July 2011

June went by in an emotional blur, so July is when we felt like our summer actually started.  And boy was it a full month!

 Carlos and Maria love to help Daddy build things!

 Isn't she sweet?! 

 Yes, if this photo reminds you of Spider Man you are correct - our son is part spider.

 We celebrated Carlos' Family Day (July 18th) this year by just staying at home!  (Carlos' Family Day is the day when we officially became a family of three.  We celebrate it each year by doing things that he would like to do, eating things that he would like to eat, and by giving him a gift or two that is from Guatemala.) It was a very hot day (and we do not have air conditioning throughout the house) but I did manage to cook up his favorite breakfast of chocolate pancakes!  The day consisted of having drawing time with Daddy, playing checkers (Carlos' favorite game), eating, watching a movie, and eating some more.  For dinner he really wanted tamales, so we ordered some from a local Mexican restaurant and I whipped up some Guatemalan rice to go with it.  We added a side of refried black beans and some tortilla chips - YUM!!

Kevin was scheduled at library shows up in Traverse City and in Leland, so we all went together as a family to spend two days up there.  We had a beautiful time together, walking along a river, enjoying historic Fish Town in Leland, taking a scenic drive through The Sleeping Bear Dunes, walking part way up the Dune climb, and eating at our favorite pizza parlor in downtown T.C.!

 This is the women's bathroom at the pizza place I mentioned in downtown Traverse City.  It was the most spectacular bathroom I've ever been in; I think it literally took my breath away for a second.  So I just had to go back in and take some pictures!  (Although they don't do it justice I'm afraid.  You just have to be surrounded by the 360 degree scene to fully appreciate it!)  If our bathroom at home looked like this, I don't think I'd ever leave!

Kevin had another library show in Traverse City earlier in the month, and this time we went camping for four nights at the state park, and my (Stephanie's) parents came too!   We had such a great time.  We did so much biking!  Carlos biked seven miles right along with Kevin and I one afternoon!