The Week of the 4th - Part 1- My Fam

The week of the 4th we headed down to spend it with my family for the first part and then went to Chad's family's house.  The boys, dogs, and I got down to my parents while Chad was still in Poland (more on his mission trip later... I have asked him to "guest" blog for me to record his amazing trip.)

We decided to go down a day early because my brother and his family were coming down and the boys had spend a lot of time with them.  The cousins had a blast.  They seriously love eachother and we barely see them.  Between the pool, the sprinklers, and a mini fireworks session (courtesy of Uncle Zach), we had a great visit with them.

First up, a game of sprinkler kickball.  

Rounding the bases.

Hunter is up.

Gettin some coaching from Uncle Zach.  Look at Aunt Anna'a baby bump!!!  New niece or nephew in December!! :)

Shepherd rounding first base.

Moses making the save

And then either going after the water or sniffing Hunter's butt.

And then eating the water... He is slightly ADHD.

He's safe!

Esme getting in on the action.  She had to have her shirt off like the boys.  Bless this little girl with all these brothers and boy cousins.

Brother and sister hounds love the water.

Miss Isla Maria happy to have everyone (but Nolan) home.

Then Fireworks.  This was hysterical to me.  These were little fireworks but the boys LOVED them.

Queenie and Isla enjoying the "firework" show

Shep's excited look... he has done this since he was a little baby.

Oh the suspense.

Bennett loves fire so he was happy to help Uncle Zach

A whole lot of boy

Just a sweet picture of Ashton and Essie.

 Lastly, was the pool.

Beez was cautioius at first 

He clung to Queenie, but she wasnt having it...

But then he decided it he really like it. :) 

Most of the gang

Owen REALLY loves to swim

Ok, never mind.  He is scared senseless.  ha. Fun times!

Happy kid

Ashton is doing so much better in the water.  They all took individual swim lessons this year... more on the later, but suffice it to say, huge success!!!

The next day, we met up with Jodi and her kiddos.  We had lunch and then headed over to her mom's house to swim.  Before we knew it, six hours had past.  Time flies when with this sweet bunch.  Barely remembered to pull out the camera and the pics I did get are not good.

Ashton, Karson, and Hunter

Shep and Connor.

Thursday, we got to meet up with some more friends.  Olivia and her crew met us for lunch.  Again, so blessed with this friendship.  Feel so bad that I totally neglected to take a single picture.  But her boys and my boys pick up their friendship each time as effortlessly as Olivia and I do.  

Queenie and Mantis took the boys and me to see the movie, Inside Out.  The boys had been dying to see it but I was too cheap to take them.  Thanks for taking us!

This is perhaps the worst picture ever but I it cracks me up... merely proof we were there.

And last was the lake.  We love taking the dogs to this lake.  The kids have a blast.  It was overcast the evening we went because normally there are a lot of dogs out here.  I will admit, even with 3 adults, supervising 4 kids (3 who a the time could not swim at all on their own), and 4 dogs it is a bit lot stressful.  There are phone pics so they are not super clear.

Chase.  I dont know where Eddie is, but he was there somewhere.

Even Molly is excited to be here... she is actually running down the hill

Hunter wasted no time jumping in

Puppies jumping off the dock

Mom and dad, thank you so much.  You guys are amazing and have helped us sooo much these last couple months.  We all love you!