There's nothing like...

...picnicking in a tent in the living room on a hot day. =)

Fun with cousins & cow appreciation...

We had another fun-filled summer day today. Jonah and Javan came over for a few hours while Marikka was at the homeschooling conference and the kids all had a blast. We spent a good amount of time at the park climbing, hanging, and ball hunting. **The big boys in the neighborhood frequently have airsoft rifle wars and leave our park littered with tiny pellets that the kids love finding and collecting.** Each had a bucket and they all thoroughly enjoyed their "treasure hunt".

After our time at the park, we came back to the house for swimming and lunch. Jonah and Javan taught Luke how to have some real fun in the blow up pool. Those two had more fun in one hour than my kids have had in it all summer...what can I say, if its not heated to a nice 85* the water is just entirely too cold. ;)

The boys went home just before nap/quiet time and I launched my last minute plan of constructing cow costumes for Chick-fil-A's Cow Appreciation Day (wear a cow costume, get free food). The plan was brilliant this morning when I found a template for cow spots online, the perfect t-shirts (one stained & one too small), and a black rag to use for spot material. The plan quickly fizzled due to a sewing machine snafoo but I did my best just in time to meet the Reeves for dinner. I ended up hand stitching the spots to Kate's shirt and gluing the spots to Luke's but it got the job done and we had a delicious meal with good friends for a mere $4.00. =)

Eat more chicken!

Happy 4th of July...

We got an early start today and got in a full and very fun day at the beach with friends. It was, of course, extremely crowded but we all had a great time playing in the sand & mud, going down the water slide, and eating yummy treats....

Shanna & Sarah

A bunch of guys, who have clearly been perfecting this over many years now, built a water slide in the sand that lead down to the water. With a running start, the guys got going pretty good. Kate preferred to scoot down slowly but surely. =)

The mud hole kept the kids nice and dirty all day.

Paige and Bailey


Brenda made festive & yummy cupcakes

As the day went on the beach got more and more crowded so around 4 pm we packed up and headed to the Hertzogs for a little jacuzzi time and a cookout.
It was a great way to celebrate America's birthday! Happy 4th of July!

An update...

I don't know what it is with me and my lack of blogging lately. Actually, I do know...I hate blogging without pictures and I keep forgetting to take the darn camera with me on all of our fun outings. Summer is in full effect around here. Since I last posted we have....

• visited with Kate's preschool director to take a tour of her class and school for the fall
• attended the wedding reception of a high school friend we haven't seen in many years
  
• done some mall days with our girlfriends (poor Luke, always WAY outnumbered)
• celebrated Father's day with John & our dads- 3 wonderful guys who love their families and take such good care of us. My favorite quote of the day was from Luke when I went to get him up in the morning. ME: Lukey, let's go say Happy Father's Day to Daddy! LUKE: Happy day!! I want a cupcake!! =)
• had BBQ's, play dates, & dinners out with family and friends
• pool & beach time
• Lake Mission Viejo with Cori & Drew- thanks so much, guys! That was really fun!
• concert in the park
• visited Gramma & Grampa at the assisted living home where Kate entertained the residents with song and dance in the dining room during dinner
• remembered and celebrated the life of my Uncle Dick, who lost his battle with brain cancer, at a very sweet and touching memorial service
• celebrated the 4th of July a day early at our church's Freedom Feast and I finally remembered the camera!

Yummy food...

(Emily & Kate) fun with friends... (Luke loving on Chloe)

soccer with Mr. Louie....

We knew it was time to go home when Luke kept getting tangled up in the net. At one point he was so wrapped up in it, it took 2 of us adults to free him. =)