Check-ups

Olivia had her 9-month appointment last week (she was just a few days shy of being 10 months old on the day of her appt).

Everything is looking good!  She's moving right along on the growth chart, hanging around the 10-15% mark for pretty much everything.  She's weighing in at 16 lbs 14 oz, and about 27" tall. (The scale in the picture says 17 lbs so I think I was touching it or leaning against it).

Ellie had her 4-year appointment on the same day, and things are looking great for her too!  Her hearing test was fine (although it must be very selective because she rarely seems to be listening at home these days ;).  She weighs 29 lbs 12 oz, and is 3' 2" tall.  Her eyes are unchanged (she had an eye exam a week before her 4-year checkup).  Ellie also got a couple of shots at this appointment, which is why she looks so nervous in the picture below.  I took this as we were waiting for the nurse to come back.  Ellie did great, though, and now she's all caught up and ready for school to start.

Making progress

I'm making progress on the Fireworks quilt that I started a few months ago.  I finished all 16 blocks that the pattern calls for, but I'm considering making 4 more to make it a little bigger.  I am loving it so far - and I'm planning to keep this one for myself.

Atlanta

When we left Pittsburgh, we flew straight to Atlanta for a girls' (and kids) reunion (with the Woodbury side of the family).  Garrett drove up from Florida so that I could have my car there, and then he flew to Utah to go dirtbiking with his dad, grandpa, uncles, and cousins.

One fun thing we did was take the kids to Stone Mountain.  There are a ton of fun things to do there, but sadly we didn't have much time to do them!  But we did ride a train around the mountain, which was fun:

There is also a light show that they do every night, so we stayed for that.

Me and the girls in front of Stone Mountain:

Morning smiles from Olivia:

Garrett's mom did a fun tie-dye project with the kids, using permanent markers and rubbing alcohol.  The shirts turned out really cute!

We spent a morning at the World of Coke

Abbie posed like this all on her own, haha:

We learned all sorts of fun info about the history of Coca-Cola, and did a lot of fun things.  At the end of the tour, you go into a big room and they have Coke drinks from all over the world that you can try.  This kiosk had drinks from Africa.

I have to say, I had very good self-control here!  I tried several but didn't drink any full cups of anything... even the good stuff from the USA.  I'm really trying to stop drinking that junk.

And I have to say, there is a Coca Cola drink called "Beverly" from somewhere in Europe, and it is the most disgusting thing you will ever drink.  It tastes like chewed up aspirins.  It almost ruined my whole day.

The girls were so excited for their "free" Coca Colas that they got at the end of the tour.  They saved them for Garrett since they aren't allowed to drink brown soda. (Ellie talked to Garrett on the phone later and said, "I have some Coa Coa for you!")

All tuckered out:

Aunt Katie painted the girls' nails:

And did their hair:

We took the kids to the Atlanta Zoo one day:

And we even had a girls' night out one evening.  We went to a Braves game and it was SO fun!  Definitely a highlight of the week, I think:

We also spent some time at a pool, shopping, and even got in a trip to the temple.

Abbie & Rylan:

Ellie & Nana:

Abbie & Nana:

We had a great time in Atlanta!  Garrett flew back almost 9 full days after he left us there and we made the long drive home, pulling into the driveway at 5:30 a.m. (thanks, flight delays!).  It was nice to be home after a long 3.5 weeks away.  We are so grateful for the wonderful, family-filled summer we had this year!

Pennsylvania, part 2

We took a few pictures after church one day, since we were all dressed and "made up" (we don't do that much when we are hanging around the farm all day, every day):

The kids with Great Grandpa and Great Grandma:

Me & the girls

With my parents:

Five out of seven:

The view from a field above the big house - you can see the roof in the distance.  Also, the red barn.  My grandparents hired some Amish people to build it for them a few years ago:

A view from a Ranger ride.  I love all the attention to detail that my dad and Grandpa put into this property.

We stopped to pick some blackberries... left lots for the bears, though:

On a walk with Grandma:

Ellie & Marian:

We went to the Chinese buffet one night, and this was Abbie's fortune:

The kids' table:

It was just a little ironic that she asked me to read this to her:

The ghost house!  In years past, the kids have always been terrified of this small cabin down in the woods by the creek.  It was built by the previous owner of the property and he actually still comes and stays in the cabin every once in a while.  Anyway, the kids always thought that a ghost lived inside and would start to cry whenever Grandpa would even start driving the Ranger towards that part of the woods.  They seem to have overcome their fear this year!

Swinging:

A trail by the house.  There used to be train tracks here but they were recently torn out and the town is making it into a nice walking trail.  It's right on the border of the property.  I wish I had gotten a better picture of what the path looks like.. just beyond that bend, there are huge rocks on the sides and it must have all been blown out when they put the train tracks in.  Anyway, while we were walking we heard a "ghost" calling to us from high up above on the hill.  Interestingly, he sounded a lot like Grandpa.

Just playing:

Picking flowers for Great-grandma:

Emma, showing off her "18-weeks" belly. I think she's fooling us all:

I found this picture when I was scanning my grandma's photos.  It's my great grandma, Audrey Belle Stickland.  Call me crazy but I think Abbie looks just like her! (also, helping my grandma with all this family history really made me wish that I had looked around a little bit more before naming Olivia!  We settled on "Marie" for her middle name because we couldn't think of anything else [it was my middle name], but I'm really wishing we had named her Olivia Belle.  Is it too late to change it??  I really am seriously considering it.. or maybe naming my next girl's first/middle name Belle, if I have one).

My dad teaches Sunday School at church and I couldn't help sneaking this picture.  Mom is his scribe at the chalkboard.  I always love hearing my dad teach, he is a wonderful and interesting teacher.  He tells lots of stories which I love.  His ward is so lucky to have him. (My mom is also a huge asset to the ward - she plays the organ each week, besides serving as the RS president!):

                    

Mom made her delicious homemade bread... and someone just couldn't wait.  (ahem.... Emma):

And we ate it with mom's strawberry rhubarb jam, of course:


A few more fireworks pics that I forgot in the last post:
                 

                     

                       
Digging through more family history:

Sitting outside in the evenings... the air was cool at night and it was so wonderful:

 Tractor rides with Grandpa:

Sisters:

Olivia swinging:

 Abbie & Grandma snuggling by the fire:

And, all good things must come to an end.  Thankfully, my mom got a gate pass so she could come hang out with us until we boarded!

Usually after two weeks of vacation, I am ready to go home.  I did not feel that way this time, it was so hard to leave this year!  Of course we missed Garrett and were anxious to see him again, but I really don't think there are many places in the world better than the farm.  The property is wonderful and beautiful and perfect, but of course the best part is that my parents and my grandparents are there. Yes, sometimes it's hard that when we go "home" to see them, I'm not going to the place where I grew up (NH) so I don't get to see old friends or places that I would love to see again, and I don't get to eat lobster.  But, home is where your family is and I'm so grateful they are where they are.  I cannot imagine a more idyllic, relaxing vacation and I'm already looking forward to next year's trip.  Thanks, Mom & Dad and Grandma & Grandpa Siebach for a wonderful two weeks!