Cousins are here!!!

Can you tell how fist-pumping excited we are that the Hawkins cousins have arrived?! They are in town for 3 weeks, and we are hoping to enjoy some fun summer activities with them - starting with soccer camp! The 3 boys are attending a morning camp at the rec center all week, and Timo was invited for a "bring a friend free day" on the first day (Monday). Even though he was younger he joined in; I think it helped inspire him to watch and emulate his older cousins.

Timo, Phillip (10), Samuel (8) and Daniel (6)

Meanwhile I had a quiet Monday morning with the two younger boys. We did our usual route of walk/ride down Main St, played at First Baptist Church, and ate our lunch next to the railroad tracks.

Looking forward to more cousin time all week long!! Hopefully I will remember to take some photos.

Lake Glenville for our anniversary

16 Years!! This one snuck up on us - in the midst of busy, tiring days in parenting our three boys - but we did try and do something fun for our anniversary. On Friday night (the actual day) we got take-out from one of our favorite restaurants downtown, Guadalupe Cafe; they have the best fried tofu! And all the entrees are $2 off if you substitute tofu; how great is that! [Big salads for both Jim and I, because the first time I had it it was delicious and now I can't get anything else; and 'pick 3' for the boys]. We also splurged on their chocolate cake, and discovered it wasn't worth it - so Jim has vowed to make another chocolate cake sometime to make up for it.

Saturday morning we packed lunch and drove to Lake Glenville, which is up into the mountains, about 35 minutes from Sylva and a few minutes from Highlands/Cashiers. We were the first ones at the lake but it got very busy by midday. Lovely little, clean, sandy beach and views around the lake and hills. There are a few homes on the lake but mostly it is quite peaceful. In fact the morning was overcast and a bit chilly, and I was wishing that I had packed a thermos of tea for lunch! Next time! I realized this was the first time I had driven up and into the mountains and along winding roads (oh... carsick...) to get to a lake! Admittedly, a reservoir, but still beautiful. While there we said, "why don't we do this again next weekend?!" And "When do you want to go camping?!" (the campground is around the corner) And "Do you think Mom and Dad G will want to go with us to HoneyRock next summer?"

Timo had a great time running down the sand and flinging himself into the water. He did not want to leave after lunch!

It was fun to look out at the lake and see boats going by, and even one jet ski pulling a water skiier. The clouds make this photo look bland but actually the water was clear and clean. You could see little fish in the water, and some other kids caught a salamander in their bucket!

What did this little one's morning consist of? Well, first he drank some milk (in his usual slow and thoughtful manner), and then he looked around and watched his brothers, and then he snoozed. How nice. Trust me, he likes having his head thrown back a bit like that (reminds me of Adah Joy as a baby).

More Gieser fun

Yes, these Africans really were in Wheaton! How fun that we got to (very briefly) see Darlington & Hillary (in Wheaton to attend grad school for 2 years), and Mawethu & Lisa (on a road trip visiting friends).

SURPRISE!! Granddad had the most excellent idea to rent a bouncy house for 3 days - and thankfully their yard is big enough to hold it! The kids spent hours out there jumping, sliding, chasing, hiding, and even playing house in it. And then of course they all slept soundly at night after all that exercise.

Meanwhile, the dads could sit back and watch...

Fourth of July! Ready to head to the parade in their new red shirts and holding up Star Wars Pez candies from Nonna.

Whoever invented these new bouquet water balloons was brilliant! Hundreds of balloons fill up quickly and self-tie at the top, so every kid could have his/her own stash.

For supper on the 4th, Mom and Dad hosted all the extended family in town (cousins and 2nd cousins and aunt & uncle). It is so special to see them, especially since Jim grew up celebrating holidays with this extended family and now the next generation is getting to continue those relationships. I always wish we had more time to spend together!

We also had our family photos taken, but we don't have those back yet from the photographer to share. And of course there were other activities that we didn't get photos of, like: lunch and a visit on Wheaton campus; ladies shoe shopping trip; church; pizza night; walks around the neighborhood; and a trip to the Eye Clinic to pick out new glasses (it wouldn't be a Gieser reunion if someone wasn't getting their eyes checked!).

Thank you, Dad and Mom, for a wonderful reunion! Summertime at Granddad and Nonna's is the best!!

Gieser family time over July 4th holiday

We had a wonderful, fun and relaxing (yes, it was actually relaxing!!) week up in Wheaton with the extended Gieser family. Eight cousins under 7 years old this year and eight adults. The last time we had been together was two years ago, and we were all gratified this time to see how well the kids played together - which meant we adults had a bit more time to talk with each other, in between crazy, loud meals that is.

On our first full day the majority of the family headed to downtown Chicago to the Aquarium, which was a first for most of the kids (I stayed behind with Mattias and Hawk, and Nonna). They had a blast and saw some amazing fish and ocean mammals.

L to R: Elsie, Avery, Bella, David, Timo, Millie

Noah & Katie, Tiff & Steve

Brothers!

Nonna found a deal on a blow-up pool (from Aldi) and the kids spent many, many hours out in the backyard splashing and playing water games. It was perfect. Timo and David in particular seemed to enjoy it and had a blast splashing each other and rough-housing.

Meanwhile, I spent a lot of my time with this little one!

 Typical scene for the week  - the Lego table (with boys in swimsuits) and the food table (with the 2 youngest - not counting Hawk - still eating).

On the 2nd morning we woke up to this parade of penguins and sign that had been placed on the front lawn. Naturally, Nonna also had matching outfits for all the kids.

The best time is just sitting on the steps at the house, chatting and relaxing while the kids play.

In the playhouse, which doubled as the art house this year, filled with supplies

More coming in the next post...

Yummy

With this boy, we are celebrating and marveling at every small, new thing he learns - so look who discovered how to get his hands (especially the right one) up to his mouth for a little nibble! That's what you'll find him doing in the stroller most of the time on a walk now.

He is 2-3 weeks into doing therapy for his joints and limbs, and we are impressed at the differences it has made already in his mobility. He can raise his arms higher, open his hands and stretch out his fingers, straighten his head/neck better, and open up his hips better.