Where did you go, July?

 Another blogger from our church wrote this post and I feel like I could borrow it almost word for word, right down to the case of Lyme disease. Summer is slipping by rapidly while we've been too busy to notice. I don't care if we never have another July like 2022!  

2 major time-stealers of July were VBS and a move. Our son changed addresses, not us. (I hope I never have to pack up 30+ years of belongings and move!) And they did it while he was dealing with Lyme- the exhaustion, the rash, aching so bad it hurt to move, swollen joints, and antibiotics that upset the stomach. So we were over there a lot, helping as much as possible. Here's my favorite grandkids helping me label boxes...

And loading up our van for one of many trips back & forth...

Then loading a trailer (during a brief rain shower & power outage)...

Good-bye, old house! I liked you. I'm especially going to miss your awesome adult swing. And dropping by on the way to/from town. (I'm not going to miss the mosquitoes that came with living in the woods though.)

 

Unloading at the new house...

Hello new house! I'm going to like your big yard, and having my grandkids closer. 

Sorry, not sorry, Grammie lets the grandkids stay in their jammies all morning.

Avery was old enough to go to VBS at our church this year. Not sure who enjoyed it most-Grammie or Avery?? Crafts was definitely her favorite. But it kept us hopping to go away every night.

Then there was also a holiday- the 4th- and a family gathering.

Which included meeting "Marshall" at the city park...

...and sparklers.

In the midst of all the craziness, we discovered BunchO Balloons. We haven't had time to go to the pool or beach yet this summer, but we love these easy peasy water balloons!

Colton rockin' his water-balloon-throwing outfit. LOL

Someone discovered squeezing the balloons makes them squirt, which last longer than throwing them (since they instantly pop when they hit the ground). 

Colton's first haircut by PopPop. Might not be professional, but it's free.

A year later, we finally got the lattice installed on the back deck. (Originally it was labeled as the grilling deck, but we have yet to lug the grill up there.) Our clay soil is still being amended, in hopes having healthy landscaping around it eventually. Hope springs eternal...

Meet Sebastion. We managed to go without any animals for a couple months -for the first time in 29 years. Until someone brought a kitten home. His propensity for darting in the house every time the door opens makes me plan my door-opening to a minimum. Fingers crossed this is a temporary inconvenience, and that he will earn his keep in time, as yours truly hates mice way more than I'm not fond of pets.

Arianna is house sitting right now. She planned a tea party for Avery at "her" house. It was beyond adorable! I thought I had cool aunts when I was growing up... 

Jeremy also spent a week at the air show in WI. You can check his social media for photos.

 

Good riddance, July! You were crazy, but we survived. 💪