A Day at the Lake

On Saturday we went to one of our family's favorite places...the lake. That's what we call it, most people call it Pineview. We had a great day with family and friends, playing in the water, riding in the boat and I finally got to check out the cemetary - something I've wanted to do my whole life. I know, I know...it's a little morbid. I don't care - I like it. It actually makes me count my blessings. There were several families that lost so many young children (the cemetary is old and some of the headstones were from the late 1800s and early 1900s). I'm SO grateful mine are healthy and happy!

Anyway, this is it for now! Although I love fall and am very excited for it, we're trying to squeeze the most out of these last few days of summer. I hope you all are doing the same!

It's What Fun Is!

On Friday, we took Parker and Anna to Lagoon. What a great day! Parker and Anna are so brave. Anna rode every ride she was tall enough to ride and some that she wasn't (the Bat) and Parker rode Colossus twice and the white roller coaster. I was really proud of them both.

The picture of Park is after riding the Colossus the first time - wasn't feeling so well!

Here's a cute story about the day...on Thursday I was looking online to see how tall you had to be to ride some of the rides. Parker was tall enough for some of the big ones but Anna really wasn't. So she was complaining that she wouldn't be able to ride any rides so I told her that she would be able to ride all of the rides in Kiddie Land. SO the next day, she was talking to me about the Cat Land rides. It took a minute to register...when I said Kiddie Land she heard Kitty Land. Kinda cute!

Here we are waiting in line for Dracula's Castle...scary!

Crazy Hair, Neighborhood Water Party & Just Enough Cooks in the Kitchen!

This is what we've been up to the last couple of weeks!

One day Anna wanted her hair curled and with my hand still healing I couldn't do it for her so she decided that she would do it herself. A good job, don't you think?

What the? Is that grass in her hair?! Anyway, moving on...

On Saturday we had a neighborhood water party/bbq. There was an inflatable slip-n-slide and a dunk tank! Anna was perfectly content on the slip-n-slide and it got even better when she was being thrown down! She waited in line for the dunk tank and then decided she didn't want to.

Parker liked the dunk tank - both as the dunker and the dunkee!

And finally, last night Parker wanted to make dessert for the family from his kids edition Betty Crocker cookbook. Aaron and Anna pitched in and made a scrumptious warm chocolate pudding cake! Here's some pics of my cutest chef's...

Of course, mingled with these activities were afternoons and lunches with friends, spoiling by grandma, a game night, homework, and physical therapy for me (Yay! Everday it's getting better and better!)

We hope you have a wonderful week!

First Grade?!

Today was the first day of 1st grade for Parker. Seriously, where did the last six years go? It's so unfair that it goes by so quickly. He's just growing up so fast but it's fun to see him learn and grow and become his little own self! He's been looking forward to TWO recesses and had a great time eating lunch in the cafeteria with his friends. I know he's going to have a great year! Now Anna and I just have to figure out what to do with ourselves!

Fun with Cousins!

Parker and Anna's cousins were here for a few weeks from California. While they were here we had a sleep-over, went camping, went to the park, watched fireworks - all kinds of fun! Parker and Anna miss them already!

Look below for a slide-show of some of the fun!

Fun with Cousins!

4th of July

Over the fourth of July weekend our family took our annual trip to Pineview. This has been a tradition for years and we look forward to it every summer!

Parker and Anna love camping and love boating and love playing with their cousins in the lake.

Anna's eyes were not just closed, she was asleep eating her s'more!

Unfortunately our weekend ended early. As most of you know, I had an accident while wakesurfing. I'll spare everyone the gruesome details but basically, a rope wrapped around my thumb and before I could get it off, I fell. The rope pulled off the tip of my thumb. My family rushed me to the dock where an ambulance met us. I was taken to the hospital where the surgeon tried to save my thumb. There was just too much damage though. It was a tramatic week for my family and me but with the help of our family and friends and neighbors we've made it through the worst part. It still hurts like crazy and I'm still trying to get used to the idea that my hand is permanently disfigured but through it all I still feel blessed!

First of all, it sucks. Really, there is no other way to put it but it could have been so much worse! It could have taken off my whole thumb or the rope could have wrapped around my wrist and pulled off my hand or it could have been my right hand! It could have been much worse!

Second, I had ski gloves on which was a miracle in itself! The night before, someone had climbed into my brother-in-law's boat and stole all of the ski gloves but halfway through my ride, my hands were hurting from gripping the rope and my sister found one pair that were tucked away so the thief didn't see them! Anyway, it spared Parker and Anna and my niece and nephew from witnessing the gore (me, as well!) and prevented my little thumb from ending up in some fish's belly!

Third, we live in an amazing neighborhood where we're close to our family who has helped us so much and where there has been so much support for my little family from our friends and neighbors. I can never say thank you enough to everyone who has helped with my kids, provided meals for our family, brought cards and flowers and cookies and treats. Really, I am overwhelmed by everyone's thoughtfulness and willingness to help! Really, I love you all and once I'm in better shape - if there's anything I can do to repay some of the kindness, I hope you will call!