summer 2011

summer 2011

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012
family

Monday, July 6, 2020

the sweet and total joy of summer...

Our summer here in central NY state has been absolutely and completely beautiful. We are having a bit of a drought, we do need rain, but the days are amazingly full of sunshine and warmth, and we are reveling in it. Our deck is almost finished. The order wasn't fully delivered, there are things still back-ordered, and there are more materials we need to complete the steps and railing, and we need a few more deck boards, but it's really nice!



Eleven of the kids were here yesterday, 2 son-in-laws, 1 daughter-in-law, and five of the grandkids. We grilled burgers and coneys, Mariel brought over the yummy cut up watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, and grapes, we had salt potatoes, and there were cupcakes with peanut butter frosting (and little peanut butter cups INSIDE the cupcakes!, thank you Mariel!), brownies with peanut butter and milk chocolate chips, fresh cinnamon donuts and half moon cookies (Thank you Margaret!), and lots and lots of cold drinks, seltzers and Diet Pepsi, iced tea...(thank you, Abigail!). Ashley also brought fresh cut up melon, which was so good.

(And if you're thinking that no WONDER she doesn't lose weight, I didn't have ANY of the desserts, not even a crumb.)(it's not fair, but it's my lot in life)



Grandchildren! And Auntie Evelyn, holding baby Ophelia.


Charlotte Claire, Camille, Margaret (she's due next month!), Abigail, and Mariel.


Auntie Emily with Ophelia


Wulf!!!


We surprised Adrian and celebrated his birthday!


Lovely Molly Rose and Benjamin...


Jonny's four-wheeler is burning a bit of oil. He has three of them, all works in progress. I like the flag on the back. Wulf is in LOVE with going for rides with Uncle Jonny.


Mr. Jonathan, celebrating his freedom. Yes, it's real.

Back in March when things were looking so dire and we weren't sure what would be open when, or if ever, it seemed smart to stock up on pool supplies, and I am ever so thankful we have the pool. With the deck on it, I'm sure it will be even more of a gathering place.

Tomorrow night, happy things are happening! Kathryn and Darius and little Achilles are coming from Oregon for a visit. Isn't it completely upside down and crazy that it almost seems CRIMINAL? What?! Airline travel?! From another STATE?! Oh dear. I'll be picking them up at the airport tomorrow, yay!!!!!!! I am SO excited. I was there when little baby was born, remember back in December when he was overdue and born right on the day we had to leave to fly back to NY? We were there from Thanksgiving day until December 13th, his birthday. I saw Kathryn and Achilles in California in March, but the rest of the family hasn't seen him at all, except for Jonathan who was with me when he was born, but that hardly counts, he was only a few hours old then.

(I stole this from Kathryn's instagram)

So today we have no definite plans except for the clean up the house a bit, put together a highchair that's new in the box so baby Achilles can use it, and, well, don't hate us, but...lounge in that pool!

4 comments:

Billie Jo said...

You better use that beautiful pool on a day like today, my friend!
What a wonderful post about your awesome family!
That menu sounded divine!
Hope you are having another beautiful day, my friend.
Jump in once for me!

Marilyn said...

Hi Della! Your pictures look terrific. Your deck is going to be beautiful.....it is already. Do your dogs like to go in the pool? We found when we used to go to Arizona for 3 months in the winter we just never let the dogs go in the pool and they never tried. It was an inground one. Just the one time when Bindi was a puppy and she leaned over the edge to look at her reflection and fell in!! She never tried again 🤣🤣🤣 Scared her I think. All this happened first thing in the morning when my hubby took them out. I was just hauling myself out of bed and heard him calling and splashing sounds I came out the door to see him bending over trying to get Bindi out of the pool and he knocked Hudson into the hot tub!! He clambered out as Bindi found her way to the steps and then they both shook!! 😳😳 It would have been hilarious if it had been taped 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 It’s lovely here today too, so we are out on the deck reading........dogs crashed as we went for big walkies. Enjoy your Oregon family!! 🥰 Such fun!!

Marilyn from Canada 🇨🇦

Wanda said...

The pool so inviting. Beautiful deck. What a delightful family of adults and kids and good food...Love the Freedom Pic!

Stay well

Tereza said...

so much excitement in this post!!