Happy Fourth of July

 I didn't get many pictures of the fourth of July this year but I did snag a few of the kids in the Centerville Children's parade.  That has been a fun tradition for our family each year.

Summer fun at the zoo with Cousins

During the Summer My Sister in Law Liz came to visit for a few weeks so when my brother came to town  we took a trip to the zoo.  I was so impressed with the zoo since I had last visited.  The kids had such a great time.  We saw the new bear exhibit and the new Rocky Shores.  That was so much fun watching the polar bear swim. We even watched the bird show.  That was my favorite part of the zoo.  Those birds are amazing and so fun to watch.

Waiting for Lunch in the hot hot sun.

We love Grandpa Pork

We went to see Grandpa Pork one day and caught him riding his tricycle.  We love watching him ride his bike.

Grandpa Pork riding his bike.

We LOVE Grandpa Pork!!

Happy Birthday Lexi!

In June we celebrated Lexi's 6th birthday.  I can't believe 6 years have flown by.  It has been so much fun watching Lexi learn and grow and develop into a beautiful little lady. She loves birthdays just as much as I do.  She starts to count down the day after her birthday for the next year.  Silly girl. I wonder where she gets that from?
 For her birthday we had some friends over in the morning and did some chalk painting on the driveway, had fun playing in the water and bounced on the tramp with water balloons.  It was so fun watching the kids laugh and have such a fun time together.  Thanks to my amazing sister in law Liz she helped decorate and kept the party rolling.  I couldn't of done it without her. I am so glad they were here to celebrate with us.  We had pink and purple cupcakes.  In the evening we had family over and Rodrigo made Lexi's favorite Ribs and Hot wings.  I think this is what she looks forward to every year because we only get Ribs on special occasions since they are such a process to make.  We also had fun hitting the pinata and spending time with our family.  Lexi wanted a purple Rapunzel cake.  Happy Birthday Lexi we love you.

Lexi waiting on the curb for her friends to arrive.

Painting

Aubrey and Gavin painting amazing pictures

Jumping with water balloons

Jane and Maya

Gavin testing out the water

BFF's

Lexi loves blowing out the candles

The Gang

All that playing leads to a well deserved rest.

Getting ready for the pinata

Aubrey loving those ribs

Lexi and her Cameron

Add caption Lexi's birthday cake

Happy Birthday Lexi!!!

Camp Kiesel

Roderick went to his first day camp for Scouts.  He was a little nervous but excited at the same time.
He had a really great time.  Some of the activities he learned was canoeing, leather work,  BB gun shooting with lots of other fun activities.  Thanks to his wonderful den leader she took some fun pictures.  Thanks Joni!!

Leaving for Camp Kiesel

The Pack

Roderick, Bridger and Nate

Lexi and her Baby Tomatoes

Last year when Grandpa pork had baby tomatoes in his garden Lexi asked if she could try one.  And after that experience she became obsessed with baby tomatoes.  She loves them so much so this year she asked if she could grow her own baby tomato plant.  She did an excellent job watering and taking care of her plant and on her 6th birthday she was able to pick a couple of them.  That was the best birthday present for her.  Her tomato plant went crazy and has grown huge and has been producing tons of tomatoes.  She comes home everyday from school and goes straight to her plant and picks a couple of tomatoes for her after school snack.  She is so proud  of her tomato plant.

Lexi showing Grandpa Pork her plant

Watering her tomatoes

Lexi picking her first tomatoes on her birthday!

Showing me her tomato

So proud!!

Posing for the camera!

Echo Lake

There is nothing like being spontaneous and deciding to go somewhere at the last minute.  I think not having a plan sometimes make it that much more adventurous.  We decided to pack up and go camping at Echo Lake.  It was about a 45  min drive which I liked.  We usually take the pop up trailer on our camping adventures but decided to try a tent this time. I really loved it.  When we arrived  the guy said well pick your spot wherever you would like.  It is totally open around the lake so we set camp up right on the beach.  It was so fun.  There was a beautiful sunset.  The kids and Rodrigo had a fun time playing in the water.    They did some body boarding, built some sandcastles and had fun floating on there floaties.  We made a small fire on the beach and roasted hot dogs and made the kids favorite camping treat S'mores.  It was a nice little weekend get a way.

Rodrigo and the kids testing out the water

Rodrigo showing us his skills

Roderick following his dad

Beautiful Sunset

The water was a little cold but that didn't stop them

Rodrigo relaxing on his wooden post

I can't tell you how many smores the kids made

Breakfast is the best part about camping

Eating in the tent.  The kids LOVED the tent.

The girls building sand castles