

Violet turned 1 on the 12th and we had cake for her. Then, we had a family reunion for the Foht's on the 14th and then a get together with my mom's family on the fifteenth. Ella, Sophie and I headed back to Port on Monday the 16th. Then everyone, including Grandma and Papa Foht came up to Port on Saturday the 21st. Grandma and Papa left on Sunday and Warren and I and Holly and Ryan went on a date to Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix and then to dinner and a little walk downtown.

Sophie had had a fever starting on Saturday that lasted until Monday morning. I took the Congers to O'Hare on Tuesday ;( and when I picked up Ella at the sitter, she had a fever that ended up lasting until Friday. Holly said that her girls ended up getting it too. At least they did't get it when they were here. It is always better to be sick at home if you have to be sick.

It was so nice having everyone together, but I really did need the recovery time afterward. It is exhausting (as Ella would say). It is well worth it though, and we can't wait to see everyone again! Thank you God for time with our family and friends and for safe travels!

4th of July

I know that this is a little late, but we left for the weekend right after the fourth. We had a very enjoyable 4th of July. Warren went up to work on the land again on the 4th since he was off work. That left the girls and I to get ready to leave for camping the next night and to try to have a little fun enjoying some of the festivities. Wednesday early afternoon, we went to our friends' house in neighboring Saukville to watch the parade (they conveniently live right on the parade route). It was hot!!!! The bigger kids enjoyed running out for candy and waving at everyone as they passed and the babies had a good time listening to the music and watching the fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. Every time Sophia would hear a siren, she would get a worried look on her face and look in that direction and say, "oh-oh". The picture is of Ella sharing her flag with her friend Ryan to wave it at the vehicles as they passed.

Wednesday night after supper, we went down by the lake and met up with some friends to watch the fireworks. Warren rode his bike down and found us when he got back around 8:30. The fireworks were pretty good except they were supposed to start at 9:15-ish and didn't start until 10:00. By that time the kids were pretty tired and bored. So, that part was a little disappointing. All in all it was quite fun.

We are so thankful for our country and our freedom. Also thanks to our soldiers and our forefathers who fought and continue to fight for our freedom and to protect our country. Thank you God for blessing us to live in this country!