The kids come home......


Friday night, I heard a car door, and when I opened the front door, there were already 2 little ones (Ethan and Kaylin) running toward me. Krystin had not yet escaped her car seat. What a wonderful greeting!!! Lots of hugs and kisses.
Dan's parents (who are friends of Kevin's and mine) host a family July 4th party every year to coincide with the town's fireworks. They always invite Kevin and me. (Kevin was still in KY working on a roof, but will return Sunday evening.) Dan and Britt are enjoying a relaxing moment (read: no children wanting their attention at the moment as there are plenty of aunts, uncles, grandparents to do that) on Lyle's and Sherry's front porch swing.




Britt is playing a game of Snake Toss and just had a less-than-perfect throw. Well, actually, it was a pathetic toss.




Kaylin, 5 yr (who said she would be brave at the fireworks this year...the past 2 years, she has ended up in the van with a parent or grandparent, where it is "safe")




Krystin, 3...just hanging out on the porch, looking over the rail




Ethan, 7....just being happy to be among so many of his extended family who love on him. That's one contented boy. Isn't he so sweet?




Before the fireworks started, Uncle Dave gave Ethan a sparkler he brought for entertainment. And it was great fun....until they got busted! We didn't know you couldn't bring sparklers to the park before the fireworks.




Krystin on Dad's lap...counting all the fireworks




Well...this is bravery at its best. Kaylin insisted that Mom cover Kaylin's ears (this, after Mom had dutifully taped cotton balls on the girl's ears). She did end up opening her eyes for most of the fireworks. Oh yes, she was brave.

John and Nancy invited us to go out to dinner with them a few weeks ago. It was fun to go out on a date together. Afterward, we went to their house and had dessert (cheesecake) and played Dictionary. It was a wonderful evening with friends. Thank you, John and Nancy.




After dinner we drove around the town of Anamosa. Below, what looks like a castle is actually the Iowa State Pen.




And its walls.

Kevin's family was here last week to help us with reshingling our roof. But before we started the project, we went to an art festival. It was a beautiful day to be outdoors.



(L-R)Ray (Kevin's dad); Suzy (K's sister) and her husband, Gene; their daughter, Amy who was home for a visit; Marlene (Kevin's mom); Kevin



Monday morning the shingles arrived. The delivery guy was a wonderful young man who offered to lift the shingles up on the roof
with his forklift...then he went the 2nd mile and even helped unload them. We were so very grateful because that is really hard labor. Those puppies are h e a v y !!!



We used anything, everything we could get our hands on to remove the shingles because, you see....they were actually fused on. Above the garage they game off easily, but all the rest had to be pried, chipped, peeled off; many pieces coming off in 2 to 12 inch irregular pieces. What should have been a 3 hr job turned into a couple of days of intense labor. But we are so grateful everyone was kept safe and that the job is done.






I didn't get a good picture of the old shingles up there because I too, was part of the task force.





Gene, Kevin, Suzy (she was able to help us for a whole day and was a really big help!), me.





At the end of the first day, we could barely move...even to get up just to shower. Amy, Kevin's niece prepared and brought us a ravioli dinner and a fresh garden salad!!! Thank you SO MUCH, Amy. It was delicious, and it was so nice not to be concerned about what to prepare for supper.
I had made food ahead of time, but did not have the time or energy to prepare the meals, so Marlene graciously prepared all our meals, AND she did all of the dishes!! It was so wonderful!!! Thank you, Marlene!




And here's a blessing after the job was all done: We had shingles left over to return, so there's money back!!! That was so nice. Kevin loaded them into his car, and then when he got to Lowe's, a young man who worked there unloaded them for Kevin! Kevin was so thankful to not have to move them again.
We've even had a thunderstorm since our roof is completed...and we're dry!
Thank you, Ray, Marlene, Gene, Suzy, Amy so much for all your help you gave Kevin and me! We couldn't have done it without you!

Sunday afternoon I went to visit my friend, Anna in her home. Her son, Brandt and his wife, Ruth and their baby, Jude came to visit from out-of-state. It was so great to see them all again.