July 2020

In July we had Russ and Katie and their family, Lizi and her family, and of course Mom and Dad over for some 4th of July fun and a quick camping trip to Mueller State Park. The kids always love seeing their cousins - never a dull moment. I was not feeling very well so we didn't get tons of pictures, but I want to remember every minute of the kids at this stage. They are all changing so fast!

Making a fire has got to be one of the best parts about camping.

Swinging in the hammock was also a highlight for the kids. We had a couple of them set up and everyone's favorite pusher was Uncle Russ. Only one kid (Alice) threw up after being swung upside down and around too many times.

Gotta love it when your brother helps you in...Jake and Bryce crack me up.

Cousin friends while hiking. This is Bryce and Lexi.

Macy LOVES climbing rocks like the big kids.

Clara and Ellie spent a long time making colored pebbles together. They were so proud of their work.

Ellie, Alice and Clara sharing a camping chair.

Macy and Bryce loved riding their balance bikes together.

Lexi loves babies and Gracey was no exception.

We got out our bouncer for baby Grace and Mac seemed to think it was his new bed. He's going to be in for a surprise when baby boy gets here and he's kicked out of the baby seat!

Newborn snuggles do a pregnant momma's heart good. Grace is a little angel.

We took a while to recover from our family visiting, but the rest of the July was filled with fun shenanigans at home. Cole started taking cello lessons this summer and is working hard at figuring out his new instrument.

Macy is forever dressing up in whatever she can find. Isn't she the cutest?!

Clara has recently taken on the chore of helping unload the dishwasher and she thought this whisk made the perfect turkey tail.

We had quite a few rain showers during July afternoons and the girls had so much fun playing in the rain and jumping on the wet trampoline.

I often looked out the back window to see Clara just laying in the grass with her puppy enjoying the summer sunshine. She is such a happy, content little girl.

The other common site I would see is Macy digging in the dirt with her light-up rain boots on and a bucket and shovel.

We made one visit to the splash pad this summer, and despite all of the cleaning breaks and social distancing rules, the kids loved it.

Macy got her first haircut! At 2 1/2 yrs old her hair has grown long enough that it was turning into a mullet and needed some trimming. She loves it long though so I can braid it like Elsa's and big sisters'.

It is a very rare occurrence when any of my children fall asleep anywhere but in their bed, so I was soaking up all the 2-yr-old snuggles I could after Macy missed a nap one day.

Officially 19 weeks pregnant and counting. Are we there yet?