A Fun-Filled Week

While leaving our home and "family" of 7 years in Maryland was hard, this summer has once again confirmed in my heart how glad I am to be closer to family here in Lancaster County. Being able to see family so frequently has been such a blessing...not only our immediate families, but aunt, uncles, cousins and great grandparents too. The familiarity of this region brings that distinct feeling of "home" to me.

This past Wednesday was another wonderful example. Our mortgage/financial planner, Ken Pederson, made tickets to the Lancaster Barnstormers available, and so Pete, Natalia and I went with my parents to the baseball game that night. What fun!

Mom and Dad came over for dinner beforehand. We grilled up some steaks with mushrooms and a burgundy sauce, scalloped potatoes and salad, topped off by my first attempt at sour cherry pie. Needless to say, my stomach was happy! Then we headed into Lancaster for the night. What a beautiful evening it turned out to be. Humidity/temps were relatively low and the skies were clear. Natalia got to shake hands with "Cylo," the Barnstormers big red furry cow mascot. She kept asking "Where's Cylo?" all night long. And she would enthusiastically shout, "Hit the ball guys!" and "Awww, good try." :-P

This coming weekend we'll celebrate Natalia's 2 1/2 birthday. We've decided to celebrate her special day at the 1/2 way mark--December is just too crazy for our family with the soon-to-be 3rd birthday added to the week of Christmas! Last year had her dazed and confused.

So today I was being industrious in the kitchen. Just call me Betty Crocker!
I decided to go with a ladybug theme since she just loves her ladybug pj's. I'll have to post a picture later of the cupcakes I made today...hopefully I'll remember to snap a shot before they're all eaten.

Then on Monday my whole family is going to the Zoo. Still undecided if it will be the Washington or Philadelphia Zoo. Either way it looks to be a fun day.

And since it's currently raining tonight, it looks like our fireworks plan for this evening are capoot. Oh well, I think I could find a comfy spot on the couch with a book.

HAPPY 4th EVERYONE!