Saturday July 25, 2009

 

 

Cousins’ Week

Friday & Saturday

 

 

 As in the previous two days, Jordan was the first one up in the morning – because he has to leave for work.  After breakfast, he packed his lunch, and will be gone until late afternoon or evening.

 

 

 After he left, the house slowly came alive.  Nate and Josh began the day watching a funny video. 

 

 

 It looks like Lydia and Jenna are also watching something on the humorous side.

 

 

 Ian, Gloria, and Jared are usually a threesome, and Friday morning was no different.

 

 

 Jesse can be found anywhere, as his interests vary.

  

 

When I’m not at my desk this week – someone else is usually there playing a computer game. 

 

 

 It’s also rare to not find someone at my second desk.

 

 

 It’s one of Lydia’s favorite places in the morning – sending emails to friends, listening to Odyssey, or playing a game – sometimes listening to Odyssey and playing a game.

 

 

I also use the children as “slaves” on occasion.     Seriously, they beg to do this job.

 

 

 Diana happened to be in the office when I did a mailing, and was happy to help.

 

 

 Then someone decided to become a hair stylist.   

 

 

 

 

 When Ian heard that Abigail was coming today – following her week at BBI (Brethren Bible Institute) – he wanted to decorate a piece of paper for her.

That means we are again up to twelve grandchildren in house.  However, our door was kind of like a revolving one today:  Jordan out, Abigail in; Jesse and Josh out for a doctor appointment concerning Jesse’s cast, then drop Josh off with a friend for a few hours; and Nathan out to go to work. 

 

 

 Jesse “in” – without a cast!

 

 

 After supper – and another good rain – the children chose to go outside.

 

 

 Diana picked up a large branch that came down when wind brought in the last rain shower.

 

 

Throwing the “whistling nerf ball.” 

  

 

 Diana

 

 

 Jana

 

 

 Jenna

 

 

 Lydia

 

 

 Jana and Jenna competing for the catch.

 

 

 Diana and Lydia on the other end.

 

 

 Abigail waiting for a message from Nathaniel.

 

 

 Oh, goodie, the boys noticed the mud puddles!

 

 

 It looks like others are going to join them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Jesse learned that it is fun to hit the water with a stick.

 

 

 Oops, Gloria was too close to Jesse.

 

 

 

 

 Mud is so much fun.

 

 

 

 

 He didn’t like the result of the latest splash, but was okay when I told him that he would be fine…

 

 

 …and went back to splashing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jenna asked for the camera.  This photo shows me staying at a safe distance from splashing mud.

 

 

 Jenna and Jana having fun with my camera.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Love the sun in her hair.

 

 

 Stopping traffic.

 

 

 Capturing the sun.

 

 

“Here’s the camera grandma, take a picture of us.”

 

 

 

 

 Some alert child (I think Jared) noticed this cicada emerging from its shell.

 

 

 Jesse is getting even muddier.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 They needed to be cleaned with a hose before their real bath.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Now Abigail is happy – Nathaniel and his dog have arrived for an evening hike.

The revolving door continued:  Abigail out; Jordan in; Jordan out to get Nathan; Jordan and Nathan in; Josh in; Abigail in. 

At the end of the day there were thirteen people in our house.

 

~~~

Cerwin called to say they had a good day at the Fergus Truck Show (Fergus, Ontario, Canada.). 

~~~

 

 

 Saturday morning roll-call.  Abigail, Gloria, and Jana in the livingroom

 

 

 Jordan, Josh, Nathan, Jared, and Ian in the garage.

 

 

 Lydia is in her own bed in the guest room.

 

 

Jenna and Diana in my bed.  It’s a good thing we have a kingsized bed.  Grandpa is usually here, so taking turns sleeping in our waterbed was a real treat this week.  Yes, there was still room for me, but I will probably sleep better tonight.   

 

  

 Jesse in the crib, which was at the foot of my bed.  It was the only quiet room for afternoon naps.

  

 

 The last day of Cousin’s Week has begun.  Their parents came between 9:30 and 10:00 this morning – and suddenly the house was quiet.  (Only Lydia, Abigail, and I are here.) 

Next project:  empty air mattresses, wash sheets (lots of them), put things in their usual place, and sweep floors.  Tonight our house is back to normal, and only Lydia and I are “in.”  Abigail is “out’ with that handsome Nathaniel guy.

 

~~~

I should have entered this large number of pictures in two or three entries.  However, I have lots more photos from an interesting bridal shower I attended this afternoon, and every day looks to be busy and interesting next week, so there is no time to stretch out my photos.

~~~

 

This grandma is feeling blessed.