2010-2011 1st Day of School Treat

Pick a Peck of Peaches and a Pumpkin!

On the last Wens of summer break the Phillips family invited us to go with them and pick peaches at Apple Hill Orchard after Mass. I had never picked peaches and was surprised by how easy it was. When we went in to pay of course we had to also buy a few apple doughnuts and we were treated to the smell of freshly baking peach pies. What a lovely morning it was. When I came home I decided to pick our 1st little pumpkin. We have a volunteer pumpkin plant (actually 4 plants) and this little guy was already ripe. There are 3-4 more pumpkins we are hoping will get a bit bigger before they ripen. Fall is in the air!

That Sounds Like a Waterfall?

Another memory filled trip to Michigan. This year Lily was able to join us and Grandpa was there. The fishing was great and each of the girls caught at least 1 keeper bass. Gary and the girls decided to go way up river and fish their way back down. We dropped them off and they discovered lots of trees blocking the river, a large number of shallow spots they had to get out and pull the boat over, and even a small waterfall they had to navigate over. They were gone about 5-6 hour and came back starving and exhausted but with lots of stories to tell and a few more fish to fry.

The Fest

I was determined that we would make it to the Cleveland Fest this year. I had heard so many people say what a great event it is. Unfortunately Colleen was not feeling well and Michelle had to work so just the boys and I went. The Starrs family and Marion Life Teen were there so we hung out with them. It was an amazing day of, music, faith, and fun. Matt Maher, The Afters and the Newsboys were there and there was lots of other things to do including the chance to have your hair painted which the boys obviously took advantage of. The highlight was an outdoor Mass under the stars with thousands of people. It was amazing!

State Fair

The kids and I had a chance to spend a day at the Ohio State Fair. My niece Samantha was is the State Fair Youth Choir so we went to hear them sing. Wow they were impressive. I had to laugh one of their songs was "To Everything There is a Season" which seems to be a message from God for me this summer. We also painted on the State Fair mural, saw the butter cow and had milkshakes, ran into Kyle Swartz. Aunt Ann and Evan and Sean, and hung out in the ODNR area which has always been my favorite part of the fair.

Lazy Hazy Days of Summer 2010

Summer is such a special time of the year and summer 2010 has been no exception. July memories include Ontario 4th of July fireworks, Colleen's friend Stephanie's visit, Colleen's trip to the Smith's beach house in North Carolina, the annual Rooney reunion at Maureen's and the next week-end a visit from Uncle Ray and cousin Rick from down south at Aunt Mary Ann's on Lake Cable, swimming with the Starrs at Brookside in Marion, a cook-out with the Starrs and a sleepover (campout was rained out) with the Starrs boys, painting and carpeting the family room, dinner and Phantom of the Opera in Cleveland with Granny, her friend Angie, Aunt Maureen, Hannah, Patty, Aunt Sue Rooney, the girls and I and lots and lots of reading! Ahhhhh summer if only it could go on forever...but of course then we would not appreciate it! 23 days of summer left to enjoy!