Summer of a Lifetime - Part 1

Summer 2013 started with the annual summer stops at my sisters' homes to visit the nieces and nephews. This summer was a little different, as both of my sisters had a baby in the Spring. So I got to meet the newest members of the Stuetz clan -- both of whom are so adorable!

First stop was Columbus, OH to visit the Thompsons. I spent about 6 days with the Thompsons -- took Nate Dawg to swimming lessons, helped the Duke with the garden, met Burrito Ben, and had a grand time laughing it up with Emma Bean. We went on our third annual trip to the Bunny Fountains in Dublin. The first year we went, Nate would not let go of me and hung on for dear life because he was so afraid of them. But this year, he finally got into it and was running like a crazy man through the water!

Stop #2 -- Melanie's third annual dance recital. It is really cool to see how much more comfortable she is on the stage now than she was three summers ago. Duke came down to the Ohio and drove me back home to NY.  After the dance recital, my mom and I drove back to Liverpool for Father's Day weekend. Duke and I spent Saturday morning hauling compost all over the yard. On Father's Day I went to church at the single's branch in Syracuse that my dad is the in the branch presidency of. Can I just say how grateful I am for my wonderful YSA ward in Minneapolis?? That evening the whole Torres clan came over for dinner.

Stop #3 -- Rochester, NY to hang out with the Torres clan and their newest edition Baby Brianna. We went to the Children's Museum one day and Chimney Bluff State Park for a nice hike another. 

Sesame Street

Just chillin' with the Bernstein Bears!

Its such a blessing to have my summers off from work so that I have time to visit my nieces and nephews and actually have relationships with them. It is so fun to see how they learn and grow each year! They all have such unique and adorable personalities!!!