Lagoon: July 18, 2012

We spontaneously went to Lagoon. Our neighbors the Henries, called us on a Tuesday and asked if we could go to Lagoon the next day. I said no way would Nelson be able to get work off. Well, lo and behold, he did. It was nice going on a Wednesday because it wasn't as crowded. This is Evy about 30 seconds after leaving the park.

Coleman was a trooper. He was just happy to look around and watch people all day. He had a total blowout on the drive down so we had to stop at Walmart for new shorts.

Evy and Cameron. Bumper cars for kids was a joke. None of them knew what the heck they were doing. The operator had to stop it to help kids out of jams like 5 times. Then finally, Cameron just jumped out completely. Very entertaining though.

I think everyone has a picture of themselves as a kid on this ride.

Evy and Cameron

An old church in Pioneer Village. It was weird hearing church hymns among screaming riders.

How romantic.

I thought Evy would get nervous and/or sick on many rides but she did great. She didn't talk a lot during the day because she was taking it all in. She and Cameron loved Lagoona Beach a lot.

After Rattlesnake Rapids. Jessica, Brandi, Holly, Evy, Cameron.

Hyde Park Days: July 20-21, 2012

On  the night of July 20th the city had activities, food, a band and fireworks in one of the church's lawns. (It's a huge lawn) Evy went on the slides and trampolines over and over. She had to be pulled out or forced down this slide every time. She is a wimp when it comes to slides. There was a young girl that set up a candy booth. I bought candy from her but she kept giving me the candy and more money back than I had originally given her. Finally after several attempts and several transactions I just bypassed her and went to her mom.

On Saturday they had a parade in the morning. It was so nice because it wasn't crowded and so easy to get a seat. They gave out tons of candy and there were plenty of tractors and horses. (Nelson and Evy's kind of parade)

Cute little Coleman

Evy and Nelson at the parade.

Holly, Coleman and Evy

We picked raspberries at Nelson's Mom's Cousin Janice's (phew) house in Wellsville. They were out of town and said we could help ourselves to the raspberries in their garden.

Evy kept talking about how fun it was to pick raspberries but really she just kinda stood there and didn't pick. She maybe got two. We told her she was "all talk and no pick."

It was noon and we were dying. It was so blasted hot. Now I need to make jam or something.

Jack, Zach and Elena's birthday parties.

We went swimming at the Logan Aquatic Center for Jack's 6th birthday. His birthday is the first day of summer. That is the best day to have a birthday. It's also the longest day so it can go on longer than everyone else's.

Evy taking a break. She lasted 1 1/2 hours and said, "I'm done."

Nelson and Evy.

On July 7 we went to Zach's 2nd birthday party at Allie's sister's house. Evy was terrified of anyone with their faces painted or dressed as clowns, so April just painted her hand to be safe. She did a "Hello Kitty" face. Not sure if Evy knows what that is yet.

Jack, Melanie and Vera finding the shade. It was a super hot day.

Matt's friend did balloon animals for the kids. Evy got a flower.

Evy enjoying the sun-baked trampoline.

They got prizes for all the kids to take home. They played games then got to redeem their tickets for prizes. Evy kept asking for days for her tickets. I kept telling her we didn't keep them. It took me forever to realize she was talking about her prize bag.

She ate nonstop sugar and was in heaven.

Kate and Zach playing in the duck pond game.

Casey and Steve manning the face painting station. Not really, they just wanted shade. I wanted my Dad to get a Spongebob painting but he was a poor sport.

Coleman got to hold all the balloon animals because they popped if they hit the grass (and many did).

Prizes! Evy now has a different perspective of what birthday parties are. Her birthday is in September and she keeps asking when her carnival will be. Oy

July 8th: Elena had another fabulous birthday party. Maggie brought mock Disneyland treats.

The kids played on the super scary bunk bed. I am just waiting for someone to break their arm falling off this thing. I have a paranoia of bunk beds from sleeping in this one growing up. If you're on the bottom, you could be squished if the top bunk fell in. If you are on the top, you get claustrophobia. So there you have it; they are horrible.

Elena and Winston. Cheers!

Bear Lake June 8-9, 2012

We went to Bear Lake overnight this weekend. Nelson's parents were there as well as his sister Cheryl's family. This is us on the boardwalk at the beach. The water is so high there really isn't a beach to play on. We used to have to walk aways to get to this point from the water. This is actually around 9:30 am but it looks like the evening.

Cheryl and her sister-in-law Kendie. They did the Bear Lake half marathon. We all went down to the finish line to watch all the runners come in. There was a marathon, 1/2 marathon, 10K and 5K people were running. You could tell who had run the 5K because they had much more energy than the others.

Evy and Nelson waiting for the runners. There were some elderly people running, which put me to shame.

Hailey, Evy and Sara playing Guess Who? I bought it for the cabin because I loved playing it in the '80s. These kids were fabulous to Evy and played with her every second.

My cute little man by the campfire. It was a windy and chilly weekend.

Cheryl and Coleman the night before her big race.

Chandler and Evy. Chandler is the only teenage boy I know that is awake at 6:00 am on a Saturday.

Sara and Hailey roasting marshmallows.

Taggert, Hailey, Evy and Oreo

We took the boat out for the first time this year to see how it would run. This was Evy's first boat ride that I can remember.

Chandler, Evy and Sara. Evy looks miserable but she really liked it. When we first started going she said, "Mom, I am scared. The water's gonna get me" but she finally relaxed.

Hailey and Evy. Seagulls starting flying above us so Hailey started throwing them nuts from her trail mix (She and Sara polished off the M&Ms already) Well soon enough, tons of seagulls showed up and the girls were screaming because they were just flying right above us forever and pooping. Ha Ha.

Fishing in Mantua 6/5/12

We took the kids fishing today in Mantua. Nelson didn't work until the afternoon shift and he likes to squeeze some fishing in with every moment he can. It was super warm by our house so we were all in shorts. Then it was kinda chilly when we got there. Coleman was a trooper anyway.

Nelson fishing. Evy was afraid to go out on this dock because it swayed and had no rails, so I had to hold her every time we went out.

Evy, Amber, Avery. When we have the two kids together we mess up their names. I called Evy "Every"

These were some honkin fish. Nelson told Evy to kiss one. She hesitated then went for it. I stopped her because it grossed me out. I am a wimp, I know.

We weren't paying attention and Robin discovered his fishing pole was in the water.

Robin, Amber, Avery, Nelson

We brought too many hot dogs and hamburgers so of course Robin and Nelson ate them to dispose of them. Nelson had 1.5 hamburgers and 1 hot dog that Evy refused of course.

Chef Robin. I asked them, "Can't we just pack sandwiches?' Nope. Go big or go home.

Coleman when we pulled into our garage. What a little darling with a double chin.