Things that make you go hmmmm...

Mason came home from school with this beauty of a drawing. And I asked him the million dollar question: Uh, what in the world is on your dude's pants?

To which he matter-of-factly replied: Dusty Crophopper.

I don't see that, but I really hope he told his teacher the same thing...

Our getaway. In selfies.

Caleb and I skipped town sans kiddos for a quick trip to Michigan's side of the lake. 

[appreciating our first meal without having to prompt others to eat!]

[we took a very entertaining dune buggy ride. This is us high above Lake Michigan.]

[then we hit up Oval Beach. If you try really hard, you can trick yourself in to thinking you are in the Caribbean!]

[then we hiked up 300+ steps to the top of Mt. Baldhead. And once we finally caught our breath we were able to enjoy the spectacular view!]

[the only non-selfie. Woah, that really is a lot of steps!]

[back to the beach to check out the sunset!]

[then we picked--and ate and ate and ate--blueberries.]

[and on our way home we stopped to shop, eat, and say hello to this lighthouse.]

It was a nice retreat, and we are already thinking about bringing the whole family next year... Crazy?

Carnival Rats

The festival was in town, so Caleb and I jumped at the chance to drop an insane amount of money for the kids to sample a few rides. It was Camryn's first experience with carnival rides, and she LOVED it! And, as expected, the boys both had a blast. 

A fun time had by all!

Picture Perfect

A cousin--and Caleb--selfie. Rainbow included. 

Best babysitter. Ever!

The swing set: another one of "I will never, ever own one of those" items. Caleb installed it last weekend, and everyone loves it. Not sure about the look of it in my yard, but since it keeps the kids busy and allows me to parent from the patio with a mommy drink, I will give it 2 thumbs up!

Overgrown.

Our vegetable planter is growing like a weed. We have already picked three squash, some strawberries, a pepper, and a tomato. And next year I will do my darnedest not to plant an acre's worth of plants in a five foot box!

Here is the selfie I found on my phone of our very diligent gardener holding a freshly picked squash! 

Snuggled.

Jacob's room has provided us with front row seats for several evening thunderstorms this summer. The perfect activity for a kid who says he is going to be a meteorologist when he grows up!

Firepit Ready

In preparation for the weekend, Mason decided that kindling would be a good project to work on at the gym's daycare while I got in my exercise. He even told the teachers that he needed it for all of his fires. Pyro in training?

Not summer weather.

Coats in July? Certainly not my first choice!

Selfie Session

Just passing some time with my leading lady. Love my sweet little sidekick! 

The 4th. Recapped.

Wow, that was a fast long weekend! We spent the weekend eating and drinking our way through the neighborhood, catching and releasing tons of lightning bugs, seeing some of the most awesome illegal neighborhood fireworks, staying up way later than any of us should have, swimming, slip and sliding, fishing, and making new friends. And this is the only picture I have to show for it:

Crash and burn!!!!

This was the first year that Camryn showed any interest in fireworks, and she LOVED them. She dubbed the sparkly fireworks "princess ones!" 

And now we all need to go into detox mode to settle down from the fun we all had! Hooray for summer!

Deer!

I told the kiddos to run after this deer who was grabbing a late morning snack at my parents' house. And when it didn't move, I quickly aborted that mission. No need to find out if deer eat bratty kids for snacks.