Catching up on pictures...

These two are from our Fourth of July party. The original plans were to have an outdoor swim party, but the weather didn't cooperate. It was a fun day anyway. We were so happy to have Carol and Fred here with us. Joel too - we're very thankful that his job doesn't keep him busy on holidays.



Isn't Meghan looking grown up? She's 13 now! Wow! She looks so much like Maya, I might be getting a peak into the future. This picture was taken at the South Bend Chocolate Company in Lighthouse Place. Carol, Linda, my Mom, Meghan, Maya, Fred and I all went for some shopping and good food. Meghan had the best shopping karma - lots of cute new things! This was a great group to shop with, we all seemed to be on the same wavelength.





The Hobart High group joined us for a delicious Sunday brunch. Such good friends, we love you guys! Fred and Carol arrived that day too.





Maya playing skeetball and basketball at the FourWinds arcade. She is so adorable - concentrates really hard and has the whole form thing down pat, even a great follow-through.



One of the many times over the two weeks Carols was here that she sat reading with Maya.



Lori playing with Maya, Alex (or as Maya says, alec-ka-zander), and Meghan.




We went to see the movie "Up". None of us saw the whole thing :)




Almost finished!



Saturday fun with Carol, Linda, Maya, David.



Full! Special beads - The center one is a gift from Mom and Dad - and my fave. The blue enamel flowers is also from Mom, she had it on hers, but her bracelet is black and white (so cool!) and this one just didn't go.... The baby carriage symbolizes Maya joining our family. The shamrock-Notre Dame. The blue and green Murano are a combo that remind me of Lake Michigan and our pool. I just love both of them! The hedge hog is just so stinkin' cute and also reminds me of Maya's favorite tv show, Charlie and Lola. The butterfly reminds me of the nighttime routine Maya and I have of planning to dream about butterflies and her reaching for them in her sleep. The puffy heart is from my visit to Marianne and Kathy. The pink enamel heart beads are the first I ever bought - to celebrate the royal flush win at French Lick. The chubby bird ( I know, I know it's the happy bird - the lovely lady at Ashley's tells me every time ) is just cute and yes, happy. The clips are called "Journey" and I'm having a great one!





Shoe shopping at Stride Rite. Grandma bought Maya the cutest-ever-flip flops!



Maya's food is coming - delivered on the model train at Tyler's Tender.




Riding the warthog at Lighthouse Place.




Father's Day - giving Grandpa a watch.....


Surfer girl!





So pretty at Sunrise.

more Summer Flowers

It's Almost Over :(

Maya's Uncle Fred and Aunt Carol (Wayne's sister) have been here visiting us from Nevada for two weeks. We have had so much fun and really enjoyed their company. It felt like we were on vacation too!

Today we spent most of our time outside / in the pool. Fred even tested the water out. They had gone earlier to Lighthouse Place where Carol bought the Coach bag that I had been eyeing (hey! glad someone in the family snagged it). Then we went to dinner at Wagner's. We tried the original Wagner's in Porter, only to find out that children aren't allowed there. Reminiscent of the other night when we tried to go to El Salto for dinner, only to find out they were closed for remodeling. Technical difficulties! So we drove to Valparaiso. Wayne and I had the Ribeye steaks and they were especially delicious. Fred and Carol sampled the ribs that Wagner's is famous for. Maya had mac n cheese and made a huge point of telling everyone that it was not macaroni and cheese it was mac n cheese and then dissolving into giggles. We stopped over at my parents for dessert. Fun day!

Where are the pictures, you ask? Well, I have been a very remiss photographer recently. I know, I know, out of character. Don't know why....

Yesterday we went to Blue Chip for the B1GI buffet and a bit of video poker. After a delicious lunch, I was up $2.50 (wow, big spender, huh?). I decided to cut and run, well quit playing and walk.... to Lighthouse Place for some retail therapy. Wayne was the big winner and Fred did pretty well too. All in all - fun!

Hmmmm, what else have we done in the last two weeks? We had a Fourth of July party that was lots of fun. Mom and Dad, Linda, Dave, and the Mauk family all came over to celebrate with us. It was a rainy day, so we stayed indoors, but still Maya had to say, " I love parties! ".

We've eaten alot and eaten out alot. We tried the pizza at Popolano's which was delcious. The other night when El Salto was closed, we headed over to Santiago's for the Mexican food that I've been craving lately. It was mucho dee-lish! Afterwards we went to the Dunes and walked along the beach. I love the Lake so much. I took off my shoes and walked along the edge of the waves. The water wasn't a bit cold but not bad. The waves were rough though, we didn't see any boats.

One evening, we also too a long walk at Coffee Creek. It was busy - there were alot of people running, walking, sitting and talking, enjoy nature.

Fred sang for his supper, so to speak. He painted a big part of our deck! Way to go Fred, thank you for being so much help.

Carol has spent quite a bit of time reading to and playing with Maya. That's my favorite part of having houseguests - our family or friends get to know Maya better than just with a visit.

Sometime when I'm not as tired as I am right now, I'll go through my pictures and hopefully have more to share.

Happy Birthday to our Great Country!

Smith Cookout

Mike and Mary invited us to a steak cookout! In appreciation for us driving Christina to therapy on Mondays, they had us over for a delicious dinner.

Maya had big fun with all the boy cousins.

June Picture Day

Since I've been too lazy to download my pictures lately! at least I have some prof pics....

Avoiding the Paparazzi?

Hmmmm, I think Maya was practicing for when she is famous and trying to avoid the Mommy-Paparazzi. The train is at the LaPorte County Visitor's Center.

Notre Dame

Grandpa, Grandma, Maya and Mommy went to lunch at the Morris Inn and then to the bookstore (food and shopping, some of our faves, ya know?). It started to rain which put a cramp in our plans to walk around the campus. I wasn't my usual picture "snappy" self and only got one.

Just fun

Summer Flowers

Pretty Baby