Summer time is here again

Eliza wanted to get her teeth brushed with ski goggles on, because who doesn't?

The garden in the beginning of June, got it enclosed and a few things planted.

We went shopping for plants at a nursery one day after swim class because it was raining. Eliza and Evan played in the rain and puddles while I shopped. 

When we got to the car I pulled their boots off and had to dump the water out of them. They were soaked from head to toe even with boots and rain coats. But they had a fun time.

We had a large tree removed from behind our house that was leaning towards our house. The kids really enjoyed watching the guys work while taking it down. They even used this fancy tool instead of climbing the tree. Only thing was that the kids kept asking for suckers because the workmen were pretty heavy smokers.

We went to dinner with Dad and Jodi and then had ice cream at DQ for Father's day.

The last box fort for the kids has been assembled. We had multiple configurations before moving forward with this one.  We're now out of big boxes in the house.

Eliza's room is complete

And she's loving it. She started climbing out of her crib this week, so we'll be putting on the other side soon so she can get in and out on her own.

My cool dudes at Meijer. 

We celebrated Aunt Jamie's birthday at Black Rock. Everyone enjoyed seeing each other. 

Mike broke out his old lego set and made his castle from when he was a kid.

We finally built Eliza's doll house that she got for Christmas. Now before bed while the boys are getting read to by either Mommy or Daddy, the other parent plays "Dolly House" with Eliza.

Evan on his last day of school

We finally are parting with our double stroller. The kids needed to get in it one last time before we gave it to a friend that was in need of it. She was a good stroller, she'll be missed.

Eliza got her own big wheel, so now we have a big wheel gang. Evan and Alex have blown out their axles within a month of each other. Thank goodness you can order parts instead of buying a new one. 

Eliza doing some light reading while getting a diaper change.

Eliza eating her first Smore. She thought they were too messy for her.

Everyone enjoying a cruise in the power wheel.

Alex's class had a picnic the last week of school. I decided to skip naps and take his siblings with me. They had fun with Frisbee's, water ballons, icy pops, pizza, cookies. Everyone had a fun time.

Last day of school for Alex. We have a 1st grader on our hands!

Alex gave Eliza a ride home from the bus on her big wheel. There's just enough room behind the seat so she can kneel.

Took Mike out for Father's day at a Mexican place near by.

Then we took the kids to ice cream for finishing the 100 book challenge from the library. We read 100 books to them before the end of the year!

Eliza sits and naps in funny ways in the car.

The boys were at VBS the week after school let out. They had a great time. This is on the final day of VBS.

They were surprised with the Wades coming to the final day because they just got back from England the day before. We were so lucky to see them. Eliza didn't know what to think of them.

I bought 1/2 gallon back pack squirt guns for the kids to play with this summer. They loved them! and they don't need to get filled up very often.

I had my 20 year high school reunion this month. About 100 people showed up, which is about half my class.

Eliza enjoying a game at Red Robin before dinner.

The joys of grocery shopping with the kids over the summer.

The kids had VBS the second week they were out of school at my MOPS Church. The theme was space, and they loved it. They had so much fun. Evan even got selected at the end of the week to dump slime on one of the leaders heads because they raised $1000 for their charity. 

I put a diaper on Eliza's head when I was getting her dressed and I couldn't help but take a picture. :)

I love when the kids help me in the garden. Watering, gathering food, testing the soil dampness, so much fun.

Radishes from the garden.

The nursery has now become and extra bedroom/sewing room for me. Just need to get a bit more stuff set up.

The kids have been making their own comic books lately, which is a lot of fun.

Alex and I were both down for the count on the 4th. I had bronchitis and then laryngitis and Alex we found out had Pneumonia.  We are both feeling better now, but we both have a cough still. 

On the 5th we headed to the lake house with Grandma and had a nice evening out there swimming and spending time together with the Wades.

The boys enjoyed the water.

Clara and Eliza playing hide and go seek with the boys.

We stayed for the fireworks as well. The kids got to see their first firework show.

They really enjoyed it.

Eliza and Evan like to eat the dill and other herbs in the garden while I'm working out there. Evan always picks a piece of dill and munches on it while he's hanging out.

The kids at Alex's appointment where we confirmed he was sick.

This week we traveled to Lansing to visit with my friend Julie from college and her two cute kids. We played at the play structure for a few hours, had lunch, played some more, went for ice cream (see below) played some more, and then headed home. Only one kid stayed awake on the way home.

Yum ice cream!

Evan asked for a new train track this week so I made one for him. The kids have been playing with it a lot. 

This week we made cookies to stay out of the sun for a bit.

The kids finished products.

I just love these guys.

Alex sadly took a face plant into the floor at the bottom of the steps this week. Thankfully he was able to save Eliza from getting hurt, she was on his lap. But now he looks like he's been roughed up pretty good and his goose egg I think will look pretty bad next week. 

Hope everyone is having a great summer and staying cool!