competitive

I think we might have a competitive one here... We adults wanted to play a game

 Genny wanted to be in the middle of it, I thought she just wanted attention.

 But she stuck it out through most of the game and after she lost interest with our game...

She started her own.

bbq

After a day of fun at the local carnival with my parents and Sabra + kids, (of which I have one picture on my phone and I don't know how to get it off.) we had Casey's parents, Cameron, Bryan, Puddy and families join us for a BBQ, card games, talk and fireworks.  I took so many pictures that night but this one is my favorite.  We had a good day.

on pointe

Hayli demonstrating you don't need toe shoes to dance on pointe.   :)

the dance conservatory

On the way towards the trailer, all smiles and ready to go!

I left one looking like she had just reached heaven... 

And one not sure being one of the big kids is all it was cracked upped to be.

 And the last one, off with friends with a job to do.  Not so much time for the mom with a camera.

As they came around the bend, Kate and Gen were to ride in the trailer and throw candy.  Kate loved it.  Gen sat on her teachers lap.

I did get a half wave after I chased the trailer for a block.

 All the parade girls post parade.  Really hot, a little thirsty and Hayli with a blister.  Apparently new shoes and a long walk not a good combo.  ( yes, I did know that could happen.)  Ella joined TDC this summer too, fun to have a cousin in your class.

 We love TDC!

The end.

parade

Guess what we did yesterday?

first position

Gentry's dream of going to dance came true this week! She kept saying, "I go to dance today!" she could hardly wait till 11:00. I can't wait till August to see her on the stage. The little ones always make me smile.

I want to try pictures again with a better lens. Hard to take pictures without her seeing me without zoom.

baby got new shoes

All the babies. 

They needed good parade walking shoes and who wouldn't need pink and purple to make the entire parade route more fun.

Parade is tomorrow, they can't wait!

got it

Notice the top of her head isn't wet?  Yep, she never quite goes all under, but she got the rings!  One day we will have to try it in a real pool, see how she does..

summer

Must be summer...

 when you change from pajamas right to your swimsuit.

Still a little chilly for the littlest, so glad for a big warm trampoline.

sights

 I love how Kate is lining up her sights.

fathers day

 We celebrated my Dad on Saturday this year and started the day shooting targets in the morning.  The kids had so much fun
FIRST they got to see and touch and even shoot all of Papa's guns something we try to avoid most other visits.
SECOND we spent the day with cousins that make us smile. 

We put up shade umbrellas and had a great time, blowing bubbles, playing cars, horseshoes and some even got some coloring in.  Some didn't care for the noise some of the big guns made.

Thanks Paige for the picture... see Hayli was there and she did have fun!

After awhile we headed back to our house for a BBQ and some slip-n-side action, a little tramp jumping, a lot of political talk, presents for the "fathers" and one or two of us might of ended with a face like this!

  (meet Izzi, the only non-blue eyed grand kid...1 out of 8)

We have learned that the more kids you can get on a tramp the better!  Tonight I tucked in, my exhausted, fun in the sun kids and counted it a good day.  Happy Fathers day.  

animals

We've been a little under the weather lately.  So sticking close to home.  Hayli is the worst off, she has strepthroat and her puffy cheek is back.  But no worries antibiotics are in her system and soon she will be just fine.  The rest just cold symptoms, and over all grouchy.

 On a slow afternoon while while watching sprout TV, Hayli made everyone a animal hat, Gen is a monkey, Hayli is a elephant.

 And Kate is a bunny,  amazing how sometimes they can act like they even like each other for a afternoon and have a good time just hanging out at home.

bobble head

 Is it wrong that I think its funny that my kids look like bobble heads with their helmets?  All in the name of safety as they get to 1/2 a mile a hour.... 

trampoline

Casey's brother took pity on us and gave us a very used, very loved trampoline.  I have wanted one for a while now but we have the smallest backyard and I have to admit Casey was right, in that it kinda overtakes everything.

 However there has been smiles from ear to ear since Sunday morning when Casey put it together.  They jump in their pajamas, swimsuits and sometimes regular clothes too.  They have been outside laughing so hard every chance they can.  Laughing, till Gentry wet her pants.  And then, that was even funny.  Hayli came running in laughing, "Mom, Gentry was laughing so hard she wet her pants."   A great excuse to put the sprinkler under and "wash" it off.

To say we love our new to us tramp is a understatement.  I am now looking for trampoline accessories, and such, any advice would be great!

 the end.