The happenin's

We just got back to a 100 degree town and a 160 degree house. Typing on the keyboard makes me break out into a sweat even though there's a fan blowing directly on me from 3 feet away. I should probably stop talking about the heat since that will get boring real soon, real fast. I will add just one detail: my bar of soap is melting as I can deform it just by picking it up.

Our visit to Matt's family was so great, though we missed seeing one set of siblings from Florida. Here are some highlights from the week.

Our third niece Emily Renee was born on Friday night. We were so thankful to hear such positive reports on the delivery and health of Mommy and baby. Elizabeth and Andrew stayed with the grandparents for a little while and Elizabeth now 3 was concerned about just one thing: "Does Emily share?" Andrew on the other hand is tender toward the new baby, but needs reminding not to climb on the pack and play. He's such a boy. He loves to throw himself onto the couch and for pillows to be chucked in his face. His laugh is contagious. I loved holding Emily. She is so tiny and beautiful, and she has the longest limbs I've seen. Will she be a ballet dancer?

We went tubing on Matt & Kara's boat. It was a perfect day to hang out! It's awesome (emphasis) that they have a boat and share it with friends and family. Thank you!

My father-in-law took us out to eat at this Lebanese restaurant. We ate babaganouj, kibbee, falafels and pita pizza. Afterwards, we went to Rock City. Basically, a natural area with enormous untouched rocks and man-made names like "pulpit rock," "hamburger rock," "three sisters," and "balancing rock". It was so fascinating to see such huge rocks with deep crevices. Here's a picture there from 1891:

It was also our fourth annual blueberry picking party. Not everyone could come because of work schedules, but we picked plenty to share.

We visited friends and family and Matt's home church. It was great to be back and we sure got spoiled. Before coming back home, we stopped for a few days at Matt's other grandparents' house & farm. As usual, there was plenty of cow petting, feeding and milking, relaxing and chatting, ice cream eating, lawn mowing and four wheeling. Just the right amount of country dosage we needed.

Back home now, our squash plant is still alive! I haven't seen anything but flowers, but I'm hopeful. Our tomato plant grew a few inches, but not in bushiness. There are a few green tomatoes at the top (can the squirrels reach that high?). And best of all, my fist-sized pepper is still there! It's even bigger and I can't wait to enjoy my first (and only?) harvest.