FATHER'S DAY

As I said in an earlier post, for Father's Day, we got Mike a tent..to feed his camping addiction.

Again, we're beginning with backyard camping.

So one Friday night, Mike and the kids set up camp and slept outdoors.  

Travis and I stayed inside.

 We were experimenting with face paints too, to make sure that they were set to go for Michael's birthday party.

 Almost there!

 More wood for the fire..

 and they were ready to go.

Happy Camping!

PARK TIME

The kids had been asking to go to this new playground by "Mommy's school," for months.  I kept saying we could go once school was out.

So, school was out and we went.  This playground is still in the works--there have been additions since we went a few weeks ago.  But let me tell you, its pretty stinking nice.  It would have to be near the top on playground I would like to go back to.  It has a lot of cool stuff and things that lend themselves to imaginative play.

 There is a section for older kids and a section for younger kids, which is always nice.

 Rian and Travis were sleeping in the car at this point.  So you won't see them in too many pictures.

 There is one little area dedicated to music!!  Awesome!

A Xylophone type thing, drums, pipes..fun, fun, fun!!!

 Surfing time!

 Love the face, Bean!

 Climbing wall.

 The tower where Michael was trapped by the dragon!

(aka Carina)

 They woke up!  Here is Rian in the smaller section.

Definitely going back there.

I can't wait to see the other equipment that has been installed!

FOURTH FESTIVITIES

 On the 4th of July, we went to a family picnic for a few hours in the afternoon.  I did not take any pictures.  Sorry.  After we left, we went home, picked up a few things and unpacked a few things.  Then headed to a lawn concert down the road which ended in fireworks.

 There were two separate bands.

They were pretty good.

I also got a chance to chat for a minute to some former co-workers.

 Daddy and the kids.

 The little kids.

 Grandma and Grandpa came up for the concert and fireworks.

Thanks for the popcorn!

 I did not get a single good shot of the fireworks this year.

Guess I'll have to try again next year.

 Mike also got the kids glow sticks.

Rian was  using hers to go fishing off of Grandma's lap.

What did you do to celebrate our country's birthday??

BIRTHDAY POST #4

My final birthday party post.

Here we go with gifts.

 Very cool.

We've been having fun with these.

 What could be in this BIG box??

 Yay!  His own bean bag chair.

He has been asking for one since before Travis was born.

We received two pink hand-me-down ones last year that are for the girls..and he wanted a blue or green one.

Wish granted.

Thanks, Nena and Popi!!

It has been getting a LOT of use already, he makes sure that it is in whatever room he is in. :)

 Another very nice gift.

(Who am I kidding?  They are ALL nice gifts!)

Aunt Essie and Uncle Joey got Michael his first REAL toolbox and tools.  Something he can have and add to his whole life.

 A tape measure!

Many things have been measured around the house.

He had a mini-lesson from Daddy on how to use it first.

 Look at those kids, sitting soooo nicely and watching the present-opening.  Nice job, kids!

 The cake.  

The lopsided cake.

But it is recognizable, no?

At least everyone who was present could tell it was a dump truck.

We had sort of a cars/vehicle theme going on.

I made the cake that morning.  Well, I tried to make the cake that morning, but I ran out of confectioner's sugar for the icing.  So, I had to put it to the side until Mike could run out and pick up the last minute things that we needed to get.

The cake then ended up being a last minute throw together.

I hate that.

I had guests arriving and the cake was still not complete.

I like to have everything done.

Anyway, it worked out. 

Next time though, I will double and triple check on the amount of ingredients necessary.

Build-a-Bear from Mimi and Poppop.

Now almost all the kids have received one for a special occasion.

Guitar from Uncle Steve.

(Yeah, it is a little girly looking, but that was all they had in the store..and Michael didn't even blink over it)

For whatever reason, all 3 of the older kids have been asking for guitars for months now.  I hope that at least one of them is serious about it and actually learns to play music on it.

A new bike from us.

Off he goes!

Time for cake!

Wow!  Where did those 5 years go?

And how did you get so big?

Happy Birthday, Michael!
We love you and
 hope you enjoyed your party!!