Anna Grows

Anna, Aunt Mary & Aunt Loren It was an All American July 4th weekend - complete with barbecues, parades, and fireworks.  As a special treat, Aunt Loren and Aunt Mary came down from New York to join in the July 4th festivities with Anna. Enjoying ice cream with Aidan at the July 4th parade After a week of what seemed like monsoon season, Washington returned to its hot and humid July self.  The festivities began July 3 (after a massive downpour) with the neighborhood block party.  The highlight for Anna was the moonbounce.  The party ended with bang for Theresa and Joe after witnessing a Chevy suburban full of teenagers (including a new driver) run into a parked car....and leave the scene.  Theresa and Anna walked back to the scene about 15 minutes later only to find the teenagers parking nearby.  After Theresa confronted them and the girl confessed, she left a note for the owner of the vehicle.  The next day, Theresa located the owner to ma...

Anna & Sarah after Anna's big win Tonight was Anna's first swim meet as a member of the Division II Lakevale Dolphins.  After watching a couple of other meets and weeks of practice, she decided tonight was the night she was going to go for it.  She was quite nervous at first, but the coaches got her focused.  More importantly, she had an eye on winning a ribbon and informed one of the neighbors that she was going to win her race. Mom and Dad were nervous as well - especially Mom who still has vivid memories of last year's Mini-D meet in which Anna was the only kid crying on the side who refused to swim.  Clearly that was SO last year as tonight Anna marched up to the starting line in Lane 1 for her freestyle swim, complete with "Lakevale Dolphin" tattoos on each shoulder (very intimidating).  Mom and Dad were hoping she would make it across the pool.  Clearly all those practices paid off.  Not only did Anna make it across the pool......she ca...