4th of July

4th of July started with the Firecracker 5000.  Jessica and my dad ran as well.  Grant and Ima cheered us on!  The weather was great and it was Jessica and I had the best run yet!

Pre-race

There was no breeze.  You will notice the beautiful riverfront flag is not waving!

Post race (we still look pretty good, don't you think?!)

4th of July parade in neighboring small town.  Kids love it!  Great hometown feel!  We ended up sitting next to 6 other families we know.  So fun!

 We had a cookout at our friend's house but then headed our separate ways for fireworks.  Grant really wanted a picture by himself so he is trying to push out his sister - notice her smile can't be broken!

Poor Grant fell asleep 10 minutes before they started.  He said "wake me up when they start."  I tried buddy, I promise I tried!  I tried several times - he was out!  On the way home in the car he woke up and said "when are they going to start?"  Oh buddy...you kind of missed them.  He nodded back off.  He didn't realize until we were changing him into his pi's and he really woke up that he had indeed missed them entirely (yes lots of boohooing).  On the plus we did find an excellent viewing spot - you will notice the privacy- there are not people packed around us! Great show!

Summer Fun

The this and that's of summer!

Holding hands as we left Hobby Lobby - so sweet!

Then they did it again, in the same day! Lunch at the square! 

More barbie play-doh dresses

Grant's is very colorful! Look for more fall fashions to come!

Playing hard and crashing hard! 

Summer reading program at the library. Who remembers these books?!

We hung butterflies in Eb's closet!

Sleeping like a diva with Pumpkin close by

I thought  I was going to get fired from mowing.  In one day I ran over 4 things with the push mower! You might notice the cover in pieces in the landscaping.

Mastering the big boy bike! 

Riding with Pops

I think this was actually on Father's Day. 

Heller Family Reunion.  Just missing Jace.

Uncle David and Aunt Sara came home and surprised us! 

Not a great pictures, but there they are! 

Me and my cousin Jennifer, we didn't even plan the colors!

There's Jace!

Looking good in neons!

Last t-ball game 

Loving on Jack

We had a bad storm and we found a nest had been blown out of the tree in front yard AND the back yard. Half of the birds were still alive.  We put them back in their nests and attempted to feed them.  Unfortunately none of them survived.

They are alive in this pic, just not looking too pretty 

Loaded up for Bicycle Safety Town (BST) and all time favorite! And Grant did awesome!

Favorite tree to climb there with their friends! 

Family game night 

Jack getting special attention from EB.  He loves that big bear! 

Drumsticks, the essence of summer! (and getting chocolate out of clothes!) 

Just playing around at the playground at the mall.

Family bike ride.  This girl rode 6.5 miles!

Lots of pool time!

Bathing beauty! 

They love the new swings - even if they are on their heads!

Horseback Riding

Grant wants to be a cowboy.  So for his birthday my parent's got him boots and an appointment at a local stable.  Let me just say the stable did a wonderful job with the kids.  They learned how to approach a horse, how to groom, saddle and then they got to ride for 45 minutes.  

Grant rode Mick.  Mick is 36 years old and wasn't going anywhere fast, but that was just the right pace for G! The owner said that Mick still has a gift to give and that is taking it slow with the little ones! You did good Mick!

Elizabeth rode Moon.  A little younger, Moon is only 30.

Grant was informed that if you can't carry the saddle you aren't old enough to ride (that was told to him right after he dropped it - oopps!) The reins were a lighter load.

Grant had a hard time getting Mick to trot for him because he wasn't sitting back in the saddle.  Once he did Mick took off and Grant's body starting to fall forward - it was hilarious to watch, but Mick could sense Grant's body falling and he stopped - such a good horse!

Walking the horses back in 

At one point she tried to get the kids to play Simon Says.  "Simon says touch your helmet.  Simon says point to the sky"  Grant finally said "I can't!" He was afraid to let go.  Also one of the reasons Mick maybe didn't go too fast, I think he was holding the reins pretty tight!

The kids had a great time.  Grant fell asleep hard on the way home!  We still talk about Mick and Moon.  I think we may be going back!