Happy 28th Wedding Anniversary to Tom and Kathleen! We enjoyed our chocolate sin cake at Ruth Chris on our special day.

Well we finally reached our first real week of summer and it feels like it is half over(as noted by one of the family members). But we are just getting started!

Scott spent his first week off from school volunteering at Cub Scout camp. He started his day at 7:30am. I would drop him off at our local fairgrounds on the way to my work and then pick him up at 4pm when I got off.  And work slowed down a bit, so it fit into the schedule well. Scott was originally placed at the Fitness station and was not looking forward to spending the week watching a bunch of little boys play football out in the hot sun. So we asked to switch him to the STEM station. It was set up inside of the buildings, so he was out of the blazing sun. He enjoyed building catapults and shooting skittles across the room, making race tracks for spindle cars, weathervanes and finally producing plastic prosthetic hands with a 3 D printer with the young boys. He actually worked with  the volunteer that produces the prosthetic hands last fall with the boy scouts. Since Scott has had experience in the production, the supervisor made him a certified instructor. He is hoping to continue to be involved in the program, and perhaps bring the program into his school and work with his engineering class or the robotics club. The prostheses are sent to children overseas injured in bomb explosions. Scott enjoyed volunteering, but he is so happy to be done. And he earned volunteer hours towards high school graduation.

He was also happy with his report card that finally came out last week(and so were we). He was happy to hear that he did so well on his Engineering final that he actually earned college credit!. His weekend was just a busy as his week though. He spent Saturday completing his CPR certification and First Aid training for his job at the roller rink. And he spent Sunday afternoon working at the roller rink. Turns out it was a rather slow afternoon, and all the employees were given left over pizzas. After work, Tom dropped him off to a Birthday party. The boys went off to see Jurassic World.

 We picked him after the movie on our way back from dinner. Tom and I decided to celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary with dinner at Ruth Chris steakhouse in Annapolis. We had an incredible dinner and enjoyed the drive down through the historic district of our Capital along the harbor.Our anniversary fell on Saturday, and we decided to spend time with the kids. Allison was home from camp for the weekend(just barely).

Allison had quite the wilderness survival experience at Girl SCout camp last week. We have had some crazy weather lately-torrential downpours(3.5 inches total on Saturday alone). And a huge storm rolled through last Tuesday. It spawned some local tornados and knocked down quite a few trees at the GS camp. One huge tree was uprooted right next to Allison's cabin. The girls took shelter in the dining hall. Allison kept them distracted with lots of loud singing(I knew choir would come in handy!). The storm knocked out their power and water supply for 24 hrs. They were just getting ready to contact all the parents to come pick up the girls when the power returned. Allison was so happy to come home on Friday night and take a shower and sleep in a comfortable bed. She had been sleeping in her clothes in the air conditioned nurse's cabin a few nights since she was having trouble breathing. They had built a few fires indoors on the rainy nights in the fireplaces and it was a bit too smoky for her. On top of her allergies. The air conditioner seemed to ease her breathing. But by Sunday morning she was ready to head out for another (hopefully less exciting) 1/2 week.  She even managed to get out for a hair cut while doing all her laundry.

So we decided to go see the new Disney movie, INside Out. I couldn't stop laughing at the end when they describe what goes on in the minds of dogs and cats. It was spot on when thinking about Cookie and Pika. After the movie, we caught dinner out but the kids wanted to get home to pack and sleep.

Friday evening I picked Scott up from cub scout camp and stopped into get his haircut. We then picked up my mom and met Scott's girlfriend at  the YMCA for a BBQ and swimming. They also had square dancers entertaining but I couldn't get anyone to join them. We did all get into the big pool, but it was a bit cold for my mom and myself. We decided to stop into the smaller, therapeutic pool until the all the kids messed it up and then everyone had to get out! (think Caddy Shack). Oh well, it was nice while it lasted. I know my Dad would have loved to have joined us. Looks like he had a bit of a gout flare up in his hand though and I did not want mom trying to drag him around.

On Sunday it was my turn to get my hair cut and highlighted after church. I picked up my mom so she could join me for a wash and set. It pretty much took up our whole afternoon. But now I am ready for vacation! And I think the rest of our family is looking forward to this summer vacation.

Our family will be heading to Myrtle Beach to spend time with the Seitz clan. We are looking forward to time at the beach, deep sea fishing, horseback riding and boating. And spending time with all the Seitz family members!

Hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day! Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there. Scott, Tom and I enjoyed Sunday morning having brunch with my parents at their Sr apt. I gave my Dad a toy rubber band gun to shoot rubber ducks. He and mom had a good time(and so did we) taking shots at the ducks set up on the dining table. I also put Tom to work hanging a few more paintings in Dad's apt.

