Beginning of July

 After Grandma left we sort of floundered for a few days until we realized the cardinal rule of having 4 children- get out of the house.  We learned quickly that the coolest place we could be was the car, and having all 4 kids strapped down and out of reach of each other (for the most part) was a bonus.
   Tyler had just finished classes after 2 solid years of stress, so we decided to have a bit of fun and celebrate having free time and a baby out of a body.
     Our first adventure was the drive in theater.  We loaded up on popcorn and treats, stuffed all our soft pillows and blankets in the back of the truck and went to "Inside Out".

 Tyler said that this was the most fun he has had in Pittsburgh.  It was a ton of fun, but then when I realized that all he has to compare it to is writing papers, going to lectures, rotations and the Zoo, I wasn't super surprised.

 Quinn filled up on popcorn and cookies before the movie began and fell asleep on Daddy about 1/4 of the way through the movie.

 Alex and Heidi had taken a peanut butter jar and caught fireflies in the bushes while we waited for the movie to start, I think they had about 47 or so before they decided to set them free.

 I think Tommy is adjusting to life with us.  He sleeps a lot still.

 Quinn is a force to be reckoned with.  We really have to plan our days around getting her out of the house.  Lately this has been a one on one walk where she gets to choose every turn we make.  She is an ambitious leader and isn't afraid of walking up 6 flights of steps.

 The beginning of July we made our annual trip to a blueberry patch to pick berries for our annual blueberry pie - a tradition in it's second season.

 Quinn is obsessed with blueberries so this was for her, she moderately cared.  But in her defense it was about 500 degrees outside and we were all dripping sweat.

 But no one quite like Daddy who has begun his turn at having the furnace strapped to his body.  I picked berries while he caught butterflies for the kids- and was a fantastic sport about the whole thing I might add.

 Reilly's Summer Seat farm is where we went and it was an adorable little place.

 The pie was delicious, thanks to these big helpers.

 The fourth of July we had sort of a lazy day before heading to the Cochran's for a picnic and firework watching.

 It was a wonderful time.  The kids entertained themselves on the trampoline almost the entire time, and the adults got to sit and chat and eat and it was wonderful.

 The Shaler city firework display was set off across the street and down the hill from our picnic and so we had the best seats in town.  Quinn was in awe and possibly horror from the lights and sounds.  She sat mesmorised with her hands over her ears.  When I covered her ears for her, she moved her hands to her mouth.  Tommy cried.

This sort of sums up life with Quinn these days.  Be on your toes.... or else.

July 11th marked Tommy's one month on earth anniversary and Tyler's white coat graduation ceremony!  Here he is holding his prize.

The girls have LOVED having Daddy around all the time, and I have LOVED having my husband back.

Grandma and Grandpa Brady were able to come out for the occasion and spend a few days.  The kids were of course in heaven.  Tommy squeaked the entire ceremony.  It was great seeing all Tyler's friends and meeting their families and having an official end of it all.

It seems that whenever we have family come visit, someone ends up in the hospital.  The Brady's arrived just in time for Tyler and I to take Tommy to and ENT on Friday because of his constant noisy breathing, and then all day Sunday they watched the kids while we were at the hospital getting an MRI and scope to check him out.  Bilateral vocal chord paresis. More on that later.

Every home should come equipped with one of these chairs, complete with story reading grandpa.  The kids favorite part of the visit- hours of stories with Grandma and Grandpa.

Quinn's favorite part of the graduation.... cookies and melon and running around on the yard with Grandpa afterwards.