Backyard Camp Out

Last night we had a camp out in our backyard.  The weather has been so mild and the forecast looked clear, so we picked up a few s'mores supplies, unpacked our tent from the shed, and started to set up our campsite.  Natalie was a pretty big help setting up the tent, actually.  Ben, not so much.  But boy were they excited when it went up!

They couldn't wait to get inside and play!  We brought out blankets and flashlights and a book, and they jumped and laughed and had just the best time in there until dinner was ready...

Ben can't always wrap his head around Natalie's level of craziness

...then they started giving raspberries...

double raspberry!

campsite with a lake view

cheeseburgers, berries, grilled zucchini, chips, and s'mores

bike ride & walk at sunset before we settled in by the fire

Ben didn't like the flash from the camera, and kept shaking his head.  Stinker.

Natalie and Ty, and s'mores!

We told "scary" stories, sang songs by the fire, then headed into the tent for a few books and then tried to get everyone to settle down.  Ben ended up sleeping on the ground with me.  A few times during the night I considered sneaking onto his mattress!  Natalie did great once she stopped talking.  They even slept through Ty chasing something through our yard around midnight...I looked out but couldn't see.  I'm guessing it was a raccoon.  I was a little freaked, but knowing he was out there I felt better about it.

Poor Ben did not like all the outside noises: bugs, birds, etc.  It was pretty loud out there.  But he was brave.  He kept saying, "I'm not scared, mommy."  I think this was more for his benefit than anything.  His own little pep talk!

Equipment Upgrades

Natalie and Ben have done some serious growing this summer, and we've grown out of lots of things (shoes, clothes, suddenly Ben seems way too big for a crib, etc).  One thing in particular that we use almost daily in the summer was in real need of an upgrade: Natalie's bike.  She was so big for the little bike that she so loves, but when we went shopping she fell in love with the pinkest, most sparkly girl bike you've ever laid eyes on.  And it came with a basket that also has a place for a baby to ride.  There was no talking her into any other options.

We brought it home, started to assemble it ourselves, but gladly turned it over to Eric to finish, and she was off.  Ben will most likely inherit Nat's old bike.  He is SO close to being able to pedal his trike around.  He can make it go by doing a half pedal forward, half pedal back and sort of creeping along.  And we've been practicing going all the way around, me pushing his feet in circles walking along behind him.  Anyway, once he gets the hang of it, I think I can sand down the pink bike and paint it some more boy-ish colors.

pink, pink, pink!

Summer Getaway

Last week we headed North for a few days at the lake house.  The cooler temps slowed us down a little bit as far as getting into the lake for swimming everyday, but it was fun tooling around the lake in sweatshirts and not being scorched by sunburns!

And it definitely did not prevent us from visiting Scooper's every night for a post-dinner giant serving of deliciousness!

Nat & Papa

love this view

my little lady all bundled up after a swim

my boys

cheeeeeesssee!

someday I'll get a good picture of these two both looking at the same time...

(I think they were singing "Let it Go")

Ben did not love the lake house this year...poor boy.  He didn't want anything to do with getting in the water (not surprising), but also didn't like the boat, which I thought he would.  He did like going for a ride with my in the kayak though.

bubbles!

Today is a catch up day...laundry, sleep, chores, mail.  All the things you miss out on while being away!  Can't wait 'til next year already.

Brewers and Fountain Splashing

Lucky us, the Brewers were in town this weekend.  Unfortunately, because of the holiday and my work schedule, we could only make one game.  Today was a family outing to try to cheer the Crew to a win.

our little Brewer fans are getting better about sitting through a game

and our seats were the only ones occupied in the whole row, so that helped too!

cotton candy

pretty much the only blue and gold in the stands today

exploring the river on the way back to the car

(notice how Ben is wearing Nat's shoes??  She got a blister from walking in them, so Ben switched her for walk back to car!  What a good brother.)

Great American Ball Park

fountains on the way back to the car

looking out for little brother

he kept checking out his shoes!  

I think amazed that Natalie hadn't taken them away from him

Natalie was soaked!

Ben was not as bad...having planned ahead, we had dry clothes waiting in the car!

Sweaty Babies

It has been hot and humid lately, and I strongly dislike this weather, but we must soldier on in the name of keeping the peace around here.  So yesterday we donned as light of summer clothes as we could find and played outside before dinner.  Nat and Ben were so sweaty and dirty, but I thought they looked just beautiful, and so I ran back for my camera:

love Ty following right behind the kids

so serious watching Ty go for a swim in the pond

best buddies lately

while Eric finished up mowing, we tied our dog to the wagon and went for a last walk to kill some time and energy before heading in for baths and dinner

I hate the weather, but I do love these summer memories.