Afterwards, Tom , Scott and I went shopping for a new desk chair for Tom. Scott and I had picked one out for him at Staples on Saturday afternoon and surprised him with it on Sunday morning. I tried to pick out a leather chair with the highest back, but it still did not fit Tom well enough. So we decided to take him shopping for his own chair. He found one that he really likes, so he gave his old chair to Scott.

Tom also spent his Saturday replacing the fence poles. Unfortunately, my glass garden gazing ball was a victim of his repairs. Tom tried to move it out of the way before digging up the old pole and he slipped and fell down the small hill in our backyard taking the glass ball with him in a thousand pieces. Looks like I am getting a replacement ball for our anniversary next week.

Happy Father's Day Brunch with
  Rich and Carol Bozyk

 Dad's new lamp(Father's Day Gift)/Hanging pictures

 So True

 More paintings in Dad's apt

 Mom Bozyk's new storage unit

Scott has been busy reorganizing his room in honor of the end of school! Yeahhhh! Congrats to Scott for surviving his first year of high school!  He was hard at work studying for finals all last week. Plus the teachers scheduled a few last minute tests and study guides to be turned in early in the week. The kids had school right up until Friday the 19th. We also had a quarterly Boy Scout award night. Scott has not earned any new badges currently, but we enjoy the boy's skits and supporting his fellow patrol members. Plus I had to collect money for a Boy Scout trip to Hershey Park in August that Tom and I are organizing for the troop.

Scott did not have much time for relaxing after his finals. He went off to training Saturday afternoon for Cub Scout Day camp. Scott will be volunteering at Cub SCout Day camp next week to earn volunteer hours towards his High School graduation requirements. When Scott was a cub scout he attended camp, but this will be his first year working. He was happy that I was able to switch him to the STEM(science) station so he can be inside out of the heat instead of working the Fitness station(in the hot sun).

Tom and I did take him out to lunch after his last final on Friday. Tom was busy trying to get his new car inspected and licensed. He spent all day Friday working on the task. He could not get anyone to inspect it during the week or last Sunday. So he spent the whole day on Friday getting it road ready. I spent all day Friday waiting on Cookie to get her hair cut for the summer. Then I ran over for a quick visit with my parents. I had some phone calls to make with my mom(still working on their finances and bills). I also brought my mom a new pair of tennis shoes. She had worn down the tread on her last pair of walking shoes. I had to order her a pair online. I was glad to see they fit so well.

On Saturday night we entertained our friends for a pre Father's Day dinner. We got brave and Tom made fish tacos. I did the grocery shopping and was on bathroom cleaning duty. Then on Sunday night, our friends repaid us by inviting us for an outdoor picnic and play. We went to see Shakespeare in the Park-A Comedy of Errors. It was very entertaining and we had a great time. We even dragged all our boys out to the play. They were not as interested, but it was nicer than sitting indoors in front of the computer screen(I think). The actors/actresses modernized the play a bit with new age music and a few jokes that involved snicker bars. Fortunately the weather held out and it was a beautiful evening. And a nice way to end a great week and to celebrate Father's Day.

Happy Flag Day on Sunday! I would have loved to have taken the family down to Ft McHenry in the evening for all the Star Spangled Festivities. They fly the big US flag over the fort(Oh say can you see?), have the navy band playing and shoot off fireworks over the harbor along with the fire boats shooting water up in the air.  It is also one big picnic. But it was raining off and on all day, and Scott was busy studying for finals.  Allison didn't want to stay up late cause she had to leave early for girl scout camp in the morning, and Tom just did not care. Instead we enjoyed dinner with our neighbors at their house.

So that is that. Happy Flag day anyway!  It has been incredibly hot outside. We have had a heat wave all week. We are not ready for it. I have been trying to get the rest of my veggies in the ground. But I don't want to disturb my bluebirds either. They have a new nest of eggs. I don't think they have hatched yet, but I am surprised they are not cooking out there in the birdhouse. This was also not a good week to be home sick with a cold(which is what I was).  I ended up staying home on Thursday and Friday to get some rest. Scott took good care of me with Ramen noodles and milkshakes.

Allison was off at camp on a training week. She got her recertification for archery as well as CPR. The counselors also got to spend a day as a camper, participating in usual camp activities like arts and crafts, swimming, archery and her new favorite-the ropes course and zip line. She stayed an extra day to assist with a camp open house and came home Saturday night. She usually comes home on Friday and returns Sunday morning, but she got to stay home an extra day. On Sunday afternoon we went shopping to look for some dress black shorts for her uniform. The camp staff are supposed to wear dress shorts when the parents drop off and pick up their kids. Makes the staff look official. She also picked up a few knick knacks for goody bags for her camp buddy. Next week will be a very small start to the summer camp schedule as most kids are still in school. I guess they decided not to cancel, so only 19 kids are showing up for the whole camp. I guess that will make it easier(and less formal).

