start of summer 2017

I love the start of summer.  I love having my kids home.  I love all the fun things we do. 

I don't love the heat, but I don't mind it much either... At least not until around August.

We started off the last day slippin' slidin with Jake.  

Jimmy had saved up his money for this baseball game and he opened it right when he got home on his last day.

We knew this was a game that Uncle Danny would have loved.  Here is a picture of Gus channeling 6 year old Danny complete with glasses and Danny's old shirt.  Nora thought the baseball was cool, but she was more excited about getting this Lego mini-figure that she has been hoping for.

The beginning of the summer was even cool enough to actually get out on our bikes... if we left very early.

Walks to the farm in the early morning are also great...

Splash Pads and Donut Day with friends...

Outings Downtown to the Teapot...

Summer fruit and Cousin Movie Nights...

A hilarious baby playing in her own puke...

Visits to Mimi and Johnny's...

A great three days for Jimmy and Dad at R-C Cub Scout Camp...

While they were gone we made a movie fort and Gus and Nora decided to sleep in the same bed every night...

We always love our week of Vacation Bible School with lots of friends and fun crafts...

Dad had lots more time off this summer which we loved.  He got to go to a few D-Backs games...

And the zoo...

We had our first family visit to the Heard Museum...

It was all thanks to a visit from our friends the Gunns...

The Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera exhibit was surprisingly fun...

An odd highlight for the kids was getting a new washer and dryer...

Despite the heat we spend a lot of time in our backyard finding ways to stay wet. 

Sprinkers...

Tin Foil Rivers and Ice Cube Boats...

Kiddie Pool, Super Soaker, and, of course, popsicles...

Francie is as cute as ever in summer dresses, swimsuits, and old Halloween costumes...

She still gets lots of love and attention from her siblings...

Still despite all our best efforts outside, we spend a lot of time inside, too.  

Good things my boys are so creative.  Here they are making exploding popsicles sticks...

I let them get out the Christmas trains once every summer...

And they love board games...

All of this and it was still only June.  The kids love checking things off our Summer List...

More to come...