Family Pictures

This past weekend we actually had the entire family together so we decided to get some family pictures taken. Here are the results.

Cousin Reunion

This past weekend we had a cousin reunion with some of the cousins from my dad's side of the family.
Here is Nolan taste testing the lemonade before everyone arrived. Charging through the sprinklers...

Calli with Sadie, Jon, Ty with Brittin, Jeff

Nolan & Keetyn enjoying the blue slush.

Aidyn & McKayla

Kaitlyn holding Brittin

It was a fun weekend and a great chance to see some family that we don't get to see that often. Thanks everyone!

Sweatshirts

Last week while it was 100 degrees and 100% humidity, it finally rained (for about 20 minutes...). Afterwards, the kids wanted to play in the sandbox so they could make sandcastles. Despite my efforts to deter them, they insisted on wearing sweatshirts outside to play. (It was still like 90 degrees). So here they are in their long-sleeve sweatshirts with their hoods up. I was sweating just watching them.

Potter mania

UPDATE: I actually finished the book the same day I made this post. It was great!


Just a short post to let you all know that we are still alive around here. But....I'm reading the new Harry Potter so posts will be limited until I'm finished. Which should be very soon because I can't put it down!
I'll let you know when I'm done...

Goat Cheese

Tonight I got the kids to try goat cheese. Aidyn cautiously tasted a tiny nibble. Nolan snarfed it down like he hadn't eaten in 2 weeks. Pretty typical of those two...

Concert in the park

We went to a concert in the park tonight, it was a beautiful night for it! They had free ice cream, which Aidyn sort of willingly shared with Nolan.

There was also lots of great music for the kids to dance to. We had a very fun time!

Sushi

The kids tried sushi for the first time tonight. Nolan really enjoyed it and ate 3 rolls. Two of them even had wasabi on them!

Aidyn was a little less adventurous, but did agree to try the rice. We're branching out!

Last night of T-ball

Tonight was Aidyn's last night of t-ball. We've tried a couple sports with her now and she seemed to enjoy this one the most. She asked on the way home tonight when t-ball starts again, so I guess that is a pretty good indicator.
Here's our little outfielder poised & ready. (She's got it figured out how to pull that cap down low to keep the sun out!)
Daisy, Lydia & Aidyn
Of course Nolan was there to cheer on his sister.

Aidyn with her t-ball medal.

Nolan can hardly wait until it's his turn. Only 2 more years and a lesson in how to wear your batting helmet.

A relaxing trip to the library

We went to the library on Tuesday to check out some new books and watch the magician who was there to perform. Just a fun, leisurely trip to the library...until Nolan decided to go INTO the water fountain outside the library. The other kids just played AROUND the fountain, giggling as they would get splashed a little bit. Not Nolan, there's no messing around with this kid. He went straight into the fountain and got soaked. It's hard to tell from this picture because he is 98% wet, but if you look at his left sleeve you can see that it is dry. The rest of him...wet...dripping wet.

The upside of peer pressure

Since it was announced recently that we are going to visit Campbelle & Christian later this summer, Aidyn has had serious 'Campbelle on the brain'. "I wonder what Campbelle is doing right now." "I wonder what color shirt Campbelle has on today." The list goes on and on.... So as we were eating dinner last night and she was barely picking away at the vegetables I was trying to get her to eat, Campbelle came up again.
Aidyn: "I wonder what Campbelle is eating for dinner."
Me: "I think she's eating broccoli, carrots, grapes and lots of peas, because I know she really likes peas."
Aidyn: "Really?"
Me: "Yep. Here Aidyn, would you like to try some peas?"
Aidyn: "Yeah, I think I will probably really like peas."
She then proceeded to eat peas, which she has never done before. Thanks Campbelle!

The glamour of pet ownership

We bought a new pooper scooper the other day. As I was assembling it this morning I noticed the picture on the box of the happy, well-dressed woman demonstrating how to "scoop". Nice yellow cardigan, little blue skirt and shoes that appear to be heels. Having a beagle as a pet (and being a relatively normal person), I would certainly never dress in this fashion when I go out to pick up dog crap. If you notice her dog in the background, it is a Saint Bernard. Are you kidding me?!?! Good luck lady.

4th of July

We spent the 4th with our friends Corey & Ana. We went for an afternoon cruise around their lake with Captain Nolan in charge.


Ana took the kids for a kayak ride. Very brave Ana......

Then after dinner, we went for another boat ride, this time Aidyn was at the wheel.

Nolan had a fun time playing with Ana on the boat. Ana is really enjoying this too, can't you tell?!

We enjoyed a beautiful sunset, the kids did a few fireworks (mostly sparklers & snakes) and we headed home.

We all had a really fun day. I asked the kids this morning what their favorite part of yesterday was and at the same time, they both answered "Everything!"
Thanks for "Everything" Corey & Ana!

Swimming

On Tuesday we went swimming with some friends. Here are Aidyn & Lydia taking a little break.

That evening we took in some pre-4th festivities, but I forgot the camera! The kids rode on a little train, rode ponies, ate "fair" food...they had a great time!

Catching up

We've been busy these past couple weeks, so I've been bad about updates. But here are a few pictures of some of the things we've been doing.
Nolan & his friends enjoying a picnic lunch in Brooks & Lydia's backyard.

Aidyn at swimming lessons.


Nolan figuring out how to get into the pool. Graceful as usual.

Kaitlyn & Sean came to visit so the kids were well entertained.

Buddies...Sean & Nolan
They brought a slip-n-slide for the kids. That has been a huge hit. Great entertainment for us too! (Watching, not partaking.)