Asking for some prayers....
We are all (at least briefly- Patrick leaves tomorrow) in Henderson Harbor, enjoying a brief quiet time. It has been a busy and emotionally draining week. On Saturday my parents threw my brother and I a wonderful graduation party- lots of food, drinks, and friends and family. By the end of the day we even got a little sun.
On Sunday and Monday, members of my father's family all headed home to the Catskills to honor his step-mother, Florence, who passed away on July 3. Florence was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother (at latest count 15 great grandchildren!) and lived a rich and full life. We will miss her, and we are glad that we shared the joys that we did. She is buried in Youngsville, New York, next to her first husband Al Berberich. In one of those wonderful quirks of small town life (and death), their graves are immediately next to those of my grandfather and my grandmother (she passed away in 1968), Irv and Winifred Boxberger. So Florence is actually buried next to both of the men that she shared her life with.
Tuesday and Wednesday were nice days at the cottage- lots of fishing and playing and enjoying life.
This morning we got news that one of Mariel's preschool friends, Arianna is in the hospital in St Louis. Ari is in the process of being diagnosed with cancer, although it is not yet clear what stage the cancer is in. A difficult time for anyone, much less a 3 year old or her family. So if anyone has prayers or good wishes to spare, send them their way.

Noella's Baptism
Noella was baptized on Sunday, June 28 here at our local church. We were fortunate to have been able to have the baptism when many of our family was able to come- my parents, Patrick's parents, Patrick's two aunts (plus 2 of our many cousins) and my two aunts. Her godparents are Patrick's cousins Mia and Lee (we were glad that Lee has just started a new job, but sad that this made her unable to come for the event). Our guests braved the 90+ degree heat on Saturday morning to visit the St Louis Arch.
The baptism itself was quick busy- our church does group baptisms, and this month there were 7 children being baptized! Noella was surprisingly happy throughout the mass, ceremony, and even the Holy Water. She was also awake, which was a big change from our first baptism, when Mariel slept through the entire ceremony.

Now Mariel, Noella and I (with the wonderful assistance of Aunt Simone) will be heading to upstate NY for the "Finally PHinisheD" graduation party in honor of me and my brother. And up north we will stay until July 30!

Here are the official 6 months pictures.
With Puffalump:

Attacking Puffalump:

Trying to climb off of the bed:

And the girls screeching away:

Noella- 6 months
17 lbs and 7 oz (now "only" 50-75th percentile) and 27 inches tall (still 90th +). Her official portait to come if I manage to do it. This is not only her half birthday weekend, but is also her baptism weekend so we have lots of company on the way and a fun filled weekend ahead.

Bangs!

After months of Mariel growing her hair out, the bangs are back. This morning, when I asked her if she wanted me to pull her hair out of her face or cut it (our only two options, which we go through every morning), she replied:"Cut it." So we did.