Snapshots of life

Hello, blog. It's me again. Your long-lost author. Yes, I know it's been a while since you've heard from me. I could offer some excuses, but since pictures speak volumes (and since I received a lovely new camera for my birthday), I'll share some recent moments instead:

I snapped this photo of my dear friend and her daughter at her sister's elegant April wedding. (Look at those pink cheeks!) It was a pleasure to spend the day celebrating with the bride (whom I've known since she was 11) and her family.

May was an eventful month for my family. My beautiful baby sister graduated from high school. Here she is on graduation day with her best friend. Graduations are always so bittersweet, aren't they? The closing of one door and the opening of another...  

Speaking of another, my brother also graduated from seminary in May. He'll begin work at a small congregation in Minnesota at the end of the summer. I am already missing him, his wife and their sweet little boy. I love this candid picture of him and his son.

My other brother and his wife are expecting an adorable (I can tell this without having seen her yet!) little girl at the end of August. Here's another of my adorable nieces, taken at my sister-in-law's baby shower in mid-June.

I planned games for our church picnic, also in June. Check out the attitude of these little ladies. This picture makes me laugh every time. Personality in spades.

During June, my family went on our biennial vacation. There are now 34 of us, which makes for some challenging planning. Never a dull moment, though. We spent a few days in Minnesota: biking, swimming and riding the alpine slide.

A few of my siblings and their families had an impromptu swimming and canoe outing to celebrate July 4th. It was the perfect way to chill out in 100 degree temperatures. (Ay, caramba!) My little nephew loved playing in the cool mud of the creek bed.

Feel better, blog? I haven't forgotten you. I'll write again soon, I promise. :)
P.S. Happy birthday, America!