July: Joe Bird, RN

We are so proud of Daddy! Not only did he graduate with honors, he (despite all the fun summer distractions) studied for and passed the NCLEX on his first try. Way to go Joe!

We had a little celebration on July 19th - the day we found out Joe passed:







Next up - finding a job. Anybody need a nurse??

July: Dance Parties

We had a few dance parties in the kitchen:





While Papa and Joe fought over who was doing the dishes:



and sometimes, Leah had her own dance parties. She doesn't even need music:


For those of you that don't know - Leah has been doing this "dance" since she was about 5 1/2 month old. She dances to music, to her own noises, to other people's singing, and just to get other people to wag their heads back and forth with her.

July: Pink Polka-Dot Girls

Nanny bought all the granddaughters matching outfits. Aren't they sweet?!











Like father, like daughter:






Just a few more:

July: Everyone comes to Scituate

July brought the Birds, the Speiers and a Bowker together for a few weeks of total awesomeness.
By the 4th of July, we were all together (except Luke, who came a few days later) and got to meet Baby Abigail Grace Bird for the first time. What a beautiful, happy baby she is!! And doesn't she just have the best hair!!??



Despite a few fevers and colds, everyone had a wonderful time eating fantastic food, enjoying the beach and playing games. There were many memorable moments, but I think a few of my favorites were: the boys' polish horseshoe games in the rain, flip cup late at night (where Stevie and the girls dominated), and invisible circle of death. Bang Bang.












Wobsters!!!!

June: Wedding weekend

On June 26th my cousin, Marie Smillie, got married to Mr. Tim Cantu. It was a lovely, lovely day and fun was had by all. Her wedding Mass was at this gorgeous church and her reception was at a beautiful pre-revolutionary war property.


Leah had a blast hanging out with these two cousins!








Leah with the Beautiful Bride!!


Too Cute: Franny and Stephen

Sleepy Jane

The next day everyone visited at the Dillon's and then the Smillies:



When we got home Sunday night, Leah crashed. It was an exhausting weekend...

June: The visitors begin to arrive

The end of June brought the fist wave of summer visitors to the Bird House. My parents and my three youngest sisters made their way out east for my cousin Marie's wedding and, that same week, Allie and the girls arrived from Arizona for their Scituate summer. The Thursday before the wedding, I stole my family away for a relaxing beach day before the busy weekend. We had a great visit and I'm pretty sure all of my siblings took a plunge in the ocean, which was freezing that day. Molly even jumped off of little Parachi.








Joe is obviously loving all the girls!



Molly and Kate were thrilled to get to see the Bird's house in the summertime and had fun comparing their thanksgiving visit with this summertime visit. And Meg was happy to finally see Scituate after hearing all the wonderful things about it. It was a wonderful day, complete with outdoor showers and fried shrimp po' boys. My only disappointment was that my Dad couldn't join us as he was still back in Wisconsin working.