I just realized I’m behind on our family news for you. I’ll share a few highlights from the first half of 2023.

Catching Up on 2023 Family News

We spent an extended Christmas with Ben and Bonnie in Jacksonville. Baby Schmitt #6 was due around Christmas Day. We were there to help but left before she was born. Bonnie’s parents arrived next to help the family.

Eleanor (Ellie) Virginia Schmitt was born around noon on Monday, January 2, 2023. She’s named after Mike’s mom; her middle name comes from Ben and Bonnie’s recent move from Virginia.

We, and all the aunts, uncles, and cousin Kent from Minnesota, made trips in January to welcome our newest little Schmitt.

Early in March, most of us and Mike’s family met in Sarasota for Grandpa Schmitt’s memorial. See Remembering Skip Schmitt.

I went to Jacksonville for a week later in March to help out. With Ben and Bonnie moving from Virginia in October (and without a home for a month) and having Baby #6 in January, they could use an extra pair of hands. I had fun taking the older kids birding a few times.

Ben and their family came down to go to Sea World in April. The girls loved the paddle boat flamingoes. Ben and Uncle Josh introduced the boys to their first roller coasters.

May and June’s plans revolved around Jenn’s graduation, which I’ll write about next week.

We just had an extended Fourth of July weekend in Jacksonville. Nana and Papa introduced the grandkids to the Tour de France and played a very interesting Clue game (one of our favorites). Ellie now knows Nana and fusses for me when I enter a room. She turned six months when we were visiting. Lily and Abby go straight to Papa.

Josh and Nicole are in Orlando and are doing well. We get together when we’re all in town. There’s been a lot of traveling!

It’s been another busy time for the Schmitts.

NOTE: I added photos to the end-of-2022 family news post. Go to August through October 2022 Family News and enjoy.