Originally, my brilliant plans for this summer included coercing Mom to let my younger sister Sheryl come out for the WHOLE summer and live with us.  She could get a job driving combine for a local harvest crew, we could put her up in our guest bedroom, and I could get all the free babysitting my heart desired.  Just kidding.  Or am I?.....

   Long story short the master plan didn't exactly come to fruition.  But she DID get to come out for a two-week visit, which is CERTAINLY better than nothing.  I had to share her with my other sister living out here of course, but it worked out rather nicely, because Shannon had her for a week while we were in Hawaii, and then shortly after we got home we hosted her for the 2nd week.  It all worked out rather nicely.

   She even had a birthday while she was out here so naturally, bunny breakfast pancakes were in order and we threw a little joint party (joint parties forever!) for her and my niece Elissa, as their birthdays are one day apart.  We did the math, and apparently she turned 17, although I can't seem to wrap my mind around that, because than that means that I am turning 29 next month and not 23, which I seem to be eternally, mentally, forever frozen at.





   My streamers all fell down in the wind and I have no idea what story Randy is telling but it looks like a funny one.

   Unfortunately, the girls took a little time to warm up as they always do, but once the ice was broken they were in deep and there was no turning back.  They dearly love their auntie! And I just love this picture of them together.

  Sheryl, 

   Thank you for your patience with their million questions and book requests and constant jabber.  Thank you for flying out here all by yourself to see your Oregon family, and for taking the time and exerting the energy to get to know your nieces!  I am so grateful for every chance I get for my children to get to know my family better.  Visits are a rare and precious thing, and I never want to take a single one for granted!  I loved hearing all about high school drama, and banquet dresses and volleyball and life in Kalona.....I miss so much from back home and you make me feel young again.  So thanks again (and again and again) for coming out, and I will already be plotting our many adventures and escapades for next summer.  Ha.

Love you, sis.