July is almost over. Natalie Jean was baptized on the 19th. It was nice, except Claire wasn't feeling well. Natalie's dress turned out nice and Evelyn will be wearing it when she is baptized also.

Last Wednesday Kim, Alair and I went to Chicago and Indiana. We stayed one night in Chicago and met Jennifer Swedberg for supper. She suggested the Wilde Restaurant. Named after Oscar Wilde. It was an Irish pub and the food was very good. Kim found a non-alcoholic beer he really liked and ordered a second one. That never happens. The next day, Emily and Andy joined us and we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Alair loved it. She walked the whole time without complaining. Friday, we went to Michigan and St. Joseph. Alair loved playing in the sand. When we got back we had Pizza with Marty. Very good, evev though Andy dropped one of them in the parking lot. Saturday we went to Amish stores. I love Yoder's Dept. Store. So much fabric and patterns. Sunday, we went to The Fiddlers Hearth for lunch. Irish and very good again. Supper was at Kimber and Jason's. Kabobs--very good again. Alair had a blast with an earth ball. Monday, home.

Aubrey, Claire, Natalie and Allison are coming tomorrow. Louise is giving a shower for Chtistine and Andy on Saturday. Aubrey also has to get her dress fitted on Friday.

The 4th of July was a lot of fun and very busy. I baked 40 dozen cookies for James Bros. Construction for their party they have every year. Kim donated half of them. We went to the parade in Elysian and Alair got too much candy again. Louise and Al had a bar-be-que and then we went for a nice pontoon ride before dessert and fireworks. Sunday we were all dragging.
I;m now sewing Natalie's baptism dress and it looks really nice. I've got a lot of things to sew in the next two weeks.
I;m getting excited to go to Indiana in a couple weeks.
Alair and I are meeting Louise in Elysian for breakfast this morning so I can get her the list for Christine's shower. There was some question as to if we were even having the shower. She now decided we are.

Well, I've heard from Apple a couple times since she left. Ireally do miss talking with her about things that are the same and different in our cultures. Most of the time we realized that people are the same no matter where they are from.
I was asked to sew three sashes for the Elysian royalty this year. Miss Elysian gets crowned this week. Their big celebration is on the 4th. I'm also sewing a baptism dress for Natalie. I decided to sew some doll clothes for Claire so she gets something a baptism also. I'm trying out the pattern on Alair's doll. I haven't heard from James's if they want me to bake cookies for their party on the 4th yet.

Well, we have Bullhead Days this weekend. Miss Waterville coronation tonight and fireworks. We hope to go down town after the pageant and get Apple some bullheads. It's her only chance to eat the delicacy as she leaves tomorrow morning.

Aubrey ,Claire, Natalie and Allison are coming for the weekend. Allison had a car accident Wednesday. She and Milo are ok but the car was totalled. We'll have to see what insurance does. The other driver had a suspended license and ran a stop sign.

Bible school is done for another year. Hopefully next year goes better--separation anxiety,refusing to sing....

Last weekend was a lot of fun. It was very noisy and hectic, but great. The wedding was pretty, but the groom didn't smile once,not during the reception either. Can't figure that one out. Dam Days parade was good. Claire and Alair discovered the joys of parade candy. The only problem was the weekend was too short.

I got all the wood work varnished and the bathroom painted. I ordered curtains and have pictures to hang.

Apple's farewell party is today. Just a few friends she made this year and some family. I'm making some of her favorite foods. She's hoping to find saur kraut in an American super market her boy friend found in Thailand?!?!

Next week is Bullhead DAys in Waterville. Busy, busy.

Candy from Lutheran Social Services came yesterday to go over things for foster care. This time we get to be finger printed! WE signed a lot of things and still have more to do and sign. The next couple of weeks will be hectic, so Candy said she would come back when we are ready. Allison and Chris are coming tonight for the week end. Will be fun!

Erik graduated from Alex Tech last night!!! We are finished with fafsas and tuition until Alair gets there. I have a lady from LSS coming Wednesday about Crisis Nursery. Yeah, we're probably getting back into it. Today we go to German Lake church for their annual spring salad luncheon. Louise and Karen will be there. It's always good food and ususlly entertaining. Next weekend Christine's aunt is giving her a shower. We have to bring underwear for a game!?!?!?