June and July in Review/How Could the Summer Be Going so Fast!

June is always a busy month for us.

On the 16th, we celebrate our anniversary, and on the

20th, it's Jon's birthday.

Since we've had kids, Jon always tries to think of

something fun for all of

us on his birthday. He's such a great dad,

because he enjoys thinking of things that the kids might like to do.

Last year we visited Fort Rickey for the

first time with them. This year,

we took them to Howe's Caverns.

They loved the cave under ground. They were the perfect

age to enjoy the trip and the history of

the place. After our fun day at the Cavern,

we came home for a birthday party.

Happy Birthday Jon!
In June it's my birthday too.
I always tell the kids that the best birthday
gift I ever got was them. Three years ago, on my
birthday, they came to live with us. On their "anniversary"
we enjoy cupcakes for breakfast, with candles, and a
"Happy Anniversary" song.
Last year, my mom made my birthday cake. Foolishly, I thought
it was just one of many more that she would
make. I appreciated the time and effort that she took making it, but
I don't think that I appreciated the fact
that it could have been the last.
In the fall, when she was diagnosed with
cancer, I remember sitting in the hospital wondering
would my mom even be around in the summer
to celebrate my birthday.
I'm so thankful that she was. This is a cake that she made
for me. I really took time to appreciate it this year.
As I blew out my candles, I wished harder than I've ever wished before
that my mom would be here for many more birthdays.
After birthdays and anniversaries, it's the Fourth of
July. My brother came up for a visit
on the Fourth. We all enjoyed fireworks together.
Last year, I thought we would have unlimited time to watch
fireworks, this year I slowed down and enjoyed each and every moment
that we had before, during, and after the firework show.

We bought the kids cotton candy and glow in the

dark necklaces. Something that we don't usually

do. We let them fool around with

Papa. We made sure to take

time to make memories that we can draw on

forever.

This year, we hosted a Fourth of July brunch. Jon

will be quick to point out that we ate it

on the 5th, so how could it be a fourth brunch.

So, I call it the Fourth of July weekend brunch.

We had a sweet potato fratata, home made bagels, stuffed

french toast, bacon, and waffles with strawberries and

blueberries.

The kids made patriotic decorations that

we hung in our yard.

We ate outside on the picnic table that we

bought for our anniversary.

Yet another reason that I love my husband. Each year, for our

anniversary, we buy something for our house.

We've purchased a barbecue grill, a pool, and some other things.

This year, I really wanted a picnic table, so that we could eat

outside. Jon really didn't want one. He sited

many things: Bugs, heat, inconvenience, and mowing.

He knew how much it meant to me that

we have a table, and he bought one. I love him.

After Fourth of July weekend, my brother staid for a bit

longer. We enjoyed some outings with him.

We went to Fort Rickey one day.

Here Doodles is feeding the deer. She

reminds me of her grandmother, taking her time

to feed each and every animal. She doesn't want any of them

to go without food.

All K. wanted to do was ride the paddle boat.

His sweet Tio rode with him around and around the pond.

It seemed like they paddled everywhere about 100 times.

Tio never complained, just enjoyed the time

with K.

The next day, we took a trip to the zoo.

Both K. and Tio love animals. What fun

it was for the kids to have the time with

their uncle!

My kids favorite thing is to listen to

Tio and I share stories of our

childhood. They love to think of us as kids

like they are.
We had to take time to feed the ducks.

Looking through the binoculars.

What a view!

The kids wouldn't pose in the tiger. Apparently they've

become too cool to do this. So I posed!

"Look, a baby box turtle!"

Aren't they cute!

We've enjoyed lots of fun activities at our

local library this summer.

Here Doodles is painting a bird house.

What an artist.

Big K. enjoying the

painting. Her method, slow and methodical. His method,

paint everywhere!

This summer the kids participated in the

Fun Run for the first time. They ran a

half mile. Doodles was so nervous. K. loved

every minute of it.

The best part of any race, the goodies at the end.

After the run, we went to a local county

fair. We went to see a dog show.

It was the cutest fair I've ever been to. It was

so tiny. They had a performing clown who made

balloons to order. K. ordered a sword, of course, and Doodles

wanted a flower.

The next morning, we went

to watch Jon run the Boilermaker.

Here we are, waiting for Daddy!

What a fun summer we're having. I can't believe how fast the

time is going. When summer starts, it feels like we'll have

forever. I realized that it's going to be August in just a

few days. Before I know it, we'll be ordering our curriculum

and starting soccer again. Time just goes way too fast.

Hope you're summer has been as fun as ours!