Tom was gone again all last week. He flew up to Vermont for a work week. Instead of coming straight home, he detoured his flight down to Tampa Florida so he could drive his Dad's car back here to Baltimore. Tom has been shopping for a new car and really liked Dad Seitz's Buick Rendezvous. Except Tom could not find one. So Dad sold him his car and got a Buick Enclave to replace it. We decided it was time to pass Zippy on to Scott for driver's training which will start this summer(here we go again!). And Tom needed a new car for himself. Scott is signed up for driver's training in August. So Tom arrived in Tampa on Thursday night and drove down to Venice for a quick visit with Mom and Dad S and Susan and John. Then on Friday morning he hit the road and spent two days driving back. He took a quick stopover in Orlando at Downtown Disney to do some shopping with a gift card he got at Christmas. He was excited to get a Hawaiin shirt with a Star Wars print-hot off the rack-as Disney now owns the rights to Star Wars. Now he is ready for when the new movie comes out at Christmas. He returned home on Saturday evening after spending the night in North Carolina. He got home about the same time Allison did. The two were pooped out so they did not join Scott and I at our neighbor's high school graduation party for their daughter.

 Scott headed over in the afternoon for a quick meal and swim in the pool. He wanted a break from studying for finals. And he had already spent his morning at a boy scout meeting planning next year's troop events. I also ended up working Saturday morning to catch up with the day I took off. I then decided to take my mom to the party with me to get her out for awhile. She usually spends all her time sitting with Dad on his floor. For a change, she enjoyed sitting by the pool in their wooded yard, eating BBQ. And so did I. We also enjoyed playing with their new Boxer puppy, Luna. Scott decided to bring Cookie over as well. Cookie loved lying out by the pool also, but was not excited about having another puppy jump all over her and bite her tail.

I also took Mom Bozyk out on Monday evening for her dentist appointment. Afterwards, I had an end of the year Girl Scout choir concert at a local nursing home, so I took mom along to that too. We then have a few snacks and a year end meeting, so she came along for that as well. Unfortunately we had a huge rain storm to navigate on the way home, but it made for an interesting outing( a very wet one).

On Tuesday, Scott and I enjoyed an end of the year Robotics team party at the coaches house just around the corner. We all sat outside, parents and kids and had pizza and snacks. He set up yard games for the kids like badmitton along with a trampoline which kept them all busy. And we parents sat around discussing all our boys future education. Looks like they all want to be engineers. Imagine that.  We also talked about a summer robotics camp that the group had hoped to put on, but ran out of time. As Scott has the most experience, they were looking for him to lead the program. They decided to spend more time next year laying out the coursework and getting out the advertising.

That is fine as Scott already has a very busy summer planned. Of course, Boy Scouts keeps him very busy each week. And he has several camps he will be attending this summer, Next week he will be volunteering at Cub Scout camp in the STEM program. But first he has to get through finals! He can't wait.

The Florida car's new home in Maryland. Very impressive.

So the rain and thunderstorms finally quit this week and we all got out of the house for the weekend. Tom was gone for the week in Chicago at work. Since the weather was so bad across the US, his flight was delayed  getting home. He arrived after midnite on Friday. We had planned on camping this past weekend with SCott leaving Friday night. It was the annual White Water Rafting weekend in Pennsylvania. Scott had to be at the campsite on Friday night since they were heading out so early Saturday morning. And it is about a 3.5hr drive out west. So I sent him off with another scout and his mom. The river is located in Ohiopyle, PA. The boys arrived in time to set up their tents in a rain storm.

On Saturday morning, Tom was coughing so bad, trying to recover from a 2wk old cold. We decided to skip the tenting, but drive up and spend the rest of the weekend biking a bit on the trail along the river. Tom ended up getting a hotel room so we could spend the night and bring SCott home on Sunday with his gear. We stopped for lunch in the small town of Ohiopyle, visited their new tourist center and then went for a two hour bike ride along the river trail. It is a pretty flat, dirt trail so it wasn't terribly strenuous for Tom. He just did not want to spend the night sleeping out in the cold in our tent and coughing and keeping up all the other campers. Plus, he needs to make a quick turnaround and head out to Vermont early this coming week for another business trip. He really needed to catch up on his sleep. Which he did back at the hotel. We stopped in to check on Scott. He had enjoyed his rafting trip. They finished early since we had so much rain, the river was high and fast. Also, the boy scouts have decided that older boys need to have a river guide right in their raft now for safety issues. So with a guide, things went a lot more smoothly(less boys falling out). Also, they were no longer allowed to stop at their favorite swimming hole and jump off the rocks. New boy scout safety rule. Probably a comfort for us moms, but not terribly exciting for the boys.

