PA trip, the first days

One of the first activities the girls did was draw pictures for Ben's cousin, Collin, who is serving in Iraq. Aunt Carmella was putting together a care package for him and thought it would be wonderful to have pictures from the girls. They really enjoyed doing that and I think Collin will love them. I am very grateful that he is over there serving our country!

We got some really good pictures with Great Grandma Thomas, who turned 96 that week, that first full day. The kids were great and really gave her lots of hugs and love. We love seeing her every year! Here I am with my third child! :) Abby always becomes my third child when we are together. She is just so adorable. And of course she realizes that if Mom isn't around I'll do for awhile! :)





Okay, this is just a funny picture on it's own but I'll give some background anyway. Aunt Carmella and Uncle John got a puppy, named Ellie, just a few weeks before our visit. The girls all loved Ellie and for some reason decided that they needed to enter her cage. I think Abby is in there purely because Audrey is!

We also went blueberry picking that first day. That was really fun. I have never been blueberry picking before. I am not a huge blueberry fan but these tasted pretty good! The girls all helped fill up some plastic bins in the sweltering heat and then we headed home. These blueberries were then made into jam by Lori and I (also a first for me but Lori is a pro at making jam). I must say I really liked the taste of the jam. I was surprised at how much I liked it. I believe the blueberries were also put into a pie and later going to be in some muffins.