This one's for you, Dad.

I promised Dad that I would post the happy news as soon as I could so that he could show his newest grandchild off at work...

I am so proud to announce that my brother's first child was born yesterday. Andrew and Rachel kept us in suspense until the final moment when we met their son in person.

He is Liam Joseph Bosworth.

He is 7 pounds, 5 ounces and measures 21 inches.

Doesn't Rachel look great after a 17 hour, no pain killer delivery?

Dad and Mom are proud grandparents--and let's give a ya-hoo for a boy to carry on the wonderful Bosworth name.

His name honors both Andrew and Rachel's paternal grandfathers.

We were amazed how big Kate looked. She went into the hospital a tiny baby and came out looking like a giant compared to tiny Liam.

Joost and Grace were thrilled to meet their cousin. He is such a sweet baby and we are happy to have him as a part of the family. We praise God for his safe delivery and for Rachel's good health through it all. We pray that God will bless Liam's life greatly and bring him to Himself at an early age.

Front porch camping

Joost has been persistently asking since the beginning of spring (it didn't matter to him that it was still cold) when the first camping trip would be. I just kept saying, "Ask your dad." (I will confess here that I am not an enthusiastic camper--not even in my own back yard. My comfy bed calls too loudly.) Finally his father was consulted and it was decided that last night would be the night that the camping season would begin. We had a brand new tent to break out and everything. The plan was for the backyard, but the weather conspired against us.

But that didn't stop anyone from setting up camp--the shelter of the front porch was just as great a plan.

Five generations

Yesterday we had the joy of being able to visit my great Grandmother Willson. She was able to meet Kate for the first time, which was wonderful. She is 104 years old (no mistype...104 years old!) and we really cherish each visit we have with her. She lives 4 hours away, so our time with her is limited. Every visit, we try to take the "5 generation" picture (which is the one above. It includes great Grandma, Grandma Bosworth, Dad, myself and Joost, Grace and Kate) It's so amazing to still have her around, to hear her stories and to see her in such good spirits.

Our mothers

The little pink cape

I've been waiting to post this picture of Grace until I found the old pictures that I wanted to post a long with it. The cape Gracie is wearing is a cape that mom made for me when I was 4 years old. (The other two munchkins are my brother, Andrew, and my cousin, Julie.) We'll see if we can save the cape for Gracie's daughter, too.

Daddy loves me

Yankee Doodle Dandy

These are our friends, Rick and Marina. Rick threw a great party today to celebrate Marina's brand new American citizenship. She's been working long and hard to arrive at this point and we're all really glad that she did and that it's official. We are sad for Moldova and their great loss, but glad to have gained Marina.


And what a party it was! You'd have thought the 4th of July was being celebrated. There was enough red, white and blue to convince even an uninformed passer-byer that something very patriotic was going on inside the Allen's house. And, of course, there were all kinds of yummy all-American food. Rick was a grilling machine (I'm glad that America has perfected the art of backyard grilling and made it their own) and Amanda made some terrific apple pies. Really, what's more American than a hot dog and a slice of apple pie? There was even a rousing chorus, with participation by all party attenders, of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" lead by Lauren on the piano. Washington, Lincoln and the rest of their buddies would have been glowing.


However wonderful the rest of the party was, the greatest part of the party was, simply, being with such good friends. We are proud of you, Marina, and glad to call you one of our own!