Tiny Town

Last week AJ went to Vacation Bible School...
and is still talking about it...
still listening to his VBS soundtrack every time we get in the car...
still asking if he can go back...
Little Dude found Jesus!

This week our big outing was to Tiny Town with some friends.

It was pretty cute and easy terrain to haul this baby belly around.

The kids had fun running around...

climbing where they shouldn't be...

And AJ only got his head stuck in a little window once.

It was inexpensive...

It wasn't crowded...

There was lots of shade, clean bathrooms, a great picnic area, and a fun playground...

all the things parents appreciate.

We rode the train...

and had ice cream.

Handled an ice cream crisis with ease...

and in good spirits.

We love summer.

Rainboots And Bloomers

This little girl rocks a style all her own.

Cousins

Sistas

My younger sister, Jess, came to visit for the weekend of the 4th.

She is the reason I have unlimited texting...
and remain sane most days.

We crammed in as much fun as possible into four days...
and she left me counting down the days until Thanksgiving when I get to see her again.

We had lots of fabulous times.

I laughed till I cried as we enjoyed our Sonic happy hour drinks.

If indulging in a Sonic drink isn't on your summer list...

you're missing out.

Baby V had his first trip to a fireworks stand.

Jess let me teach her how to sew!

And she is a natural!

She made the most adorable baby boy bloomers I have ever seen!

And we spent lots of time on the old lady glider swing as the kids played in the backyard.

It was great.

My Second Favorite Holiday

I.absolutely.love the 4th of July.
It's second only to Halloween for this chicka.

We started getting ready for the big day by making fireworks...

and decorating with red, white, and blue pom poms.

We continued our preparations by heading to a fireworks stand
for sparklers, fountains, snakes, smoke bombs, and snappers.

Picking out fireworks with my brothers and sisters
is one of my favorite memories as a kid.

Everyone took their selections very seriously.

Andy went nuts.
Growing up in Colorado where most fireworks were illegal,
it was his first trip to a fireworks stand.

Growing up out in the country in Missouri for part of my childhood,
we lived by the philosophy that anything goes...
including bottle rocket fights.

We all dressed up in our red, white, and blue...

decorated the wagon...
and walked in the bike and pet parade.

Andy survived his first 5K.

Latte enjoyed all the attention.

We watched the big parade...

where the candy and Cold Stone coupon were the best parts according to AJ.

Girlfriend thought it was great...

free suckers...
she didn't even have to use the big girl potty to get.

Cousin baby V rocked his patriotic colors.

Then we headed home for a family BBQ with homemade lemonade in mason jars.

We partied on by riding donkeys and a barrel train, face painting, and
bouncing in inflatables at the local festival...

Before some tailgating action awaiting fireworks.

AJ agrees with his momma that the 4th rocks.
Abby is absolutely terrified of fireworks.