Cleveland for the Weekend

 

At the end of July, Aunt Laura and Uncle Jean Marc came from France to the US for a visit.  We drove up to Cleveland to see them while they stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Tallers.

The girls were able to collect their pottery that they painted during Grandma Taller Camp 2012.  Annalise made this  nice  owl.

And they Olympics were still going on so we kept a close eye on synchronized swimming and women's power lifting.

On Saturday, Grandma and Grandpa took the girls to Put in Bay while JIm and I traveled east to Pittsburgh to visit a new little baby in a new family.  I made him this hat in the spirit of the Olympics.  Go USA!

Uncle JM and Aunt Laura finally rolled in from their fishing trip.  Evie taught JM all about what she knows of pool in basement.

Aunt Laura played games and brought them French presents.  It was a great visit!

Tree Fort!

Today was the day!  We have been talking and planning for this all summer and now was the time!

Why is this guy so excited?  Well, for one, the temperature outside was only 80 degrees instead of 100 and that meant it was prime tree fort building weather!

Of course, we had to eat the reinforcement donuts before most of the actual work got started.  At this point, the only thing that was done was hauling the wood to the back yard and arguing the position of the tree to the fort.

Oh, and I had laid out the soaker hose for a day or two to soften up the concrete ground.  Remember this summer when it never rained?  The ground was a little tough, but Jim dug those post holes like a champ.

At this time we also discovered that the grapevine had produced a bunch of tasty grapes.  That takes care of snack for the day.

Our friend, Nick, was in town this particular weekend and staying at the Taller Hotel.  We let him work off his rent by holding up floor joist while Jim screwed the frame together.  He even talked one of his friends into being a helper too.  Nick can come visit anytime. 

Wait a second, get back to work Nick!  This fort has a long way to go!

Shoring up the support on the tree.

Well, it looks like it will be strong enough.  We all helped getting the decking up there

I spent a good hour screwing the boards in to make sure it's nice and safe for our kids.

After much discussion about what was considered safe, Jim and Evie placed the rails on the fort at a precise height of "less than Annalise's head".  We don't want anyone rolling off in all the fun.

A few more safty rails and the ladder and it was almost done.

Then we installed the pulley salvaged from Grandpa's neighbor's falling down barn.  A new life for that pulley!

Look carefully to see that Evie wrote "kids Clubhouse" with chalk on the fort.

Our ladder that Mr. Glenn helped to build.

And the finished fort ready for some fun.  Thanks to all who helped.

Reunited and the Olympic Opening Ceremonies

Finally, what seemed like months of being alone, ended.  Paigie and Taylor returned from the lake!  Our summer could resume with all kinds of neighbor fun.

And neighbor fun including making a box village in our front yard .  Who needs fancy toys?

If no fancy toys, how about fancy tomatoes?  Red Zebras.  Pretty things from the Master Gardner plant sale.

And who is that fantastic broadcaster in front of the Tower Bridge?  Costas!  That can only mean one thing--Olympics and a theme meal.


Of course, we partied with the neighbors.  This was Beth's contribution.  ENGLISH muffin pizzas!  Get it?

I went the traditional English food route.  That means brown and bland.  I made Cornish Pasties.  They were ok if you like your food brown and bland.  Fortunately, our English friend was over in London so I broke into their house and stole some brown sauce.  It added enough taste to make them digestable.

We let the girls watch the opening ceremonies until about H in the parade of nations.  Then sent them to bed.

Because out in the driveway was our big weekend project!  Stay tuned

The Seiberts come to visit

Ok, trying to get things caught up.  Bear with me.

 

 

We were invited to dinner at our neighbor's house.  Since they are from India, I made everyone dress up in their finest.

 

 

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This is probably the only time you will see them both dressed in their full Bengali dresses.  Too bad too because they are super cute.  I donned one of my saris.  There are not enough occasions for me to break out a sari.  I'm thinking Christmas Eve Mass may have a little Indian spice to it this year.

 

 

 

The Seiberts came to visit back in July.

This one is the one that doesn't run yet so most of the pictures are of her.

And she still lets a crazy aunt do baby fountains to her hair.

The one time they all were in one place.  Pizza and ice cream.

We gave old what's her face an oreo.  Best Mom ever!

Old C really loves her big sis.

And I made these soleless baby sandals that look like watermelon wedges for her feet.  She better grow up quick before we think of other embarassing things to do to her.