July was a fun summer month.  We spent several days down at the lake.  Over the 4th Joni had 4 college friends come in from New York, Dallas and Ohio for a spontaneous get together.  We had an amazing time together catching up and sharing our families.  There were lots of late nights and Fifi’s delicious margaritas. 

Steve and I went to the Catholic Marketing Network convention in Cleveland to check out what Catholic products are being sold in the various religious stores.  We were very enthusiastic about our product line and think it will fill a void in the market. While there, Steve and I celebrated our big 5^th anniversary!  It was so nice to go out on a date while Sittoo and Giddoo watched the girls. 

The girls had a wonderful time with their Sittoo and Giddoo.  At the end of the week, Auntie Suzie and Auntie Bethy and Uncle Paul came in to town with cousins Michael and Daniel.  The children had a blast together playing on the slip and slide, going to the little Kiddie Park (tiny amusement park for little children), and having picnics in the yard with their grandparents.  As you will see from the photos, there was too much smiling going on!

Steve and I found a wonderful woman, Señora Reyna, who comes in 3 days a week to help with the house and kids.  The girls are learning Spanish already!  I am able to leave the sleeping babies at home while I run Emma to her activities. 

This month Vivian began to clap and to play "So Big!"  She is adorable, huggable and irresistible!

Ruthie is a gabber.  She speaks in complete sentences and is very polite.  She says, “May I get down now?” She is so polite that even when she is being tickled she will say, “May you stop?”  Ruthie is so excited that her birthday is next.  She says, “Ha birday, MY birday!”

Emma is a delight and this month she has started drawing pictures.  She draws houses with people in the windows and clouds and the sun.  She draws grass and flowers.  Emma also reads 3-4 letter words and began writing them as well.  She sounds out words beautifully and her penmanship is unbelievable.  That girl does absolutely anything she decides she wants to do!