We had to head home since Scott had some homework assignments to catch up on. And we had to unpack the car and do all the household chores we missed out on while we were gone(laundry, grocery shopping, yard work). And pick up Cookie from our friends. Cookie hangs out with their cavachon puppy. Good for us, not so great for Cookie who gets pestered the whole time. Keeps her young!

Allison was also off camping this past weekend. She packed up her duffel box and headed off for a week of Girl Scout camp counselor training. On Sunday she finished her CPR recertification. We don't hear much from her as there is little cell phone connection in the camp area. But I know she has been looking forward to going back to camp and seeing all her old counselor friends(and meeting new ones). Plus she was recertified for archery which I am sure she is looking forward to getting back into this summer with the kids.

Before our camping weekend, I was busy running errands and stopped in for a visit with my parents. I arrived just in time for my mom to get sick while visiting DAd. I helped her back to her apt and got her in the shower and packed up her dirty clothes to take home and wash. I had to leave her in her own apt for 24 hr quarantine. She was not too happy being gone from DAd. But she felt better. And I also managed to squeeze in a girl's night out on Friday. I participated in my first BUNCO party. It has been very popular here in Maryland for years, but it is hard to get invited into a group(popular activity). I finally made the grade! After only 19 years! It is a fun dice game and you rotate tables and partners. Plus you get to nibble and sip your wine and chit chat with lots of very different women. And it is a gambling game so you can win some money. I think I won something, but I did not quite understand the rules completely for rolling BUNCO and I lost track. Maybe next time. If I am invited back!
Waterfall at the visitor center

 View from the Bike Trail bridge over the river

 Biking the Ohiopyle trail in PA

Last week was a short one with the Memorial Holiday. But not for all of us. I was busy at work and Tom was busy grilling dinner for the neighbors at our house.

Tom was supposed to fly to Vermont for work, but his trip was rescheduled. Since we were gone last weekend to Busch Gardens, we had some catching up to do with yardwork. I had been waiting for the nurseries to bring in more plants so I could finish  my flower beds. Scott has also been wanting to put in another veggie garden this year. So we spent the weekend shopping for plants. Before I put anything in the ground though, I had some weeding to do, along with lots of raking leaves and trimming, grass cutting-just general clean up. Scott restacked our stone wall around the beds in the front yard. It was hard to get all the work done since it was so hot! I was fried before noon. So it looks like I will still have some plants to get in the ground and leaves to rake up and bag.

I have also been trying to grow Bluebirds. Tom put up my bluebird house and a family moved in! I was so excited to see a nest full of blue eggs. Unfortunately, something decided to eat them and I noticed the hinged door pulled open and the eggs and nest gone. So we sealed up the door and I was happy to see that the Bluebirds are trying again. I even put up a bird feeder with their favorite dish-dried meal worms. Yuck!

Plus on Friday and Sunday I spent some time with my parents. Tom had a trip scheduled to Chicago and flew out Sunday morning. I visited with my parents Friday evening, sitting out on the back patio on Dad's floor. Mom and I are busy trying to figure out how to do a punch embroidery project. I am not good with written directions. We managed to thread the punch needle. That is as far as we got. On Sunday I took mom to the hair salon for a wash and set. I also dropped off some baby tomato plants that I dug up in our garden from last year. I wanted to plant some tomatoes with my Dad in the huge planters on their patio, but a storm was coming, and I had to pick up Scott.

Scott finally started his new job! He went in on Friday night and then again on Sunday afternoon. So far he loves his new skate guard job. He spent Friday in the skate room and got to do a bit of roller blading on Sunday during a small birthday party. Their season is winding down for the summer, so he will be a lot busier again in the Fall. Right now he is looking to schedule his training classes.

And Allison is enjoying her time off before she starts her summer job as a girl scout camp counselor. She spent Thursday night attending the high school graduation ceremony and party of one of her friends. The girls then had a sleepover to catch up on future plans. On Sunday afternoon, Allison headed over to visit with her new boyfriend and to meet his parents. Allison and Tyler spent the afternoon hiking Loch Raven Reservoir,and then stopped into his parents house for dinner and to meet the family-at least the parents, younger sister and dog and cats. Tyler's older brother lives in Arizona. Looks like we will be hosting the next visit! The two met at Salisbury. Their friends got the two of them together since they both share an interest in video games and anime along with outdoor adventures. And Tyler is a computer engineer, so they have found some common ground. It's nice that he lives nearby too!