July Keeps on Going

Here are some more of our outings and everyday life from the second half of July.

Hazel really enjoys hummus. Especially with her fingers.

 On Saturday, July 27th, Sarah came over for the afternoon and for a sleepover. Cody had been out of town for the week at a Mommy Blogger Conference in Chicago and we had Cameron Kelly and family coming to spend the night as well. It was a bit of a hectic week for me but we were very excited to have Sarah come and play. I promised the kids I would take them for Happy Meals and Sweet Frog frozen yogurt. We barely made it home before our guests arrived but the kids enjoyed all of their treats.

Pepper's face just kills me and Hazel feeding herself with two spoons!

So proud of being a big girl.

 Before Cameron and family arrived, Bekah and her family came over as well to surprise them. Bekah, Cameron and I all studied theatre together at Ricks College from 98-99. I have some of the best memories with these two lovely people and I'm so glad our families get to be friends as well.

The Adams and Kelly clans.

Love them!

One Sunday afternoon, the weather was so beautiful we decided to take a walk after dinner. We headed over to Ft. Island Park and headed out. Unfortunately, the mosquitoes also thought it was a good evening to be out so after we fed the big, ugly catfish, and started walking through the woods, we realized we needed to make it a quick walk. If we stopped too long, they descended on us. It was more like a run through the woods by the end.

The kids were begging to go to the playground and since our walk had to be cut short, we relented and had a grand time. We pretty much had the place to ourselves, except a few other kids who were very pleasant and played very well with ours. Lovely evening.

Love the clouds in this shot.

Playing pirates.

She's just about perfect this one!

On Tuesday morning, the 23rd, we headed back to Ft. Island with Emily and Elsie for some more fun.

These two girls are just too cute.

On Wednesday, playgroup was at Edgewood Park in Barberton at their splash pad. Sadly, the weather did not cooperate with our plans and it was a slightly cold, rainy morning. A bunch of people turned out to play anyway, and the kids were all set to play in the water so we let them go. Everyone had a great time till they started to turn blue.

Kami and I headed over to the Barberton McD's and let the kids warm up by running around and eating nuggets. Turned out to be a very fun morning.

My handsome gamers.

Every Thursday morning, we head over to the Main Library downtown for storytime. I like having a somewhat predictable schedule even during the summer. The kids love going to the library to get new books and hearing the stories and doing the crafts. I love libraries!

Oh, Pepper! hahaha

You have to park in a parking garage for the main library. I was backing out of my spot and was a little distracted and moving a bit too fast. There was a little wall that I couldn't see with my back up camera and I smashed into it. I was so worried that I hurt the door or something important but luckily all I did was mess up the look of my bumper. Poor van.

Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon in July all three kids had swim lessons at the University of Akron rec center. We were able to join a program by the Red Cross and the lessons only cost us $5 per kid for the whole session. They even covered the cost for the $12 parking pass. It was a bit hard having the lessons from 5 to 6 because of dinnertime but we managed with a car picnic and had a great time swimming twice a week.

The girls walking along the lazy river waiting for their classes to start.

One afternoon we headed over to Cody's work to have lunch with him. It is hard to go during the school year and the older kids usually miss out so it's fun to go when we can.

Pepper always insists on a picture with this guy.

Happy girl.

We had some friends over for Sunday dinner and our kids decided that meant it was dress up time.

Captain Hazel.

Joe and Josette Ellebruch hanging out with our crazy crew. Josette is the nursery leader and babysits for us sometimes. The kids, especially Hazel, just love her. Hazel wasn't so sure about Joe, however, and kept a very close eye on him.

Summer Monday mornings meant gymnastics for Morgan and Pepper. Hazel gets to hang out with me in the loft area and watch everyone else play. One day, Hazel, one day.

FHE game time with Disney Headbandz. Hazel wandered around with the headband and card while the other two and I played.

One morning, the MOMsclub went blueberry picking at.... Emily, Elsie and two of Bekah's boys joined us on our adventure. Here we are heading over to the yummy bushes. Morgan is sporting the bucket hat.

Pepper and Eli hard at work.

Morgan took the farms owner at heart when she told the kids to eat as many as they wanted.

Emily and Elsie.

The boys decided they needed to pee all at the same time.
Don't worry I made sure they weren't any where near the blueberries.

Not only did the owner tell the kids to eat the blueberries but she handed out free otter pops at the end.
Love this place!

Hooray for friends and summer days!

Can you see how sweaty and dirty Hazel is? That baby!

Another playgroup outing was at Lesli Smith's house. Their backyard and playroom made all the kids very, very happy.

Avi and Pepper in the hammock swing.

Avi trying out the zip line.

Bekah's youngest two. Emma and Eli.

Pepper trying out the zip line. I was impressed with how brave everyone was.

Kami getting ready to go. This doesn't really do justice how high that green platform is. I'm standing down hill from it.

I was pretty sure I was going to chicken out but I managed and it was fun.

Preggo Bekah didn't want to be left out of the fun.

Cute momma!

Elizabeth Nielson taking a turn.

Morgan's turn.

Such a handsome guy!

I love this self portrait of Pepper I found on my phone!

This one of her chubby foot was pretty cute too.

On Wednesday, July 24th our ward celebrated Pioneer Day with a party in the parking lot. Each different group had different activities set up and Bishop Davis told us a pioneer story of one of his ancestors. Cody, unfortunately was out of town, but the kids and I had a great time.

The girls at the primary coloring paper quilt table.

Missionaries trying out the stick pull game.

Another primary activity, and probably the most popular, was panning for gold/treasure in red wheat buckets.

I was in charge of the primary jump rope area. I was surprised how many kids had never jumped rope before. Also, we had lots of little girls at first but quickly became very popular with the boys and adults, mainly men. It became a big competition to see who could get through the whole "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear..." chant and run out. One man and one little girl were the only ones to manage it. It was a lot of fun and reminded me of my childhood.

Making music at library storytime.

Momsclub outing at Croghan park playground.
Hazel stealing a baby doll from Ruby Keller.

The playgrounds in Copley/Fairlawn have "camp counselors" set up at each park during the summer weeks. They have games and other activities for the kids and supervise the playground areas. Such a great idea when the kids want to get out of the sun and keep playing. Gives the moms a break, too!