4th of July - Part 2

 Jon had to work an overnight on July 3rd and 4th, so I knew if the kids wanted to go to the Murray Parade and/or run the 5K race that I'd have to do it on my own.  I asked the kids what they wanted to do and no one was dying to go - phew!  That meant a nice, relaxing morning!

We got all dressed up for the day and took a few pics!

 Photo taken by Hannah

 

 

After the water fight at my parent's house, we came home and got the house ready for our big family party.  Jon had smoked some pork overnight, so other then keeping the house picked up, I had a pretty easy job.

 

As soon as people started to come, we made them do pictures in the front yard.

 

 

 This is rare these days to get Jack to smile good for a photo - you'll see in the next several pictures what I'm talking about.

 

 These are all my parent's grandkids - minus Brooklyn, Jake & Remmy :(  They were in AZ.

Mike is engaged to a wonderful girl named Mandy and Mandy has two beautiful daughters - Zoey & Alyssa.  We are so, so excited to have them joining our family.  They've fit right in!  We love them!

 

 Misty, Max, Sophia & Rich

 

 Mandy, Zoey, Mike & Alyssa

 

 Our family - Lindsey (12), Kate (8), me (too old to admit my age), Hailey (3), Hannah (5), Jack (10), Jon & Emily (14).

 

 Kate specifically asked for a picture with just her and Sophia.  They are good little buddies.  This was Sophia's first smile.  Then I said "Say, Kate is my buddy..."

 

 And this is what we got :)

 

 

We had a yummy dinner (the Graf's, Cowden's,  Aunt Camille & Sandy and my friend Julie all came too).

 

Then, we had a fun quiz that my dad prepared about our founding fathers and our amazing country.  Then, we played "Never Have I Ever" in the front yard and then lit fireworks.  The evening was wonderful.   Jon left for work at 10:50 and all my kids were still up having a blast.



Happy Birthday America!

4th of July - Part 1

 We had a fun 4th of July!  We have such great memories in Ohio of celebrating the 4th with all of our friends.  We usually went to the Upper Arlington parade in the morning, to the Rasmussen's for a BBQ and then to the Bergeson's/Christensen's front yard to watch fireworks.  It was also just a year ago that my parents had just returned home from their mission in Moscow and I remember feeling such complete joy & happiness.  I think the 4th of July will always be that way for me. 

Jon worked an overnight the night before, so he came home to sleep.  The kids and I cleaned and picked up the house and then went to my parent's house to run through the sprinklers.  I remembered to take my camera, but not the battery (duh!), so thankfully, I just got a new phone and the camera on it isn't too bad.

Rich & Misty's family came over to play too and the kids all had a great time!

Kate was gracious enough to rub Rich's scalp while he blew up the ball.

 



Uncle Rich was simply trying to take a nap in the pool, but these little wet people came and woke him up :)

Quilts

There is never enough time to quilt - but I did manage to get a couple of done near the end of the school year (and a couple more after school got out - I'll post those as soon as their quilted).

Our wonderful principal retired this year and I just loved her.   I worked with her closely while serving as PTA Treasurer and PTA President and wanted to make something for her.  I debated whether or not to do a quilt that included all the student's names/signatures/etc., but it was at such a busy time of the year that it was too stressful to do.  So, I just picked some fabric and make her this quilt.  

 It's nearly impossible to see, but I had the quilter stitch in "Connie Amos  35 years  Murray School District" in the inner border.

 

I also have a new niece on the way - David & Sandy's little girl, Juliann,  is due at the end of this month and so I made them a quilt!  Can't wait to see what this sweet beautiful baby will look like!

While Jon & Emily walked the plains.....

 ..... the other 5 kids & I enjoyed daily outings!

Jon & Emily were able to go on pioneer trek a week and a half ago.   Jon went as the doctor and did such a great job.   He was prepared for nearly anything...he even took a backboard with him.   So many people have told me how great he was out there and how much they loved having him there.

Emily had a great time too!   I never worry about her because she has such a good attitude and is so easy to get along with.   They had some terrible rain hit the camp on the 2nd night, which broke tents and soaked sleeping bags & blankets.   She spent a long, cold night in a trailer (which they put several girls in thinking it would be warmer).  But, she did it with a smile on her face.  She loved her Ma & Pa and had a great time.

I had taken care of the publicity & registration for Trek.  It was quite a bit of work, but I enjoyed it.  I was invited to go on Trek, but when I was asked in January, I was pregnant (which I miscarried that same week) and then when I was asked again at the beginning of June, I had just found out that I had had another molar pregnancy.   So, another miscarriage.   I didn't feel like it was my time to go as I was recovering from that.  (More on my feelings & emotions in a different post).

Another BIG reason for me not to go was the other 5 kids!  

We had a good time - although I was totally, completely exhausted by the time Jon & Emily returned.   Lindsey was such a huge help and the other kids were good too.  We tackled potty training Hailey that week to - which has been pretty good.

One day, I took the kids to Lagoon.   One day, I took them to Thanksgiving Point to the new Museum of Natural Curiosity!   It was absolutely packed, but it was a really, really fun place.  The kids had a blast.  I ended up buying a year-long family pass, so it will be nice to go back when it's not quite for crowded.

Thankfully, most of the kids are big enough to let them go around the different things on their own - leaving me with Hannah & Hailey to watch.  I hadn't seen Jack for a little while in "Kidopolis" and I laughed when I looked up and saw the sign on the movie theater.  I knew right where he was!

They had a lot of fun things for the kids to do!

 
When we went outside, the kids waited in line about 30 minutes to do this zip line thing on the playground.   They all loved it too!

I tried to take some cute picture of the kids, but Kate was the only one who would have anything to do with it....