Summer from the 4th on...

Whew! I am sitting here tonight thinking about how much we've packed into this summer and how far behind I've gotten on blogging. And, thinking about how wonderful it is that I'm behind on the blogging because these boys are ALL running wide open!

Everyone was well by the time we left for the coast trip on July 6th. Our friends Pat and Annabel shared their lovely home with us and we soaked up everything there--the beach, the bay, bicycle rides on the canals, Souvenir City, golf with the pirates, go carts, boiled shrimp. Had good visits with our Rowe cousins and cousin Patty.

We returned to a much cooler house than the day we left. And, a happy hamburger-eating Willie. Turns out that old Willie did his job by not letting anyone in the yard, including our nice AC man--that is until he went home and had his wife make homemade hamburgers. Mr. Hayes had no problem the rest of the week after he paid his hamburger fee at the gate.

Parker has loved the two trips with the Natural History Museum. Tubing and caving. I think I would be a nervous wreck if I'd been on the caving trip --bats and squeezing through very small spaces. Hearing more and more from Parker on the guitar. In addition to "Blowin' in the Wind," we now have "Locomotive Breath," "Stand by Me," and "Lodi." Neil has finished up his first year at Rise and will move up to the 3 year old class in a couple of weeks. Really good year for him there. The new word of the week is "happy." He loves to say it and we love to hear it. Henry so proudly "washed" the new soap Farmer Sue gave him at the Farmer's Marker yesterday. He was standing at the sink with me yesterday doing very well washing the okra, squash, and corn until I looked over and he was pouring dish detergent all over them. We had lots of good, clean vegetables for dinner last night. Dad has enjoyed some good walks this Summer with Willie and Lucy. They are quite a sight--7lb. Lucy and 70 lb. Willie. I promise to get a picture of this soon.

All the boys have loved the University pool this Summer and Henry and Neil are both much bolder in the water.

The end July we had a great trip to Tunica. Granddaddy, Aunt Susan, Rachel greeted us upon arrival in our beloved Oxford which was very special. Uncle John cooked wonderful burgers for our spontaneous cookout with lots of "the other Dulaneys."
Aunt Susan suited us all up in Japanese yukatas from her recent trip to Japan.

Aunt Marian, Uncle Tom, and Alley are en route back to the South as I write to make their new home in Hattiesburg. We are looking forward to Amtracking it between here and there!
Welcome home!

A little funny dream I had night before last. Neil was holding my hand and he was holding a balloon (helium) with a string attached. I let go of his hand and he floated up--just like Winnie the Pooh trying to be a rain cloud. I panicked. How in the heck was I going to get him down? I spend a lot of time trying to fatten him up. Maybe I'm a bit anxious about that?!!