Fireworks, Weddings and Nana

Well, someone discovered the POOP emoji pillow at Justice while we were out shopping.  It all quickly went downhill from there! 

 

Proudly rocking Mama's sad attempt at a french braid before church.  I'm going to have to start practicing on her American Girl doll so I can up my game.

 

 

Our four little eggs hatched over the summer and within a week had flown the coop.

 

The 4th of July weekend was beautiful so we decided to bike to the farmer's market.  On our way back, we realized that Phoebe was desperately in need of a bigger bike so we spent a very rainy Sunday shopping for bikes!

 

Someone else needed an upgrade in size as well.  

We're still in training wheels but we're working on it!  

The morning of the 4th continued to be wet but slowed down long enough for the kiddos to try out their new rides.

 

 

By the evening of the 4th, it was dry and clear.  Just in time for Westfield Rocks the 4th!

 

We played an archery tag game as a family.  I think we need to be a little bit older to really compete but the kids had fun all the same!

 

Phoebe was willing to stand in line for the face painting while Maverick and I went around to the booths collecting free junk.  Now we're the proud owners of a few extra frisbees, handheld fans and lots of hand sanitizer.

 

After dinner we came home to have a little fireworks show of our own.

 

Waiting for the REAL fireworks to start.

 

Phoebe has had lots of fun with her summer camps this year.  She's had two weeks of tennis and loved them both.

 

July has turned out to be absolutely lovely in the weather department.  And we've taken advantage of it by spending lots of time outside.  We went to Turkey Run State Park, had a little picnic and then did a little hiking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We went over to YiaYia and Papou's for dinner and stopped for some photos in the tree in their front yard before heading home.  Such monkeys!  Hard to believe we're about to start Kindergarten and Third Grade in a few short weeks!

 

 

Phoebe's latest summer camp was a hip hop dance class and they had a performance on day three.  Auntie Kate and Ryan went to cheer her own as she danced to Meghan Trainor's "Me Too" song.  Take my word for it, if you hear it ten times in a row, it'll get stuck in your head for days!  She insisted on wearing her hair down so she could flip it all around...

 

 

 

Auntie surprised Phoebe and kidnapped her from summer camp so they could go swimming and then picked up Papou to go to Conner Prairie.  First things first, checking out the babies in the barn.

 

They had to check out the new tree house, too!  Papou helped her make a copper bracelet.  One for her and one for YiaYia.

 

 

 

We are SO grateful for our extended family and how they invest into our kiddos' lives.  Our children have NO idea how lucky we are.  Or how blessed.

 

My boss just happens to own a boat on Lake Monroe and he invited his employees who have kids out for a Kid Day on the Lake.  We got to go with a family that has five kiddos, two of which are a year older than our two.  It was a perfect day!

 

They alternated between riding the raft and swimming in the lake.

 

Phoebe and Lucy.

 

Maverick and Betsy.

 

 

And this one was seriously worn out and took a little cat nap on the way home.

 

Luckily for them, Nana was waiting for us when we got home so they perked up quickly!  Saturday morning we took her to the Farmer's Market.

 

 

Then Phoebe and I headed to our first mani/pedi date.  I think she liked it but it took awhile to warm up to the idea of someone touching her feet! 

 

 

 

We met back up for lunch and then headed off to look at puppies!

 

 

While Nana hung out with the kiddos (the pool, Secret Life of Pets, Taco Bell AND Cold Stone Creamery - PHEW!) Ryan and I headed downtown for a co-worker's wedding.

 

 

 

After church the next morning, we headed to brunch.

 

And almost no visit with Nana is complete without a stop at Conner Prairie.  Since Phoebe was the only one in the family who got to see the new tree house, she gave us the grand tour and helped Nana make her own copper bracelet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And we got fabulous news this week.  Uncle Steve went in for new CT scans last week and met with the oncologist on Monday.  His tumors have all shrunk up to 30% so the chemotherapy is effective.  They've booked the next four treatments over the next eight weeks and will do new scans in September.  We're praising God for this, that my little brother and our kids' uncle is on the right track.  We know this journey isn't going to end anytime soon but we're hopeful and grateful for each and every day.  It's made me realize there are NO guarantees in this life.  Love well and love often.