fourth of July outfits

Kate wanted to hold Jack.  I don't know if he thought it was comfortable or not, but it is happening more and more.

Baby, you're a firework

 This year, we decided we would rather be with our friends on the 4th than go to the country club for dinner and fireworks.  It was a potluck and those are the best deals for me -- blackberry cobbler, different potato and pasta salads, a fruit trifle, brownies, and hash brown casserole!  YUM!!

 Kate had glow sticks left from Minnesota, so she finally got to break them and let the glow out!

 All of the kids -- so fun and such a good group, too!

 The display of fireworks was quite outstanding!

 One of my favorite pictures of the boys who have been friends since birth.  Really sweet boys.

Kate went to be by Jason and Tate during the really big fireworks.

hair today...gone tomorrow

 Four Months.  Time for a haircut to hide/disguise the bald spot/blond spot on the right side of Jack's head.

 Babiators from Fran.  A great gift.

 At the hair salon.  Tried just cutting it to make it less noticeable, but it still could be seen.

 Oh Jack, mama is sorry, but it had to be done.  Buzz cut.

 Shady sibs.

the hills are alive

 typical guitar room night.  lyrics and chords on the computer, jack in the middle, kate dancing, and drake being part of it all.

Bourbon Birthday

For Frannie's 30th birthday, she wanted to do a Louisville trip and a Bourbon Distillery and Horse Farm tour.  Matt and I met up with the girls at Buffalo Trace Distillery.  It was quite an educational trip, and I would like to see more distilleries even tough I am not a Bourbon drinker.  

 The barrels are housed in the same warehouses they always have been.

 The girls...Fran, Kristin, Nicole, and Challen.

 Barrels and Bungholes.

Happy 30th, Mary Frances!  

since we've been home

 I will admit it, though it comes not as a shock to most, I hate hot weather.  It makes me whiny, crabby, lazy, and hot!  I don't want to do anything and I want to complain about everything.  The next two months are going to be a true test.  The garden is keeping me busy though.  I check it each morning when Jack and I go out to water, and we have five more watermelons that are growing.  I don't know what to expect or what they do, and the lack of spacing that I provided for all veggies is evidence of this, but next year, the garden will be twice and big and will have more stuff in it as well.  Once the tomatoes are red...watch out!  We are going to be eating a lot of tomatoes!

 This is how sweet girl went to the HealthPark with her daddy one morning.  Sequined headband and rhinestone sunglasses.  Happy as could be.  And he let her.

 YUCK! YUCK! YUCK!

 Kate put on a show and was a singing fool one afternoon, too.  At least she provides good entertainment.

Sunrise over the sunflowers.  They are in much better now -- a brighter yellow -- but I have not taken a picture of them.  Maybe Jack will pull early morning wake-up soon!

cross over and FUN

 After begging and pleading, Sara and Jeremy were given the go-ahead and were able to come to Minnesota early.  This meant we would have a whole day to play with them and we used each moment of that time!  The day started off cloudy and windy.  After a quick visit to Adirondack with Sara, we drove to GVL to go down the waterside and eat lunch.  After lunch, Matt, Sara, and Jeremy left by car to come back by boat and pick Kate and me up.  It wasn't so warm on the boat, but a sweatshirt and towels took the chill off.

 That night, we went out for a final banquet without kids to Italian Gardens.  It was super yum, which isn't always the case, and we were glad to have some adult time.

 Pictures followed.  Sara's 24 week belly is starting to show the twins we can't wait to meet!

 Some lovey pictures...

 When we got home, Kate was still awake and we told her to change and we could go to Uncle Ted's and Aunt Mary's to sit around the campfire.  Grandma had given her a light-up wand that we had not been able to use at night due to it not getting dark until 11, but this night, we cracked it and enjoyed.

 Kate, without a nap, was a little tired at the event, but she tried to focus.  The mosquitoes were terrible!

family boating

 ahhhh...a great afternoon on the boat!

 pin-up girl

 picked up Uncle Ted to go to dinner by boat.

 a little cornhole/bags while waiting for dinner