Two special memories with Nonna

Two special memories of our time in Wheaton, and Gemma's time spent with Nonna: 

exploring the playhouse/treehouse - Gemma's face just peeks above fence! 

and helping Nonna cut " 'lacs" (lilacs) from the side yard to bring inside to a vase. They were gorgeous and filled the family room with their fragrance.

Mother's Day Weekend in Wheaton

What a terrific four days we had in Wheaton with Dad and Mom/Granddad and Nonna!! Late spring is a beautiful time to be there - the blooming lilacs, the bright green grass, the mild weather - and we particularly loved being able to be outside in the yard or walking around the neighborhood. Nonna introduced Gemma to the joys of running around barefoot in the grass. Gemma even got to go up to explore the play house with Nonna (see the house behind Dad in this photo? Thank you to Dad and Noah for last year's updates/renovations!).

Nonna & Gemma got a good running and chasing game going one afternoon

Jim grilled salmon burgers and we had a nice dinner with Uncle Dick

Gemma loves to look at photo-books and point to pictures of her Gieser cousins

Unfortunately the planned Work Day (Saturday) was chilly and rainy, but Dad and Jim still managed to complete most of the planned flower box plantings and gutter cleanings. 

Meanwhile Mom and Jul (and Gemma) had fun over several days doing some shopping (new maternity clothes for Jul! fun summer clothes for Gemma!), wandering downtown Wheaton (Gemma was mesmerized by the freight train) and enjoying half-price frappuccino's from Starbucks. Oh, and ginger cookies and snickerdoodles made by Mom at Jul's request, please please.

Jim's homemade Mother's Day chocolate cake!

Park Picnic

Last weekend we joined the Brashers for a hot Saturday afternoon at the park for play and a picnic - it was perfect weather to feel like we are starting off our summer just right! It's the end of another academic year for Ryan and Jim, and there are a lot of changes coming up for both our families in the coming months as we plan to move on from our times at IU. (But trying not to think too much yet about saying good-byes.)

 Melanie and I were especially feeling the heat on this day - both pregnant! (Together again! This time Melanie is a few weeks ahead of me. Their 2nd son is a few weeks younger than Gemma.)

Thomas was a bit shy with Jim and the camera at first

And Elijah was all smiles!

A sure-fire way to get BIG grins out of Gemma: get her running!

The boys spent a long time happily bouncing up and down on the see-saw.

Here's our picnic supper in the shade of the shelter. (Phew.) Awesome bread, hummus, veggies, cheese, meat, chutney, cookies and apricot danishes. Then the adults could sit and talk a bit more while the three kiddos ran around on the grass and decorated (at Thomas's initiative) a little fir tree with clovers and grass stalks. Yes, we all slept well that night!

Little helper

Shucking corn and watering the plants - Gemma loves to get involved with whatever is happening out on our little patio. (If only she was tall enough to hang her own diapers on the line to dry, too.)

Gemma was emphasizing here..."Shuck! Corn. Hairs."

Date Night celebrations

A date night - woa!! Out to dinner & a walk around campus & dessert to celebrate:

•  the end of the academic year - and the wonderful beginning of a quiet B-town summer as masses of students pack up & leave town
  
• Jim's acceptance of an article for publication in a professional journal 
• reaching 14 weeks and the start of Jul's 2nd trimester
• Gemma's happy disposition with our sweet babysitter, Kailee, and how easily she takes to a new friend putting her to bed (peace of mind for mom)

In front of IU's Sample Gates (there was a strong breeze...)

our favorite HUGE gingko tree on campus (hard to capture)

In front of the Memorial Union student center - Yes, it was a night of self-portraits

Our favorite HUGE oak tree on campus