just another summer adventure

Rachel and I decided to take the kids to play in the olentangy river at high banks to have some good old fashion summer fun. We arrive in our suits with shovels, pails, nets. All is going well and every one is so excited to be doing something new and fun! We're wading in the water, throwing stones, floating sticks and just enjoying the afternoon.....

Then, I notice something black on hannah's leg and flick it off hoping it wasn't a... and then Rachel points to something on Abby's leg and I flick it off.... and then we look around at the boys and each other and start freaking out - TICKS!!! everywhere! Do they fly? are they hopping? floating? OMG, let's get out of here and QUICK! We race to the picnic area and do a tick check on everyone finding at least 9-10 of them. Still makes me itch just thinking about it.

It was fun while it lasted and sure made us laugh!

Abby starting to explore

hannah, aunt rachel and baby mary

looking for fishies

trying for one posed picture...not too bad

(jonah, abby, luke and joe)

TICK CHECK

(sorry hannah, i couldn't help it!)

We're off to Morristown

Doug headed to Denver for work for a week, so the babies and I packed the car and visited Liz, Noah, Anna and Benjamin in New Jersey. Lots of fun watching the cousins play together and I of course loved having some QT with my sissy. We played at the park, visited the zoo, swam at the pool and even went to a local farm to pick blueberries and peaches. Wish we could do it every weekend! Thanks for having us, we sure love you!

hannah having fun at the park

peek a boo benjamin

wish I looked that pretty 30 weeks pregnant!

mmmmm.... friendly's ice cream treats

anna riding the "pony" at the zoo...pretty big to be a pony ;-)

benjamin's a natural

jonah's thinking about his days on the ranch...

looking at the worlds BIGGEST pig!

enjoying the hayride at the farm

I met the most beautiful little thing today...

Baby Ruby Burke Stegal! Heather gave birth nearly a week ago after 60+ unforgettable hours of labor. She is beautiful and sweet, a perfect mix of her parents. What a joyful time for their new family - GOD is good!