July Condensed

Sorry for the late posting but it appears that Google has made some changes to BlogSpot. I think the only way to get videos on your blog is to post them somewhere else like youtube and then link the videos. Sorry but I don't want my 2 year old on youtube, so until I figure something else out all you get is pictures. Believe it or not I have had this posting completed for over a month just waiting to get videos to run, but I have given up and know that my readers demand more pictures.

We started our month with what appears to be our new annual tradition of going to Rufus Grandma's for the 4th of July weekend and meeting Ed, Anna Beth, and kids in Blacksburg for the 4th for a walk of campus and a parade. We are working up to fireworks at night but I think it will still be a few years before we are ready for that.

Mom joined us this year. So here they are in front of iconic Burruss Hall. (left to right) Tad, Rufus, Andy, Ed, Lil Rufus, Matthias, Anna Beth, Mom.

Mom took one with me in it this year.

Of course we had to stop at Randolph Hall (home of VT's Mechanical Engineering department or Rufus' home away from home for 4 years). Can't complain much it does pay the bills.

Here are the Rufii at the parade. We were in a perfect spot in the shade until one of the horses couldn't hold it any more. That was about half way through and we were down wind. Yuck!

Not that I am an evil Mommy but the opportunity never really presented itself to give Lil Rufus a lollipop. Well while we were at the parade. Tad did a very good job to make sure Lil Rufus got some candy, too since he couldn't run out and grab it like the rest of the kids. So we gave Lil Rufus his first lollipop on the 4th of July. The above picture is of him with it in his hand.

Camping on the river was crazy. It was in the 50's at night and high 80's or low 90's during the day. We got to wear all kinds of outfits. Here is two pictures that I think illustrate our time camping perfectly. Here the boy is like a total redneck hanging out with no shirt during the hot day.

And here the boy is in Granny's camper watching tv early in the morning in his sweatshirt. Crazy isn't it!

Then we dropped Daddy at the airport and headed to Babcia's house. We had a great time swimming in Babcia's big pool and even got a visit from the Kozusko cousins.

I don't think Rufus and I ate at the table until Lil Rufus was born. Now that is the only place we eat. Lil Rufus may have snacked in front of the tv but he normally has to sit at the table to eat, but Babcia treated him to Chinese in his high chair in front of the tv. Leave it to my family to teach them young to eat in front of the tv.

I had to start getting ready for the baby shower as soon as we got home. We had a pretty good turn out about 21 with kids. I made a diaper wreath for the parents to be. They are having a little girl if you can't tell from all the pink.

Here was our little decorated section. We didn't do a whole lot. I figure people would rather have a bigger gift. One of the ESAB wives, Denise, made the cake (she made the cake for my shower too). It is a rubber ducky and some blocks. The favors were baby bottles with pacifier candies inside and yes, I made that sign with my own two little patties. It is hard to see but it is a clothes line with tiny little pink clothes pins and cut out pink onesies that say "It's A Girl!"

Here are a few of us hanging out around the house and town. Daddy and son sharing a swing.

Lil Rufus pushed the buggy all the way through Walmart while we were grocery shopping the other day.
This picture is Lil Rufus talking on the phone. Not pretending, Babcia is actually on the other end.