The heat of summer (July part 1)

Well July has past quickly.   

We got back from vacation and tried to jump back into our normal routine.  It was rough.  All of the stuff that you pack up and take gets piled up and dumped.  And, this time around there is no energy or motivation to deal with it.  It took about a week to feel like things were back in there place, and even then, the kids find a way to keep the messes coming. 

my two crazies. :)

She thinks she is so big.

Aurelia thinks it's so funny to do things she's not supposed to. She will quietly climb the stairs and then when you find her she will giggle like a little hyena. 

At the end of June she turned 9 months old.  I know it's cliche but it is just killing me how fast time goes.  

She is such a stinker and so much fun.  And, picture taking is getting so much more difficult. 

Hehehe....

little model 

:)

oh baby girl... 

As always Gideon must join in the picture taking.

 We went to Aurelia's 9 month check up.  The TV was playing some kids cartoon with puppies. 

It got a little intense...hehe

Aurelia LOVES dogs!

Why do doctors always make you wait forever?? I usually come prepared with books, toys, and snacks, but eventually everything breaks down and it's survival of the fittest until the doctor comes in the room. 

Getting in to everything...even in the doctors office

She weighed in short and chunky. Only the 12th percentile for height. hehe. 

Gideon got a Moana Sticker!!! *facepalm*

Jenny's girls obsess over dragons, Gideon likes Disney princesses... hehehe

 He loves Moana. He's only seen clips and listened to some of the songs (which are very catchy fun songs btw) but he loves Moana, and Maui, and the pig, and the rooster.  He can sing most of the songs by heart (which isn't saying much, he can memorize any song in a very short time) and he loves to sing them loudly, along with the rest of his repertoire, going through the grocery store. 

We headed over to the farm then to play with Jack and meet Logan! Matt and Lena had Logan right before we left for Wyss vacation, so we finally got to meet him. He's a cutie and looks just like Jack. 

Logan :)

Aurelia added a new skill to her resume: Standing!

what a big girl!

For the 4th, we went to the parade in the morning. 

looking festive

Aurelia got to meet a VERY big dog. She was not at all intimidated.

Great Danes are so cool. 

tractors!

:)

Gideon loves fire trucks, but they were just too loud.

There were a ton this year 

We attempted to take a nice picture of the kids before we left for supper and fireworks. 

This one turned out pretty good. 

But, the outtakes are almost just as good...

We had supper at the farm and celebrated Cadence's birthday before heading to fireworks. 

We watched fireworks at Ron and Kary's as usual. 

They have such a cool play set.

Aurelia and Gideon both enjoyed the fireworks. So that was nice. Aurelia got cranky near the end because she was tired, but otherwise it went well. 

Dad harvested the wheat later in the week. Gideon got to ride along for a while.  I think everyone was singing "Tractor Tractor" at some point. 

:)

tractor, tractor harvesting the wheat
tractor, tractor harvesting the wheat
harvesting the wheat
harvesting the wheat
tractor, tractor harvesting the wheat

What a beautiful sight

It poured one afternoon.

Gideon and I ran out with the umbrella to 'help' Nathan get in from the car

And, since it rained so much so quickly, I decided to check my suspicions, and as soon as it cleared up, we headed to the church parking lot. 

It flooded!

:)

what a bud

They had so much fun

hehe

Other neighbors came out and played too. Someone even got out a kayak.  Every time we pass the parking lot now Gideon says "Oh no! it dried up."

We've spent some more mornings/afternoons out in our little pool. Though, the heat is making it less fun. 

stinker made it even further without being found...

We try to remember to close the gate, but between Gideon leaving it open on purpose or one of us forgetting, she sometimes can sneak up. 

Nathan went to Medieval Times with a bunch of his friends for a bachelor party. He brought Gideon his crown...

So proud hehe

this just makes me smile

 My dahlias are blooming!  I have a few plants blooming a ton but there are a few others that are far behind. I'm hoping to get some pale pink ones. 

another day at the farm...:)

drinking daddy's smoothie

Why are kids so gross?

She thinks the bolt cap is the best thing ever. Odd child. 

coloring on the patio :)

Someone couldn't wait for the muffins

there she goes again

We found Faire coffee again

*love love love*

We went to the pool one afternoon with Lori and Cliff.  Gideon had fun but he doesn't like to float away. Aurelia has no fear yet so she has to be watched like a hawk.  I don't get to just lay out like I used to. ha. 

:)

On the 12th, I went to Chicago to do a training for an adoptive mom for work.  The kids spent the day with Grandma. 

swimming at the farm

Nathan, Bob, Matt, and a few others organized a board gaming convention.  I stayed as far away from the planning as I could. Not that men can't plan, but their style of planning stresses me out.  Anyway, I stopped by both Friday and Saturday.  It sounds like it went well despite the small turn out.  They are already discussing and planning for 'next year' so if you like board games...

The game library

Gideon even got to play a bit 

 While the guys were off playing, we spent some time at the farm. Jake and Rachel were in town for a reunion. 

these kids

We got them coordinating chairs

Sunday, the 14th, we went to Eureka Lake in the evening.  

The park was a hit

hehe

my two

She had so much fun.

Life just keeps moving. We are definitely enjoying summer.

Still more of July to come...

In Christ
~Michelle