FAIR SET-UP

Fair set up day has been consistently HOT since we have been doing it.

And it has been a few years now.

Yet, we still continue to do it.

One of our clubs is taking a break from fair this year (Yes!!!!) so that was one less thing to do plus, a bit less time that we have to be there.

Still, there were two other clubs to set up.

They were at the same time, so I left two with one club and the rest of us went over to the other booth...

and it was hot.

We did what we could and called it a day.

I didn't go crazy with the pictures.

Today is competition number one.

VBS #2

VBS number two was last week.

The theme was "Shipwrecked:  Rescued by Jesus."

We did the evening again.  It seems to work well, plus "dinner" is provided.

Lotsa cousins!!

Music time

Bible Lesson

Games.

I have to be honest, I'm glad it is over.

Now, to get through fair week this week!!

BIRTHDAY PARTY

Since having a birthday party at home wasn't an option this year, we opted to schedule it at a local park when they were showing their free movie.

We packed up a table and some goodies and it worked.

Thankfully, we had nice weather.

The only drawback was how late it got--being that the movie didn't start until dark.  We had two sleepers and a bunch more bug bites that necessary.

Overall though I think everyone had a nice time.

Thanks for coming out!

PROJECTS

Back a month or two ago, we rented a machine for a week and fixed a crack in the foundation of the house.  There should be no more water leaking into the basement.  Since this was all dug up, we debated on what to "do" in the area and decided just to build a simple porch along the front.

Some beginning stages..

Ta-da!

Eventually it will get an overhang and some posts, steps off the end and painted to match the other section as well as some other finishing touches.  

We are also working on getting some grass back, which kind of messed up my summer plans of having company and birthday parties etc...but such is life.

VBS #1

This week has been busy.

And different.

Except for Monday--I have been child-free every morning.

I had signed up the oldest 5 for a local vbs--knowing the track record of #6--I didn't bother.

However, we got there Monday morning and #6 insisted he wanted to stay while #5 did NOT want to.

Okay, we just swapped.

They are doing the Babylon: Daniel's Courage in Captivity program.

Well, after everyone came home Monday afternoon and said how much fun it was--#5 decided to go Tuesday and that was that.  They are all enjoying this time.  

After lessons and crafts etc. etc. and lunch (yeah--lunch is provided!!)--they have an outdoor play/water area set up until pick up time.

That may have been the clincher for #5.  

It has definitely been different on my end, but it is nice to see this bit of independence on the part of the little guys.  We shall see what next week holds.

12

I don't know how it has been twelve years, but there is the proof. 
Happy birthday to this guy today!!

Last year before becoming a teenager!!

Since Dad had to go to work, our practice is to allow one gift to be opened in the morning and the rest have to wait til later when Dad gets home. (as of now--he still isn't home yet)

He is still very much into legos.  

We followed the birthday menu of choice and spent time in the pool...

Hope you are having a wonderful birthday!!

RUGGED MANIAC

Several months ago these guys signed up for the Rugged Maniac obstacle course and mud run.

This was Mike's first time.

I have to mention that over the past couple of months he has been working out and eating a lot better and has lost quite a bit of weight--AND enjoying the process!  I think this was kind of a fun thing to work towards as well.

It was a beautiful day, (not sweltering hot) so we all packed up and headed down about 2 hours from us to cheer them on!

Waiting in line.

Apparently the groups go in waves--theirs started at 1:15pm.

The rest of us walked around some of the course--we couldn't see all of it, but here are some of the things that we did see.

Kids watching them crawl through the mud.

For the record--these rings were quite slippery and they both went in on the first try.

Spectators

Having fun

Finished the course and collected their medals!

Congrats!

Personally, it didn't look like much fun to me--but I'm preeeettttyyy sure that they're planning on it for next year again.