Excited For Fall!

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm so excited for fall!!! I can't wait for cooler temperatures and it also means the boys are back in school! I'm hoping I can finally get settled from the move. The last year has been a whirlwind and I'm looking forward to it maybe calming down.

Dave and I both took turns being sick for almost a month each and in separate months. Needless to say, our boys didn't have much excitement this summer. I did venture downtown with them by myself once. There were these free Friday activities in Market Square during the summer for kids. We went to The Bird Guy day. It was a free show, but the parking was $12 for less than two hours!

While we were on the drive there, the radio started talking about how at the Steelers Stadium that day there were American Idol auditions going on. I was worried it would be nuts down there, but it wasn't. Needless to say, we decided we would go and check it out. I found parking and it was cheap! Only $3 and we even found a spot! We got out and walked over and overlooked where everyone was waiting and people were coming out. There were some that were completely heartbroken and crying as they walked away. Braxton was worried that I would get arrested and they would get thrown in Juvie for being there. I tried to tell him it was a public place and we weren't causing problems so we'd be ok!

After that we walked across the street to the Ohio (I think....) River and watched the ferries and boats come through.

At the bird show.





After the show the bird guy let kids hold a few birds. He placed five birds on them if they would wait in line and hold still. The boys thought it was cool!

 

The American Idol hopefuls! There were more than 30,000 people there. This was just a small section!

 

The boats and ferries!
 

 

We were right next to the Carnagie Science Museum and this sub was in the water outside of it. It was kinda cool to look at!

Our Visit With the McKenna's!

Dave's parents came out East for a family gathering in Nauvoo. They flew to Michigan, stayed with Dave's sister, went to Nauvoo, and then drove here with Dave's sister Bethany and her two little girls. They were here on a Friday afternoon and left Sunday early afternoon. It was a quick trip. On Saturday, there was a water main break in town so the ten of us had no running water for HOURS! We went to the pool for a swim. Afterwards, we can home, still no water, ate lunch, and went to see Cars 2. Pretty fun movie. Porter actually sat through most of it! Afterwards, we got pizza and went to a park to let the kids play! That pretty much sums up our visit!

Dave, His dad, Martha, and Cole.
 

I know, it's a "head shot," this is Braxton having fun!

Porter was a bench warmer, like with anything else that includes water (I sat out with him)....

Cole just taking a breather!

Dave.

Dave's dad and Martha.

Dave's sister Bethany, and youngest daughter Alina.

Dave's mom.
 

4th of July Festivities!

We went to my parents house for the 4^th. We love being on the lake to watch fireworks and have a bonfire! We roasted hot dogs, bratwurst, and marshmallows! Our friend Robyn came to visit us and hang out for festivities also! My sister Jen and her family were there also!

 

My Aunt Josie makes donuts with all the kids. This is the first year my kids were here to help! They had a lot of fun!!!

 

My sister Jen and I.

  

 

Porter just hanging out!

 

The boys fishing with my dad!
 

 

  

 My sister brought a few fireworks and sparklers to use at my parents house!

 

  

Every year the lake association has a boat parade. People decorate their boats and go around the lake in a line. The boats are judged and you can win prizes!
 

The fireworks!
 

Cole's Ocean Night at School!

The last week of school there was an ocean night for Cole's class. They had been studying oceans and made lots of pictures and projects to decorate the hall with the ocean!

Here's his sea urchin.

The turtle.

The octopus.

The jellyfish.

Cole and his starfish.

Cole and his shark.

Last but not least, his rainbow fish!

This is his sweet teacher, Mrs. Follett. She was so nice to Cole and he never complained about her! She helped make the moving transition smooth for him!

Mother's Day!

The kindergarten classes at Cole's school had a Mother's Day program right before Mother's Day weekend. They had prepared several songs to sing for their mothers that day!

After the program we went back to his classroom for treats and "tea" (we had pink lemonade. sweet tea is huge here and that was the other option.)

A few days before his teacher sent home a note for me to send in a picture of the two of us for something......

When we went back to his room this was displayed in the hall!