Hello, August! (July Recap, Part 1)

Wow, what a blur July was! I didn't manage a single blog post.  Didn't get to read many of my usual blogs either.  Didn't participate in my regular online challenges or scrapbooking classes.  All because I was having lots of fun "in real life"!

July started off quietly enough with a 4th of July celebration at home with our neighbors. I baked my usual Martha Stewart blueberry pie, and my husband smoked chicken and ribs.

Mmm, pie!

A few days later, I headed to a scrapbooking retreat in Kentucky where I met up with some fabuous women I have "known" for several years, but had never met in real life. What a fun weekend! Good company, good food, beautiful setting, and of course, lots of crafty time.  I managed to finish my December Daily (finally!), create a mini-album of my May trip to Tennessee, and make eight 2-page LOs and four 1-pagers. Phew! Eventually I will scan and post some of my favorites!

Hard at work!

The group shot, not sure which camera to look at!

The day after I got home, my family descended upon us! My brother, sister-in-law, and two nieces were visiting from California, so they came to Connecticut with my parents for a quick overnight visit.  We enjoyed a boat ride along the CT shoreline and a yummy seafood dinner.

My niece Elena and me

They headed back to CA a few days later, but my oldest niece stayed behind for an extra three weeks so she could enjoy some quality time with grandma & grandpa (and me!). After a few days at my parents, she came back to Connecticut with me. We went to see the midnight screening of Harry Potter on opening day (even though I had only just read the first book and had no clue what was going on! Am I a good aunt or what?!!). Also managed to squeeze in a nice afternoon at the town beach and a sushi dinner. Heck, we even managed to have fun at the dollar store!

A few days later, my mom returned, and the three of us embarked on a week-long road trip to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and DC, but I will save the details of that trip for an upcoming post! Until then, I'm looking forward to catching up on all of your blogs!