It's official we are locals, we had fun at the fair in the rain and didn't high-tail it to our car when it started to pour. Although that to be honest that may have been mostly due to the fact that my parents were 70 feet in the air on the zephyr at the time, which was hilarious!!!! I wish I had the pictures of that but my camera broke so I lost most the pics I took and I don't have the ones from my mom's iTouch. Trust me though, it's so funny to watch your parents swinging around in the pouring rain, and don't worry they were having fun laughing and came down smiling too.
Is it just me or are fairs really expensive fun, but they are just so much fun it's hard to stop! In fact we are already excited for the state fair this fall. Bring it.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
FAIR FUN
ANGEL BABY HITS 9 MONTHS
E is really such a sweet, happy, smiley girl. She deserves her nickname of Angel Baby. I can't believe 9 months has gone by already. She is growing so fast. I think alot of it is she wants to keep up with her big brother whom she adores and the feeling is mutual. She is still at the top of the charts at 30 inches and 21 lbs!!! No kidding. She is quick in her crawling, a fast cruiser and so close to walking. She has no fear and is hardly ever cranky. She loves to wiggle much to my chargrin in church or when I would just like some snuggles. She plays happily with her brother or on her own and likes to bite on my spatulas, hahaha! Her reaction when any of the three of us walk into the room, makes you feel like a rockstart b/c she gets so excited. She is such a blessing in our lives and we are so thankful that E is part of our family.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
FIRST FIREWORKS
We had a pretty low-key but fun 4th. We started by heading out to my sister's small town for the quintessential small town parade. It was perfect; exactly the type of Americana you want on July 4th. And V was thrilled with all the firetrucks, dump trucks, old cars etc. Not to mention just about everybody throws candy!
My nephew was in the marching band, he is playing the bass drum closest to the curb.
E had fun at her first parade too. She was so content to just watch everyone go by, she barely made a peep.
After we just had a quick bbq at my parents before J was going to fly out for job related stuff. V had to show off his new sleeping bag he is so excited to have his own. 
See why we call her our Angel Baby, she even has a halo. You can't help but love this girl.
V stayed up to watch his first fireworks this year. He had fun trying to spot all the random ones from other neighborhoods while we waited. One of my parents neighbors puts on a show, he could charge he does so much! After an hour we called it good and went home for bed and he wasn't even half done and had faked us out that it was a finale twice! 
Conclusion: Fireworks are so much more fun to watch with a 4 year old and 4th of July really is one of my favorite holidays.
COUNTRY COUSINS VISIT
Ok, I guess they aren't really country, more like plains region cousins but either way we were so excited that my sister and her seven kids came to visit at the end of June. V skypes often with them from my parents house so he is familiar with them but we haven't seen them in person for 3 years! It's so great to spend some time with them. Her kids range in age from the twins being 10 to the youngest little dude who is only a month younger than E. 
Aren't these some handsome men? Great-grandpa and great-grandson.
I was a little intimidated to cook dinner for so many and b/c my sister is a good from scratch cooker but they cobbled up the quesadilla casserole quick!
I love this picture of me, my sister and her oldest daughter. Don't they look so much alike?
E wanted to play with the big girls too. 
Four generations: 2 great-grandparents, 2 grandparents, 2 granddaughters, 5 great-granddaughters and 4 great-grandsons!
First time at the ocean for most of my sister's kids and E. Went for the sandcastle contest.
Yep, J is on crutches, he had sprained his ankle 2 days before while chasing a soccer ball off the curb, oops!
Flying grandpa's trick kite; if Auntie K didn't hold him down it was so windy they kite would have picked V up and tossed him!
Obviously crutches are no deterrent to getting in the waves.
V really wanted to take his cousins to two of his favorite places to play. First being the Apple Farm of course.
The girls had fun chasing this poor chicken who had gotten out of the yard.
Feeding the goats was a hit, but I don't think anyone was as excited as my second youngest nephew. His laughter was too cute.
Second place, the Children's Museum. Making some music.
Even the babies enjoyed it, that's right E is standing!
Attempts at some family pictures. Tricky with so many kids and mom's camera on the fritz but we got a few good ones even if they look like they are "live and in technicolor!"
All the girls.
Boys turn.
J's face cracks me up, "Um how did I end up with both babies? Now what do I do?"
We were so sad to see them go home. Just knowing that they would eventually have to go home V started lamenting days before hand about how much he is going to miss them. And it's true, we do so much. Love you B family!
