The Letter U

U is for Umbrella

Perfect for this gloomy, looks like rain, kinda day.

Memorial Day Weekend

Long, hot, and full of fun!

He insisted on getting up on his "horse" on our way out the door for a picture.
(Turns out I had this camera on an off setting from the get-go this weekend)
Whoops!
I can't wait to find some time to learn how to use is correctly.

We were on our way out the door Sunday to go to the quarry for a picnic and swimming.

What a hot day for some fun in the sun.

It was also a hot day to be giving kids blue cupcakes.

As I've said time and time again, 'm a BIG fan of blue sweets...

Kids sure love them though :)

Quarry buddies!

(All former Frickers employees)

We were convinced to stay and camp this weekend.

The tent construction crew.

After collapsing the tent several times....the kids went to play some tetherball.

Then back up to the house for some more grilling and watermelon.

I can't even begin to describe how filthy this kid is. Hot, sweaty, sticky, icky, dirty mess.

Oh, what fun it is to spend the day at the quarry!

When I ran home to let the dogs out and get some things to stay overnight, I brought back a little something for the kids to make.

It is a holiday weekend, after all. 

And we definitely wanted to honor all those that are serving and have served.

The craft didn't go quite as planned. Then again, this entire night wasn't planned.

But sometimes, they make for the best memories.

Looking forward to taking it home and hanging it up in the front yard.

These kids are EXHAUSTED!

Of course, they had no intention of going to sleep easily, but they were whooped.

The mommy's sat outside the tent and talked for a couple hours while the kids fell asleep watching Peter Pan on the laptop.

The next day we all went to Big Boy for lunch.

Again, not a chance I was going to get a picture of them all looking. But they did all behave superbly at the restaurant.

After lunch, everyone came back to our house to play!

I came across this neat idea the other day and was eager to try it out.

It was another 95+ degree day.

It's a giant piece of plastic I picked up in the paint aisle at Home Depot.

I folded it in half and duct taped the sides.

(leaving a small opening to fit a hose into--that would be taped shut once filled)

This took much longer to fill then I had anticipated.

The kids couldn't stay off of it. 

They were running, flipping, somersaulting and sliding.

Imagine what fun it will be once it is FULL!

Unfortunately, they were ready for naps before it filled.
The girls had to head home.

But after nap, Gavin and I were back outside.
Even Bear enjoyed a few flips, who lately has been referred to as Teddy :)

We invited the neighbors down to check it out.

And added a sprinkler!

Outdoor water bed? Homemade slip & slide?
Call it whatever you want.

The silly string shooters were also brought out.

Hope everyone had a Happy Memorial Day!

We sure did.

The Letter T

T is for Train.

First swim of the summer

There's nothing quite like the first swim of the season. The weather is finally hot enough to warrant filling up the pools, icy they might still be, but if you're under the age of 5, it doesn't matter. You're young, you don't know it's frigid, you just know that you're splashing around having the time of your life!

We love going out to the Quarry.
The wading pool is perfect for the kids. And pretty perfect for me as well, as I only waded around in it without submerging. It was cold.

I wish we could have gotten out there earlier to soak up some more sun and enjoyed a cold beer in my hand, but otherwise, this was a perfect start to our long weekend.

Swimming, bubbles, sidewalk chalk and grilling.

I look forward to heading back on Sunday!!
It's going to be 97 degrees!!
I do, cherish you, mother nature, for not going up one more degree.

"Mommy, look how high my bubbles are going! They are flying high to the sky!!"

"Uh, Pressly...we are drawing dinosaurs. THAT is just a line."

We didn't get home and to bed until nearly 10 o'clock.

You would have thought the little man would have slept in for me.

But NO. He was raring to go at 6am the next day. I simply don't understand. It doesn't make any sense. During the week I have to drag him from bed at 7:00 to get to daycare and work on time.

Sunday is going to wear him out. It must, I tell you :)

Happy 92 years Grandma!

It musta been a wild Wednesday

Relay for Life

Somehow, someway, I never got the invitation for the survivor walk and dinner this year.

It could be it got lost in the mail, never was mailed, or perhaps I tossed it with some junk mail and didn't take notice to it. I hate to think I could have done such a thing as I've been going to this event for years, but it's possible. That being said, I didn't join a team, I didn't raise any money, and I didn't get a t-shirt this year.

But I still went and walked.

With my girlfriend Jodi, and her daughter.

I also didn't take but a couple pictures. 

We used the time to walk 5-6 laps and catch up. 

Much needed. 

Thank you for joining us, Jodi and Kenna. It was good to walk and talk.

We arrived just in time for the opening ceremony. Survivor lap is at 6. We wheeled in at 5:55. Little did I forget that the opening ceremony was 20-30 minutes before first lap. The stories are great, but with two little ones, it's a really LONG time.

Luckily, Kenna's mom came with distractions. 

A farm book....perfection!

 Patience, sweet Gavin. Patience.

I know you're ready to walk.

 

  Almost time...

They ask survivors to *somewhat* line up according to years clear...I've made it to the 15 or less spot!

 This was soooo cute! 

I wish so much I could have gotten my camera out and on faster to get them walking side by side...hand in hand.

 Gavin was the first to be told that we do not touch the luminaries on the side of the track, so of course, once Kenna was intrigued by them, he was helpful to lead her back to walking the track.

 On another note, I told Gavin we were going to the track when I picked him up from daycare. I had no idea that in his mind he thought it meant a "race car" track. He asked several times where the cars were....poor guy.

He now knows there are running tracks AND race car tracks.

He did MUCH running this particular evening. It was great!

**Addendum: I received my invitation in the mail the Wednesday following the event.
It was only a *little* late.