Summer Vacation

The Holy Transfiguration Skete in Eagle Harbor, MI

The lovely gardens at the monastery

Another view of the monastery

Matthew in the garden

Nicklas and Michael in the garden

Luke and Brendan

Nicklas and Michael, Luke, Brendan, and Matthew

Stephen and Kira

Lake Superior from the monastery garden

Luke in the garden

A rose trellis in the garden

Jacob's Falls near the monastery

Brendan exploring the Falls

Luke contemplating them

Matthew cautiously climbing in

Luke, Brendan, and Nicklas at Quincy Mine in Hancock, MI with their cousins Joshua and Annabel

Luke, Michael, Nicklas, and Brendan all decked out for copper mining

The fire truck at the Fourth of July Parade

A neat old car at the parade

Nicklas and Grandma watching the parade

Stephen exploring during the parade

Nicklas, Michael, Brendan, Luke, and Matthew on the shore of Lake Huron after we crossed the bridge to get to the lower peninsula of Michigan

The Bridge!

Papa-Great (Great-Grandpa Standfest) with Michael, Brendan, Stephen, Luke, Matthew, and Nicklas

Yesterday, Stephen figured out sitting up! He has a very creative way of doing it. He gets himself up on his hands and feet and then plunks himself backwards onto his bottom. He was sitting up very nicely when I started taking this picture but he saw the camera and wanted to get it.

This morning Stephen had his very first solid food, egg yolk. He wasn't too sure what to think of it and most of it came right back out, but some of it went down and he certainly wasn't upset about trying it. And we did get a cute "messy baby" picture!

Brendan, AKA The Flash!

 Luke at Swim Lessons

 Brendan at Swim Lessons

Stephen trying to climb on his friend Christopher, like he climbs on Brendan.
Christopher did not enjoy it as much as Brendan does.

The new stole I finished making for Michael. He wore it for an Ordination this weekend.

Stephen LOVES his big brother Brendan!

Luke and Brendan were passed out of level 1 in swim lessons yesterday - only halfway through the session! Yay!

Nicklas and Matthew holding two of Tinkerbell's kittens. Nicklas is holding Katzie, Matthew is holding Captain Hook. Her other three kittens are Wendy, Tootles and Tiger Lily. Matthew and Nicklas have claimed these two as their own.
Brendan and Luke are in swim lessons this week.
Stephen is growing like a weed and has just learned to blow raspberries - very exciting! He pulls himself around on his belly very well and is trying hard to figure out crawling. He has no trouble getting up on his hands and knees, but he can't quite figure out what to do from there. Sometimes he hops his legs forwards together which makes him look like a little frog. Sometimes he lunges forwards and face-plants on the floor.

Matthew's Baby Brother

Matthew has decided to be a great big brother and share his toys with his baby brother. He very gently holds Duplos up against my belly and tells me that it's "Bay-bee's turn!"