Summer Vay Cay

For a while, it seemed we were keeping up with a blog every couple of weeks. Apparently we fell off that wagon. With a couple weeks off for vacation in Wisconsin, Amy finishing up her Residency, and Avery unloading new tricks on us, we pretty much have forgotten to do anything else, blogging included. So, the news: Amy is DONE with Residency, praise the Lord!! Having her at home for more than 2 waking hours a day is lovely for everyone. Yes, she'll start work in another 2 weeks, but the break has been wonderful.

Just after the 4th of July weekend, we packed up and headed home to see the family and enjoy some R & R. While we were there, we got to meet Joseph (of the Bluhm clan),saw a plethora of friends, had some QT with both families,

and spent a week at Amy's grandmother's place on Plum Lake near Minoqua.

While we were there, Avery decided it was time to learn how to crawl and stand up on her own, both within a couple days. Of course her standing has been exclusive to a crib setting, where she can easily pull herself up. The first time she stood up (that we know of) Amy had gone upstairs to help calm Avery down for a nap. I remained downstairs with the baby monitor sitting nearby. After a few minutes of relative calm, I heard a breathy whisper over the monitor: "Marty, if you can hear me, come upstairs and see this". I walked upstairs to our room and saw this:

Guess we weren't ready for a nap just yet. But the week turned out great; plenty of boating, golfing, sleeping in (to about 5am), eating, and relaxing. Good vaycay.

I came home directly without Amy and Avery (whose nickname has morphed to 'Tatemo') to do some home improvement by replacing our kitchen counters and sink. That sounds like a much smaller job than it actually was, but I did have a functional sink installed when the ladies came home one week later. Now I'm finishing up the tilework and other miniscule details, like getting the dishwasher to work. Ahh. Home, sweet home.