Dinosaur Museum with friends

 We went to the dinosaur museum with some friends last week.  The kids were so excited because we used to have a pass that let us go whenever we wanted, but we didn't renew it and so it had been over a year since we have been there.  It was awesome as usual. 

 This lizard guy was out making friends with Ella and Emery.  He was tapping the glass with his face. 

 Riley loved the water/sand pit.  All the kids did, but I only took a picture of Riley.  

 All the kids (minus the youngest two) at the scary shark.  There was a worker there showing the kids teeth from different animals.  Zac and Sadie got really into finding which animal went with each tooth.  

 THen we got ice cream.  IT was so hot outside that it melted really quick.  So I helped keep the drips from actually dripping off the cone.  :)

 Yum!

 Riley loved her very own little cone.  She finished that thing off in no time.  

Then Sadie wanted me to make a video of her doing a pull up on this tree. 

Thanks Laurel and Fam for letting us tag along with you!

4th of July

 I thought I had already posted about the 4th of July, but I realized I never did!  Oops!  We had a great 4th of July.  We spent time with friends and family doing fun things and eating good food.  I'm so grateful I live in this country and have the freedoms that we enjoy.  Things are pretty crazy these days with the presidential election coming up and all the violence, but I have faith and hope that if we live righteously, we will be blessed.

A few days before the 4th, we made some festive necklaces. Red, white and blue beads with yarn.

 The beads used to be in that orange bowl, but I think Riley got to them.  ha ha.

 I made our usual festive sugar cookies.

Bright and early we headed over to the parade.  Actually, it didn't start until 10:30 so it wasn't very early, but it was very bright and hot.  I think they should have the parade start at 8 so it's cooler and the crowds might be less if it is that early in the morning.  ha ha.  We had a great time.  The kids waved and danced and got candy.  

 Someone came along selling these head pieces, of course I said no we aren't buying any, but before I knew it, one of our neighbors who was sitting next to us bought a bunch of them and handed them out to all the kids.  The were lucky this time...

Our crew looking right into the sun.  

Riley and Daddy.

Riley borrowed someone's abandoned head piece.

Beautiful Emery.

Sadie was a big help with Riley.

After the parade, we went home for a nap before we headed over to Highland to eat dinner and play with friends.

Emery fell asleep on the way there. 

Riley and Charlotte played with the bubble maker.

They did the slip and slide.

Eating dinner...these silly kids keep us laughing.  They have SO much energy!

You can't really see it, but Riley and Ella have matching swimming suits on.

Love these kids!

Laurel told the kids to do something cool and this is what Sadie did...

And this is what Zac did.  I love these pictures so much!  Thanks for taking them Laurel!

Their backyard is so fun!  The kids played the entire time we were there.  IT was great!

Doing sparklers in the daylight!  Ha ha.  Not as exciting as in the dark, but the kids still had fun.

Me and Laurel!  I'm so glad we are friends.  She is the best!  Thanks for the fun night guys!

Then Luke and Taylor came over to watch fireworks with us.  She blogged about it on her blog and has some really cute pictures here.

My Munchkins

 My four little munchkins are growing up way too fast.  I look at pictures from just a few weeks ago and can see they have changed just since then!  Sigh.  I guess that is part of life.  It is so great seeing them grow into good kids, but they are just doing it too fast!

 Playing with trains in jammies.  The best!

 I took the kids to Dunkin Donuts and introduced them to their munchkins.  They liked them.  I had forgotten how much I like their chocolate cake donuts!  Yum!

Just hanging out in the basement.  I think we had cleaned up and these mats were the only thing left on the floor.  So they all squeezed together and asked me to take a picture.

 My little helpers in the kitchen.  This is how it goes: "Can I lick the bowl yet?"  "Not until we are done..." "how about now..."  you get the picture.

 The other day after one of our Thursday movies at the theater, the kids were really quiet. I went looking for them and this is where I found them!  Behind the curtains in Riley's room eating the extra popcorn.  Silly kids!

New Dresses from Ghana

 My sister in law Crys has a job where she gets to travel to Africa a few times a year.  They make merry go rounds that create electricity for schools there.  She also has a side business where you can get a custom made dress from Africa.  My mother in law generously paid for all the girls in the family to get a dress.  We got them last week and I LOVE how they turned out!  If you are interested in getting one of your own, here is the web address:  http://www.amaadress.com/.

 The girls looked so cute in their dresses!  Theirs have little ties that go around the back.  And I have some extra fabric that I'm thinking about making a bow tie for Rob and Zac out of.  :)  Then we can all be matching!  

 This was how we went to church last Sunday.  Love it!

Rob was feeling a little left out, so I took his picture.  Look at that handsome guy!

Silver Lake

We made it to Silver Lake again this year.  It was beautiful as always.  Although it was amazing how many mosquitos there were.  I didn't get bit because whenever Rob is around I am safe.  They eat him instead.  ha ha. 

Outside fun

 It seems we spend some time almost everyday in our swimming suits outside.  I love the summer time!

 We eat lots of otter pops with friends.

 Bubbles are fun too.

 

 One day while everybody was outside, Riley went inside and when I went inside to find her, she had found my glasses (I didn't even know where they were! I haven't worn them since college!) and was wearing them.  She didn't want to take them off either.  So cute.

 And I caught this genuine smile the other day while we were playing outside.  She is beautiful just like my other kids!

And here are some videos for the grandparents!