July!

July Fun! We had a great July--the weather was very nice (for July) with plenty of warm (but not too hot) days perfect for playing outside, swimming, and having fun. We vacationed, saw family and friends, celebrated the 4th, enjoyed Greg's time off of work, and just had a really nice summer.

Celebrating the 4th!--
We had a nice Hot-dog and Smore's Roast at Papa's house on the 2nd...perfect cousin time for the girls and a beautiful night to enjoy being outside.

We headed to Frieda's annual Fourth of July celebration for lunch and enjoyed visiting with the Wehmeyer family. It's always good to catch up a couple of times a year!

Then we headed to Gramma Jan and Grampa Bill's house for more celebrating and fireworks!

And after putting Lauren to bed (so tired!), Hannah and Jan and I went out to the big fireworks display in downtown Columbia. A beautiful display and a gorgeous night...perfect for Hannah's first ever "big" fireworks display!

More Columbia Fun!

I include this one not because it's a good picture, but because it was a good memory :) Hannah and Sam at GGA's house catching fireflies...Hannah's first experience with fireflies! :)

The cousins swimming at Wilson's Beach Club! This was the day that Lauren went down the big slide with me and then would run as fast as she could to get back in line to go again!

A sweet walk with Aunt Teresa and Gramma Jan :)

Little Mate's Cove at Twin Lakes...so much fun and perfect little waterslides, splashgrounds, and play areas for the girls.

Stephen's Lake and Splash park with the Drymalski's!

And the Drymalski's came to Liberty to see us, too! Yay!

So for a week in July, we hosted Maggie and Sam here in Liberty and we had the best time! The kids played so well together and had all sorts of fun. I had brainstormed different ideas of fun things for them to do, and we did end up going to some fun places...but I think they really had the best time just playing together at home! They all went to Vacation Bible School together at our church in the mornings, and then the afternoons/evenings were filled with adventures. We hope this is an annual thing!

There were many art shows that week!!

Sample art for the art show...

...they worked in the art room for HOURS! Hannah is a huge fan of doing art, so this was paradise for her!

Perler beads...the new craze in this household! SO detailed and intricate...amazing they have the concentration to complete so many of these!

More of their display for the art show...they really worked hard!

The whole crew gathered to watch a movie...hard to get them all to sit still at the same time!

Yummy! Popsicles on the deck.

Fun Run...always good for some blurry action shots :) This is one of the kids' favorite places.

Paradise Park!

Maggie and I driving the bumper cars :)

Go-Karts! Maggie got to drive her own :)

Sam serving up "pizza" at Paradise Park pretend-play room

Mini-golf at Paradise Park...Maggie showing her awesome golf skills after golf camp/lessons!

One of the happier moments of putt-putt...have I mentioned  Hannah is REALLY competitive?!

Rock climbing wall!

Lauren and I goofing off in the morning. She is a real snuggle bug when she gets up (around 6:00) and loves to be held and to be wrapped up in her blankie. A nice way to slowly wake up at an early hour! I remember Hannah used to always wake up and immediately be ready to PLAY! :)

Making the big cookie! I asked Maggie if she could do anything while she was in KC, what would it be...and she said to make a big cookie! We made and decorated it and it was quite a cookie!

At the Drum Corp International Show in Warrensburg, MO. We went down to see the show for a new experience and to show the kids the corps that Greg used to be in. It was awesome...I think the kids were maybe ready to go home by 11:00 p.m., though!!! Yikes!

In late July, we headed to the Lake of the Ozarks with Dave's family and Carla's family for a week of fun. We had a lake house with a pool very close, so we swam, relaxed, played, swam some more, and occasionally took outings. I'm so thankful we had this time together and so thankful that our girls had the time to spend with their Dyer and Alexander cousins. Such a fun week and we hope to do another family vacation soon!

Lauren "walking" Marley in the house :)

Kate finally getting a big hug from Lauren :) The cousins were trying all week to get hugs from her!

Grace and Maggie baking some yummy cookies!

Hannah working on some puzzles and coloring when she was up before everyone else :)

Lo-lo and her buddy, Uncle Dave. She has always loved being around Uncle Dave and they had a great time on the trip. He has a calming way with her and she does great around him.

Lauren "checking out" Marley and playing doctor :) I've said it before, but that dog is the BEST dog ever!! I don't even want a dog really, but I would take Marley in a heartbeat. Amazingly patient!

Kate and her little look-alike :) When asked what she'd like...ever...during the trip, Hannah's response was "I want what Kate's having!" :) Such little Miss Independent, except around Kate!

Big Surf! What a fun, fun day. We were there a LONG time!!

They rode the "rapids" ride approximately 25 times...I don't even think that is exaggerating! The big kids were so great with Hannah and helped her carry her tube up :) Such great kiddos :)

At the end of a long, fun, day of waterslides!

A great shot of Carla, Jon, and Alex!

Kate and Lauren going for a morning walk.

Lauren trying putt-putt for the first time :)

Hannah happy to be putt-putting too :)

Go-Karts!!

Hannah outside the giant playland at Miner Mike's. This place is unlike any other I have ever been to...and I have been to A LOT of kids' places!! Wow...it is LOUD and FUN and when you leave you enjoy the silence like you've never enjoyed it before :) We had a great time there and Lauren even got to ride a roller-coaster!

More Miner Mike's

Bumper Cars!

Mini Ferris Wheel

Back at home...Lauren having a great time playing outside. Playing with water is still one of her favorite things...bathtime, water table, playing in the sink...this could occupy her for an hour!!

Brave Hannah in the dentist chair :)

All done and no cavities! A great report!