birthdays

Bridger had one,
so we took this bunch to the zoo.
Thanks for the smile and pose Hayli and Max.

Lets try again.  Did I mention is was hot and maybe a bit crowded?

 No Kate you can not "swim with the polar bear", Not that I can deny that it definitely looks cooler.

 Other than the bragging polar bear, this fan held their attention the longest.  Ok I'm kidding, but I did laugh at us all stopping to feel the breeze.  :)

 Last but not least the carousel,  and then the Moms were done, good thing the kids don't know the zoo has another side that we didn't even get to.  I joked with Sabra that next year we must celebrate Bridger in October, and then we could meander along taking in all the exhibits 

Looking back I thought I pulled out the camera more than I did but I'm sure they would have been pictures of us melting,   A Gentry quote, "Mom, my bum is hot, and my back... I need ice-cream."  Lucky for her we stopped on the way home to get some.  The perfect way to end a day at the zoo.
Thanks for letting us celebrate your big day with you, Bridger!   Happy Birthday!

pioneer day

we were invited to the Hoyts.
Apparently Gen thought the chocolate dessert was good.

 The Mays brought a assortment of fireworks including snaps.

Kate learned she can snap them between her fingers.

 sparklers are my favorite.  But I was talking to my sisters and missed most of them.

And as Gentry reminded us on the way home....now it's her birthday.   I had told her after all the fireworks it was time for her birthday.

The next couple of weeks might be ... well long.
It was a good night, Thanks Paige and Dave.

fireworks

We were lucky enough to be invited to Aunt Beverly and Uncle Lloyds annual BBQ again this year.  For fireworks and homemade ice cream and root beer.  I had a moment of nostalgia remembering my childhood as I watched my sweaty, dirty kids run with their cousins.  Those were the best times though few and far between for me.  Running around till the sun went down drinking all the homemade root beer I could, now as a adult I wonder how much actually is drank as opposed to just poured on the ground.
Nevertheless a perfect evening with fantastic company.

Thanks again Aunt Beverly and Uncle Lloyd our summer wouldn't be complete without your hospitality!

steele days parade

The girls were able to be in the parade today with TDC, and Chick-fil-a.  Gen was so excited to find her name right on her car.  Or maybe that was just me.  (check out how quick her arms are healing...her leg is still bandaged but the rest of her is getting better so fast...bodies are amazing)

Meet her little friend Bridget.  They had so much fun with each other all hot and snuggled at the same time.

 So much harder to get pictures of the older ones of course they ended up on the opposite side of the trailer than I did.

Thanks to cousins and a couple of sisters who are willing to melt with me so I didn't have to sit at the parade alone.  Who goes to the parade alone?   Yep me.

Thanks TDC for all the fun!

treadmill

I was working and the girls were playing with their cousins when Gen tried to get in her run this morning on the treadmill.
As you can see...it didn't go well.

 It looks so much more oozie and yucky in real life, you'll have to take my word for it.  It is burned around the darker area and the the skin worn off right in the middle. New gauze pads and Motrin 3 times today and tomorrow.  Change the bandage twice a day after that.

Makes our new look for the little bit.  Really could have been so much worse.  We got strawberry shortcake bandaids for the rest of the little burns on her hands, arms and back she is happy to show you any time.

  and yes that door is now locked.

peek-a-boo

2 front teeth

Hope she doesn't have to wait till Christmas!

 "Kate smile so I can see your missing teeth..."

Um, ok thanks goofy girl.  I might just prefer the pretend shy smile  :)
these last two have left behind a endearing lisp that makes me laugh

independence day

 balloons

 coke

 my only sunrise each year

All with Neil Diamond blaring through the speakers.
Makes me put my hand over my heart...every time!

cookies

  Sundays used to be a day where Casey and I would go house to house--- his parents, my parents, his brothers, my sisters--- It really didn't matter where, we always found somewhere to be fed and entertained.  Maybe its my age, or that you can really "drop" in with a family of 5 now but a Sunday afternoon licking the cookies dough bowl clean....

A perfect Sunday afternoon.

And then we ate the baked ones too!