I haven't had a chance yet to tell you about our summer. Well-this is going to be an amazingly long blog post- BUT HERE GOES!!!!!!!!!!!
We started off the summer with swimming lessons. Swimming lessons began in the last week of June. We went every morning for My and Leo's nine 'o clock swimming lessons. We had a great time and then at 9:30 we left for home. Then later that morning we came back for the boy's swimming lessons at 11:00. It made for a pretty hectic week, but was enjoyed immensely! It was the first year for Rus and Tert, and they had lots of fun. After that we went home. We did different things in between swimming lessons all week. It was really a packed two week.
For the Fourth of July we had lots of fun! We had some Red, White and Blue waffles for a start. Then we did our swimming lessons in the morning, and we went to a circus in the afternoon, and to hit off the Fourth we went to watch fireworks ;) It was so much fun. Here are some pics...
Red, White, and Blue Choc. Chip Waffles... MMM!!!
Filia poses with Mater in her Fourth of July dress from Grandma and Grandpa P! Thanks so much Grandma and Grandpa!
Happy Fourth!
After the Fourth of July we finished swimming lessons. Both of the boys passed their younger swimming lessons and Leo and I both passed as well! We were sorry to finish swimming lessons, but eager to move on with our summer vacation. That week was also our family vacation and we did all sorts of fun things! It's amazing what things you can do when you are at your own home. ;)
It was a great time to catch up on projects that we forgot we had started, go fun places that we hadn't gone to for a long time, and most of all just kick back and relax!
We went to the ocean as one of our first things-and we had tons of fun there. I would post pictures but we just relaxed and didn't try to take too many pictures-and the ones I did take are somehow not loading very well.... :(
But we had fun! :D We loved just sitting on the beach and just staring out there, amazed at the beautiful sights. Everyone was really refreshed and happy when we left. On the way home Mom and Dad surprised us by stopping at the little ice cream shop near the ocean, and we all ordered our ice creams, and when we had finished slurping up the last few drops, we left for home. We enjoyed reading-The Yearling on our way to and back from the ocean. After we got home we quickly changed into pj's and snuggled cozily into our beds.
After the day at the ocean we camped out in our backyard. It rained and our stuff got soaked before Dad had time to put the rain cover on. We laughed as we noticed our dripping sleeping bags and pillows. We still slept in them, as it was family movie night and we had just finished watching Curious George 2.
We also went to Strawberry Banke, but as I already wrote a rather long post on that, I don't think I'll write about it again! :D
We went to a very clever play of the Secret Garden at the Capitol Center for the Arts. It was one of their Summer Plays. In the Summer Play Series they only have five actors in each play, but
they do a fabulous job! We enjoyed it and then went home to swim.
We had a yummy cookout and s'mores as well!
We enjoyed a day when Cousin E came over to help us make homemade ice cream. We all had
ice cream sundaes with rainbow and chocolate jimmies, chocolate sauce, Oreos and whipped cream! They were positively DEELICIOUS!
After the vacation week was over, we were ready for some more busy summer events. We had two weeks of VBS and we loved it! After finishing one week of VBS we went right onto another week of VBS! We enjoyed them immensely and were sad when they finally ended. But after VBS...
Came Junior Ranger Camp! At Junior Ranger Camp we learned all about nature and we explored habitats, caught frogs, fished, read, and topped it off with an ice cream party. It was really great.
After Junior Ranger Camp came my week of Dress Rehearsals for my play- Honk Jr. It was a drama group that I have been doing, and it was every Thursday at the Franklin Opera House. It was really fun. Every week they taught us games to do, and we learned how to do better at acting. The play itself we worked hard on. The play was a musical, and we sang and danced and had a blast! It was a version of the Ugly Duckling-a kid's version of the Broadway Musical. There were two performance nights. I was a goose. The geese were set to be like pilots- so we got these cute costumes with black pants, t-shirts, knee socks, bandanas, head masks, goggles, binoculars, and black shoes! Tert was constantly singing my song-Wild Goose Chase. It was sad when it ended, but it had been a wonderful experience!
I DID get some pictures for this one, but click here to see the professional pics. that were taken.
Geese-In a Single File Line-We're Off!!
Dad surprised me with roses after the performance.
I crocheted an Ugly Duckling!
After the last drama performance, we were thrown right into preparations for Uncle A's and Aunt S's wedding! We were very excited. I got a ton of pictures- and here are a few sneak peeks below! :D
For their wedding gift from me, I crocheted two little bunnies-a bride and groom!
All of Aunt S's inherited nieces and nephews!
Filia in her wedding dress! :D
Fila, Mater, and Great Grandma Z!
Bride and Groom
Marine Cousin Curt came to see the wedding! :D
Cousin Lyd with Rus and Tert
Dad and Mom
Whoa...
Uncle A with Lyd
Aunt S with Great Grandma Z.
Yay! Dirt-finally!!!
The Bride
Family Picture
Under the Veil
The Bride and Groom :)
Happy Aunt S!
Dad and Filia
Rus and Tert did some serious dancing at the reception! It was adorable!
Rus and Tert
Cousin K didn't know what he was in for when he caught the garter. He had to put it on the woman who caught the bouquet. He did it though, laughing and laughing!
Leo enjoyed dancing with the flower girl. Here they are!
So sweet!
We have had an awesome summer-and we hope that you have too!
By: Stella
