August 1: Kailyn, Connor, Alsu, and a few other kids playing in gravel at my 20-year high school reunion

They were all having fun taking turns getting buried in gravel!

Brianna and Leah, Heidi and Trevor's youngest, at Mika's parents' house afterwards. Leah was fascinated by having someone there smaller than her -- and by her toys!

Cute little girls

Don, Jeff, and Trevor looking at pics of Jeff and Mika's trip to London

Trevor and Brianna

Another pic of Trevor and Brianna

Back row, L to R: Sarah (Heidi and Trevor's), Kailyn, Alsu (Mika and Jeff's). On the sofa, L to R: Vanya (M&J), Timothy (on Vanya's lap -- also M&J), Connor, Gabe (H&T), Anna (H&T), Leah (on Anna's lap, also H&T), and Caleb (H&T). Brianna missed the pic, unfortunately, because she was napping -- but she needed it so badly we didn't dare wake her up!

Trevor, Heidi, Mika, Jeff, me, and Don

Kailyn and Alsu (who both said they didn't want to play with someone too "girly" and were relieved to find the other also considered herself a tomboy) playing dollhouse. *grin*

Roiya playing with Brianna

We gave Roiya a monster-building kit for her birthday, and she was nice enough to let Kailyn build a monster too

Roiya covering Brianna with a blanket. She's just like a living doll!

Brianna, Greg, and Roiya

Kids playing pick-up sticks with dad

August 2: Brianna playing

Brianna holding the toy shark Grandma Gail gave her

I love my shark!

August 8: Brianna

Cute smiley girl

Throwing her arms open

Playing peek-a-boo

August 10: Sunny the mourning dove

She flew into the north-facing reading nook window and knocked herself silly. Rather than let her sit on the extremely hot metal roof for too long, I brought her down and put her in the shade on the front porch.

Makeshift nest. Fortunately she didn't show any obvious permanent damage, and she flew off after a couple of hours -- she had us worried since it took so long, though.