Jackson's buddy Lauren

wow...what a week. I am not sure what we are going to do with ourselves this next week. Jackson and I had visitors from mn for 12 whole days. My niece lauren and my mom came out on July 3rd via the train and they just left today. Lauren was such a big help...if she wasn't entertaining and playing with Jackson, she wanted to hold Avenlea, or play SKIPBO. It was so much fun to have her and to see what an incredible little lady she is becoming. Avenlea rested very nicely, as you can see in her cousins arms... When lauren wasn't helping with the kids we were coming up with things to do. She got to pick raspberries right in our backyard. This summer we found we have wild black raspberries in our easement. delicious. We made raspberry cream pie and raspberry syrup for pancakes. YUMO!!
She got a lesson from Adrian and then she was on her own. They had a contest on who could pick more. however Adrian stole hers and put them in his bowl so he could win. right lauren? We also entertained ourselves with a trip to the zoo in south bend for Jackson's therapy.
lauren pulled him around in a wagon and told him who all the animals were. We fed the fish and went in the petting zoo...to brush the goats. It was a great day that was a perfect temperature.
then we had play time in the pool.....cold at first but jack got use to it...he wanted to be like lauren. as i am typing this he is saying hi to lauren and waving at the screen. this boy is going to miss her. we also went to the park and took macy on walks...her and macy became quite good buddies too. on thursday we headed to amish country. to eat at the Essenhaus. Lauren enjoyed homemade chicken noodle soup and of course peanut butter...amish style. Then we headed to shipshe...to the carousel and the little stores. Jackson wasn't sure of the carousel...,but lauren enjoyed. Lauren taught Jackson so many things...the cutest was how to play the drums...she showed him how to tap them together and say 5, 6, 7, 8...then drumming. it is adorable. I think we have a future musician on our hands.

On Saturday the rest of the crew joined us as Jeremy and Sara came out to see Avenlea and to pick up their little girl that I think they missed a great deal. It was great to be able to take a pciture of all the grandkids. Here is the five of them. Jackson is quite outnumbered.
to say the least we had a very busy week...and thanks to my mom i have a very clean house with my laundry all caught up and clean window. So I am feeling pretty good.

on a Jackson note: we are cutting a massive amount of teeth..and so far he is not a drooler...and really isn't except on certain occasions....like tonight. we have three molars, two eye teeth and the tooth right next to the front two...all coming in at the same time...poor kiddo.