Wrapping up summer break

 7/14 - I took the boys to visit my family for a few days.  We got to go to a fun outdoor concert where my Aunt Naomi was singing.  The boys had fun running around and Levi even did some dancing.

 My Grandma Lucy came with us to the concert too.

 The park had a really cool fountain area to run around in - the boys loved it.  I was not prepared with swim attire, so they both basically rode back to my parent's house naked, but it was worth it for all the splashing fun!

 7/15 - we left from my parent's house and drove up to Hannibal, MO to visit my brother and his family.  I got to see their new house, the kids got to play with their cousins, and we hit some of the local tourist attractions.  Here's Levi at a fun local restaurant that has stuff for the kids to play with/climb around on while you wait for the food.  Why doesn't every restaurant offer that?!  :)

 Then we walked around some of the kid attractions - they had a koi pond, bumper boats, and lots of mechanical things to ride on.  Levi loves trains so this was right up his alley!

 Then we went to the Mark Twain cave, made famous in the Adventures of Tom Sawyer book by Mark Twain.  It was really fun - a walking tour with a lot of narrow passageways.  Both of the boys loved it!

 We spent some time exploring downtown Hannibal and shopping , and then spent that night with my brother.  The next day Josiah had to check out their great climbing tree.

 Before heading out of town we picked up a few more things at the mercantile, ate some lunch, and visited the local chocolatier (yummy gelato!).  It was great to spend time with our Hannibal family!

 7/16 - back to my parent's house and then to Fulton to see my Grandma again.  She happened to be dropping cookies off at the fire station, so we stopped in and got to check out some fire trucks!  The boys were in heaven.

 Afterward we hung out at my Grandma's house for a few minutes before heading home.  It was a fun trip!

 7/18 - a fun pic of Josiah at swim lessons.  He has overcome his fear of getting his face wet!

 Our backyard visitor.  This pic was taken in early evening.  This brave little fellow lived in the tree in our front yard.  Immediately after we would feed the cats, he would climb down and eat their food.  He was getting a little too brave (i.e. coming out during daylight and right behind our house), so Jason bought a trap and this little guy met his demise.  We feel bad killing animals like this, but you don't know what diseases they are carrying so it's really safer for everyone.  A moment of silence to mourn his passing...and moving on.  :)

7/21 - Levi has been practicing sitting on the potty - and actually did pee in the potty on 7/17!  I think it was a fluke, but any progress is good!

 7/27 - we dropped the kids off with Jason's parents and had a little time to ourselves.  Josiah planned this with Jason's mom - he loves his grandparents and also loves watching unlimited TV, playing with cousin Trent, and eating lots of snacks.  :)  Jason and I spent Saturday working cattle and working in the garden.  The cattle were not very cooperative, but we survived.  That night we had a date night in Springfield.  It was fun and relaxing.  We went to Bair's (a local burger joint), and then out for ice cream. 

 This is the smallest one of three giant zucchini I have gotten from the garden.  Not sure how I keep missing them!  But I now have a freezer full of grated zucchini.  The 50' garden is keeping me busy!

 8/14 - just a cute pic wearing daddy's boots!

 8/17 - Levi decided (unprompted) that he wanted to sit on Josiah's lap. 

 8/21 - Josiah's first day of Kindergarten!  He'll be going full days, three days a week.  He looks so big in this picture!

 His teacher, Mrs. Bowles.  She does such a great job!  He had her in preschool also.

My Josiah is getting so big!  He had a great first day and is especially excited to be able to ride the bus this year!  I am a little sad that summer break is over, but I am thankful I still get to keep him at home 2 days a week.  :)  Love my kiddos!

More Summer Fun!

 6/28 - 6/30: We went on a super fun camping trip to Johnson's Shuts-Ins State Park with some great friends.  Here we are at the Shut-Ins (where we went Saturday morning) - it's like a natural water park!  Levi was not very happy - he had not slept much the night before and didn't like the lack of sure footing.  But we still had a great time playing in the water (and dragging Levi along with us).  These first six pictures are courtesy of Nate and his fancy camera - thank you!

  

 

 

 Saturday afternoon we went to Elephant Rock - giant boulders to climb around on.  Josiah had a blast and got a little braver than we were comfortable with!  :)  Thankfully no injuries, and smiles all around.

Sunday morning we decided to find the highest point in Missouri, which was nearby.  After some driving around we finally found the right spot - and "hiked" about a .3 mile paved trail to get there.  Not really a challenge! 

 Tired kiddos on the way home!

 7/1 - curious calves :)

 Our last baby!  All cows and calves are healthy and had unassisted deliveries!  Super thankful.

 7/4 - this is about all the excitement we had celebrating our country's birthday.  :)  The kids were impressed so that's all that matters.

 7/6 - Levi's 2nd birthday!!  We had a really fun time celebrating.  First he opened presents, then we took everyone outside to enjoy the weather and show them around the farm.  Levi loves being outside so it worked out great!  It even turned into a "garden party" of sorts, as we ended up picking green beans and sending them home with guests as party favors.  :)

 Note: the back of his new Hulk shirt says "I'm always angry".  This is just about the perfect shirt for my quick tempered little man!

 All the party guests.

 Birthday boy!

 Josiah even had a special superhero shirt to wear.

 All the food I made for the party was green (and everyone ate it!).  We had green grapes, avocados, lettuce, cucumbers, spinach wraps, and broccoli salad.  We also had some green salsa and chips (which weren't green). 

 Then birthday cake!  Which of course the Hulk tried to smash.  ;) Many thanks to my mom for making and decorating the cake!!  She is amazing. 

 After the party - family pics (Jason's favorite thing!):

 In this one, Josiah handcuffed me and Levi was trying to get me to hold him.  :)  Love these kids!

We are enjoying the month of July!  It is much more laid back than June was!  Levi got a pool from his Mi Mi for his birthday (which he calls "bath"), so the kids have had fun staying at home a lot more and splashing around in that.  Josiah has started swim lessons again and is doing great.  We've gotten in a schedule of sleeping in which I love for now, but when school starts next month we're going to have a big adjustment!