Girls Day Out

Mid-August I had the chance for a girls day out with my college girlfriends. I was so happy to get away. With all our new life circumstances I am very rarely away from our children. Titus, Macey, & Baby Downing did come along, but they were content most of the time. We started the day with a bit of shopping at Target. Stephanie and I both found crib sheets we liked. Her for her new baby and me for Titus (we are hoping to move him to the girls' room by January) Then we went to Chipotle for lunch. This is such a yummy place to eat. I was excited we ate there as I hadn't eaten at one since we lived near Rockford. After lunch we went to get pedicures at the beauty school. This was a great option since they worked on all 6 of us at once. We finished off the day with ice cream at Coldstone. I always love catching up with my girlfriends and it was nice to visit with them with a few less interruptions (a.k.a. Grace, Faith, Sadie, Kinnick, Hannah, Micah, Kylie, Belle, & London) We are growing into quite a big group had we all been together. It would have been the perfect day if Courtney, Rachel, Lindsey, & JoniKay could have come!
You girls are the best and I love each one of you!

Vacation in the Ozarks

We had a mini vacation in the Ozarks with our extended family at the beginning of August. This year everyone got to come although not at the same time. Jeremy came over the weekend and then my dad came down on Monday.

While the pictures will show we had fun, they don't show how sick the kids were. Grace got sick the week before we left and none of them were feeling great. After a trip to see the pediatrician we felt hopeful they were at the tail end of a virus and went ahead and left for vacation early Saturday morning. However, this "3-4 day" virus lasted 2-3 weeks instead. So, by Wednesday night we ended up coming home.

One of the fun things we do each year is go to Minor Mike's. We usually go on the day it rains, but this year it was dry and scorching hot the entire time. So, we ended up going to escape the heat instead. This year Cody & Erin and Jake & Josie came too so the girls had LOTS of tickets to get fun prizes.

For the first time we road the ferris wheel.

When the girls were feeling okay we went and did fun stuff. In between they were on vicks, cough medicine, IB profen, and sleeping.

Titus started scooting while we were there for the first time.

On Sunday we went out on the lake on my grandpa's old boat. The girls begged to get in the lake. We also had some excitement when our very full boat started taking on water.
Gramy's fancy boutique, specializing in nail painting.
One of the fun activities we usually do each year is golf ball hunting. Mom, Cody, Josie, & Jake did go. But, due to the kids being sick and the heat we didn't get to participate. But, Uncle Cody did find lots of balls near our condo he shared with the girls. Grace's question, "Who hides all those white Easter eggs?"

We also did some swimming, although not as much as we normally would since the girls got tired so easily.

We spent two different nights at "The Strip." The first night we went to the Fudge & Candy Shop, The Dogpatch, & got ice cream. The night before Wesley & Kit went home we went to play ski ball. I seriously think it was 120 degrees in that place. It was SO hot. The kids had fun though.

I was so glad Jeremy got to go with us (even for just two days) this summer. After two summers of someone being sick on vacation I am hoping next summer will involve vacation memories that aren't altered by coughing and meds.

VBS

Saddle Ridge Ranch

Grace was slightly confused by the name Vacation Bible School. When we pulled up to the church the first night she said, "Mom, this is not a school this is our church."

My children have started the habit of picking up more than Bible knowledge at VBS.... I am still scared from the nightmare experience we had last summer when Grace brought home lice (i can barely type the word without a shiver running down my spine). This summer was a different unwelcome invader- a virus. A really nasty high fever, horrible cough, wipe you out for 2 weeks kind of virus. Grace actually only got to attend VBS for two nights and then had to stay home sick. So, that was a bummer. Faith however went for two additional nights all by her big girl self. I was so proud! She cracked me up swinging her little arm doing the lasso action and saying, "I gotta go do that song." They were both proud of the cowgirl vests they made.

I enjoyed helping in the two year old classroom, which was different as I have always been a teacher. But, this was a great match for me this summer with having a small infant. Titus did great in the nursery (even though he was up late). I am looking forward to our family being more fully involved next summer!