summer swimming and the fair

We have went to Grandma Bev's for swimming several times this summer. And they've had a blast! After buying Ari and June a new life vest, this is the first year I've felt I could take them by myself. They've really done great this summer at the pool! Grandma Bev always spoils them with lots of snacks, of course! And they love to go and jump on her trampoline! June and I also took a trip to Kokomo Beach one day to meet our best gals, Alli and Naomi while the boys were out of town visiting their cousins Alex and Haley. 

Also, this past week we went to the Greentown fair. We met our friends Alli, Nate, and Naomi and we took the kids on their first ferris wheel ride. They loved seeing the animals, and all of the tractors too! It was such a  great time but WOW... Joe and I were emotionally spent by the end of it. Trying to keep track of three kids, in the the heat, amongst a crowd, and wait in line for all rides will tire you down real quick. That's why we only go to one fair, one time a year, usually. That's just about as much as the both of us can take.

Swimming out at Grandma Bev's:

A day at Kokomo Beach:

Greentown Fair:

(Mostly all of these are my cell phone pictures)

fourth of july

4th of July weekend was so long, but so much fun!  With Joe being in our friend Shane's wedding, and going to several family and friend get togethers, we just did not stop all weekend. We ended up making it to see all of our family, and we hung with friends on a few different occasions. The kids got to swim out at Grandma Bevs, a tradition. I don't know if there's ever been a 4th of mine not spent out at my grandma's by the pool. I also made 5 pies over the weekend! I really feel blessed to have the family and friends we do. We had a great fourth.

Here's some pictures taken from that weekend:

Great Grandpa Vernon fixed up Joe's old bike for Ari to ride when he's over there!

what's going on in our backyard

It seems like summer has flown by! It makes me sad that my kids will be going back to school in just 3 more weeks! We truly have been living it up the last month in a half. All of us have been staying up super late and sleeping in. I'm really loving not being on any kind of schedule. We've spent the majority of our time outside lately. I've been working a lot outside around the house, and in the garden. Since it's my first garden I was worried I'd start to feel overwhelmed with it, but I've really enjoyed it. I am amazed at watching our plants grow and produce, and the kids are too. Everyday they're out there with me asking what's ready, and what they can eat! The green beans, cucumber, peppers, and squash are just starting to go crazy! I've been trying to figure out new recipes to use all the fresh veggies, so we aren't wasting what we have. I'm really anxious about the watermelons. I'm really hoping I'll have luck with them this year. I just checked yesterday, and I have around 10 that I can see. The vine is kinda getting out of control! I am learning daily about gardening. I'm currently fighting a battle with Japanese beetles! But It's been a fun adventure I'm sure I'll be looking forward to every spring.

The kids have played so hard everyday outside. Their new thing is catching lightening bugs just as the sun goes down. Besides riding their bikes, and playing on the tree house they're typically out chasing, wrestling, and playing whatever imagination game they've came up with for the day. Lately it's been 'spy!' They are seriously 3 peas in a pod. I'm so happy they have each other to play with. 

A few pictures from my garden:

Half of the garden, and the tree house that's nearly complete.

Banana peppers

Sweet favorite watermelons

Yellow squash

Cucumbers

I have a whole row of two varieties of cabbage, and brussel sprouts, but some pest has been really enjoying them...

Onions

Grape tomatoes, we might not be able to keep up with them. Good thing my brother-Max lives only a mile and a half away!

Slicing tomatoes

Green bell peppers

Green beans

I planted about 20 strawberry plants this spring. So far only little baby berries this year, but I'm looking forward to see how big the plants get next year.

There isn't much better than laying in a hammock in the summertime.

Lots of wrestling happenin. June can throw down too!

A sight seen a lot around here. I've come to the conclusion, my kids aren't fans of clothes and shoes. Well... June loves her shoes. They might not be matching most of the time, but the girl loves some shoes. Country life is the best life.