What did you eat for dinner?

I know, can you believe it?  So many posts here recently.  I guess I better take advantage of these last few weeks of summer break.  I head back on August 16th for a couple of teacher days before the students return the 18th.  I can't believe it has happened so fast this summer!  Anyways, a picture and a video to make you smile...

Do I really need to say anything about this one?

I think I mentioned that my dad, Tommy and Jack went to the monster truck show a while back.  Jack is stll talking about it.  I posted a picture of what Jack kept telling me the monster trucks looked like (since I didn't go to the show).  He keeps showing me, so thought you might like to see for yourself...

Fun Saturday

This morning we got up early and headed up to Big Bone Lick state park to see the bison and do some research for Tommy's history class paper.  We'll be glad to have this last class finished!  Anyways, a great thing about Big Bone park is that they have live bison to see.  The kids loved them.  Although, Jack wore some new flip flops and ended up with blisters after the walk.  He also let us know the entire time that his feet hurt.  Here are a few pictures from the park.

After lunch and naps for all, it was time to break out the $3 slip n slide from Target.  We weren't sure how much fun it would be, but the kids (and Tommy) had a blast!  Caroline makes us laugh as she throws all caution to the wind.  I say laugh, but really, makes me worry a bit!  She just goes at things!  Here are some pictures and video from the slip n slide.  We will definitely be using this one again.

Yes, we really do feed this boy.

Getting the hang of it!

Caroline did not hesitate getting in on the fun.

Daddy getting in on the excitement.

They can still be so sweet!

Fine Motor Skills

We've had a few very rainy days here lately.  What should we do?  Of course, break out the fruit loops and make some jewelry.  We'll call it a lesson in fine motor skills.  Here are the little ones enjoying the event!

Jack hard at work. 

Caroline wearing her finished product.  She would put one on, then eat 2, put 1 on, then eat 2.  Her necklace isn't quite as long!

Enjoying her hard work!

All finished wearing it.

All mad b/c she couldn't get it back on.  These tantrums are so often now!

Jack really enjoyed this.  He worked hard at it for a good while!

And here we have Caroline trying to enjoy her necklace. 

Hello!

Couldn't resist posting this video from yesterday.  I am aware of the problem with all my previous blog posts and the pictures!  I re-configured my picassa account to save space and lost all my linked pictures!  Just trying to find the time to fix it!

Weekend recap

What a fun weekend we had!  I think we are all a little tired as we all slept until 7:30. 

Friday: Our good friends, the Friskes, came for dinner since they will be moving to DC on Tuesday.  We are so sad, but excited for their new adventure.  Our oldest kids, Jack and Alex, are such good playmates.  Friday was filled with homemade pizza, chocolate fondue, good wine, and lots of running, playing and laughing.  Here are a few pictures of the kids.  Caroline was fascinated with baby Nathan who is 2 months old.  She would get so excited next to him and both of them were making their noises and talking to each other.  So cute!

These two boys are such good friends!

After a fun evening with friends, Saturday proved to be a blast too!  We started the day early by picking blackberries at a local u-pick farm.  This picking round it was just Jack and me and our neighbors.  I forgot to get any pictures!  These were the biggest blackberries I have ever seen.  Jack got more and more excited as we picked.  "Mom, this blackberry is bigger than my hand!"  Got to love the enthusiasm.  After a morning of picking and a trip to walmart to pick up our canning supplies, we came home for some yardsaling.  I finally got the kids a chalkboard/dry erase easel I have been looking for...yay!  I love to yard sale and I think Jack is getting into it too.

The kids had to get a nap to get ready for a visit with Grandpa.  My dad came up to visit and rode his motorcycle up here!  That evening, Grandpa, Tommy and Jack headed to the monster truck show.  Jack had been so excited all week.  Caroline and I stayed here and made blackberry jam and syrup with the fresh berries.  When they got home late, Jack woke me up to tell me all about the show.  He loves to talk!

Jack came home with a pirate flag see above.

Jack kept saying "mom, the monster trucks looked like this!"

Blackberry jam...yum!  I've been busy with jam this summer making blackberry, blueberry, and cherry so far.

 Sunday was spent visiting with my Dad before he rode back to TN.  We had a great visit and the kids loved the motorcycle!

Sunday evening we spent at the neighbors for a birthday party and then Jack and I worked in the garden until 9pm.  I love summer evenings getting to be outside like that.  I'll have to take some new pictures of the garden.  We've had a few things out of there like bell peppers, tomatoes, squash and zucchini.  Everything else it on the verge of being ripe.  I'm so excited about veggie dinners here soon. 

Zoo and other Randomness

We love the zoo! So after our weekend trip to visit with Tommy's family, the kids and I were dying to get back to the zoo. Caroline really seemed to enjoy it this time too. I tell you, her favorite part had to be the manatee house which is basically like a small aquarium. So, if any of you family members are looking for ideas for Christmas, help with an aquarium membership would be great. I know we would use that one just as much (or maybe even more!) than our zoo membership. So, here are some pictures from yesterday's visit. It was VERY hot!.

Caroline saying, "Look at the elephant!"

I always try to get one of them together. 

Best attempt at getting them both on the alligator.

Now, on for the randomness.  Here are a few other pictures from here lately.

Caroline LOVES Jack's bass pro shop hat. (Or as Jack calls it, his trout, trout, trout hat.  Thanks again for the bok Elaine and Pat!)  I wonder if they have one in pink.

Jack's art is really taking shape.  Here's his dragonfly.

Grammy had a layover in Cincinnati before going to see Elaine and new baby Sarah Beth.  We got to visit at the airport.  Jack was thrilled!!

Caroline loves some sun glasses!

Yes, I let him do this.

Some of you might be very shocked to see this video, but hey, it was the 4th of July. Here's Jack, so grown up!