Hey there Peanut –

I’ve been meaning to write. We have had quite a week!

Last Sunday, we played outside in our backyard all morning. Our neighbor down the street is moving, and she gave us her swing set. Your Daddy (I helped just a little) took it down and moved it down the block to our house on Saturday. The next morning, you and I played in the sandbox,

while Daddy reassembled it, building new pieces for different parts to make the structure stronger. We had SUCH a great morning. We also played with the hose,


and helped Daddy when he needed it.

After lunch we headed down to Auntie Judi and Uncle Jim’s cabin on Canandagua Lake. What a fantastic day we had! Here are some picture highlights!

Hanging with Aunti Judi

Karen and Miss Maya share a piece of pie. Sharing is ALWAYS better!

“Save me from myself!” Ashook and Judi protect Maya from a hot chili pepper. She keeps them on their toes!

Family time in the paddle boat (Our second such ride. We first took a family paddle boat ride at the mountain cabin for Laura and Alan’s wedding.)

Water balloons with Ethan

Water balloons are fun!

Hanging out with Ashook

What a fun day we had!

Last night we arrived home from Trip #9.

This adventure took us to Uncle Gus and Aunt Rena’s house in Highland Park, NJ to see the opening for Rena Rae’s artwork. We drove down Friday night (you slept almost the whole way). When we arrived around 12:30am, your Mommy and Daddy realized that they were lost. We were in the neighborhood of the hotel, but we could not actually find it. By the time we found the hotel, it was about 1am, and you woke up. Rough night for all of us.

The next day more than made up for it though. We had breakfast and went over to the house where Uncle Gus, Cousins Bruce & Alka, Grandma Luehmann, & Aunt Mary were waiting for us with OPEN ARMS! After playing a little while, you took a nap on Grandma’s lap. What a treat!

Here is a picture of Mommy’s Cousins Alka & Bruce hanging out on the front porch.

Grandma Luehmann & her Sister Mary

Later we went to Rena Rae’s art opening. Sadly, she passed away a few weeks back. It was such an honor and an inspiration for all of us to be at this opening. Her work is so beautiful, so powerful. You can see her passion, compassion, and spirit mixed in with her talent in each and every piece. This is a small shot of my favorite of her work:
“Be all that you can be” Baby Girl Tatemann. Like Rena Rae, I pray you will grow up to be just as beautiful inside and out, just as passionate about what you believe in, and just as compassionate for those who need your love.

Here are some more pictures from the opening:

Rena Rae’s brother Bruce, Gus, Mary, Grandma, some friends of Gus & Rena’s, and Kay

Grandma Luehmann and her big brother Gus and little sister Mary.

Uncle Gus and his sister-in-law, Kay. What wonderfu people!

3 Generations

What a beautiful event!

Group shot

Bruce and Miss Maya exploring Lincoln Logs together… What a special day!

After the opening, you and your Daddy and I went out to eat. We giggled quite a bit. This is a wonderful picture from that trip:

Daddy makes me giggle!

This is Rena Rae’s brother Bruce and Mommy’s cousin Bruce.

The next morning, on Father’s Day, we all went to church, and then headed back to Gus and Rena’s house for lunch.

Hanging out with Grandma

Uncle Gus shows me how the top spins.

Soon after, we headed home.

Getting Gas

It was 92 degrees outside during our drive home. We stopped to have lunch in the Pocono’s and you and I gave Daddy some presents to tell him how grateful we are for him! Boy were we all POOPED when we got here.

Sacked out!

Thank you to Gus and Bruce and Alka and Grandma and Mary and Bruce & Kay for such a FABULOUS adventure! We love you very much. Thank you for letting us share in this very special time!

This morning we picked up Jimmiqua at 9am and headed to the Public Market. It was cold and windy, but it was still fun to the be there. And we were certainly not alone – the place was packed. We started by visiting our friends’ bakery, JonJohn’s. Out of friendship and love (as well as love for sweets), we bought 3 chocolate dipped peanut butter cookies.

I think we ended up bumping into over 5 people from church, all of whom first recognized YOU! And, Joe, one guy from church introduced you to a number of other people as the Famous Gospel Choir Baby.

Here are some things we bought:
bag of onions – $1.25
green beans – $1
grapes (for you – you picked them out) – $2
rhubarb – $1
nectarines – $2
blueberries – $3

When we came home, we had some hot chocolate and then got to work at making a homemade rhubarb pie – We made it from SCRATCH! All 4 of us! It was so much fun, and it turned out GREAT! We have a fabulous pie now, all for what Daddy reminded us cost $1!! Nice!!

We got to talk with Grandma & Grandpa Luehmann briefly a couple times. We’ll get to see Grandma Luehmann next weekend in New Jersey at Aunt Rena’s opening. Can’t wait!

You’re taking a nap now. I might join you. 🙂 I love you to pieces!!