This and that and Sunday pics

This week while the older children and Marc were off at camp Tucker slept with me every night (to avoid stairs and so I could monitor his pain).  I think he really enjoyed it.  I would put him in bed with a book while I went upstairs and got Charlie down.  Oh, and he's finally reading something besides atlases.  For years I've wanted him to read fiction, but he only cared about science facts- geography, space, etc.  Now he's moving into fiction and I'm so happy about it!  I love this sweet boy!

Although he wasn't always great at staying on his side.  :)

I read The Courage of Sarah Noble to the little boys- we all enjoyed it.

Tucker harvested his first two tomatoes from his very own tomato plant!  They were delicious!  I remember in the ER when the doctors were trying to distract him they said, "So, what's your favorite thing to eat?"  And Tuck said, "Tomatoes!"  :)

I helped the best buddies bake sugar cookies one night. 

We had a real treat last night.  My Aunt Judy, BB's only sibling, came over for dinner.  She and Uncle Jim live in Illinois, and I only see them about once a year or less.  I loved having them here. 

She brought all the children presents.  Fidget spinners are now in play at our home. 

Marky showed everyone his movies from white water rafting-

Tucker took this picture- hence the angle.  :)

We had movie night after they left, which always involves cuddling.  :) 

Lately we've watched the original Annie movie and the original Parent Trap.  Here are just a few pictures from the phone from before Tucker's accident-

Today we had such a treat- we went to a young priest's very first Mass!  (He was ordained only yesterday!)  It was so touching I cried.  It was such a beautiful service, and I'm so glad Marky got to altar serve for it (which is why he is wearing black pants while the rest are seersucker). 

Charlie got hurt on the steps and she glanced over right when I took this picture, but I still like it. 

Sissy is home from camp!

On Friday afternoon Marky and I drove up to retrieve Sissybug from summer camp.  We had no way of communicating with her while she is gone and the only pictures we get are the ones the camp posts.  In several of the pictures she wasn't smiling so I was worried she wasn't having fun. 

When I picked her up I realized I couldn't have been more wrong.  She had the time of her life!  She loved every minute of it, loved her roommate, and loved learning new things like how to braid string for bracelets.  :)  They went horseback riding one day where the leader walks the horse around on a rope.  The leader realized by the way Julia held her reigns and her posture that she was a rider and let her trot around the ring by herself many times.  She was the only one who got to do it and felt very special. 

It rained all week and I wondered how that would affect camp, but camp just went on in the mud and rain- the children loved it!  One day they had muddy slip-n-sliding down an giant hill.  Julia loved it!

She loves all the silly camp songs they always sing. 

 

Fishing in the rain-

 

They tie-dyed t-shirts.  We left Julia's white t-shirt in the car accidentally so she decided to tie-dye her white bathing suit cover-up.  :)

They did a scavenger hunt at Ave Maria Grotto.  They also went to the pottery studio and made a bowl on the pottery wheel as well as an animal out of clay.  Julia made a turtle. 

One day they went on a two-mile hike and went rock climbing.  Julia went into the dark cave that she's been scared of every year. Our little girl is growing up!  She enjoyed the crafts- like making a rosary-

Glad you had such a great time Julia!  Even more glad you are safe at home!  :)  We love you!