Facebook Messenger Fun Time Never Ends

The cousins spent TWO HOURS on Facebook Messenger. Can you hear their giggles?!

The Reds!

Funkle Dave took H to a Reda game with cousins!

Fireside

SALE!

At a country intersection with lemonade, brownies and golf balls, they made $15.50! Not because they had so many customers, but because the handful that did stop we’re SO generous!

Summertime Joys

We live in a city of 25 million. It’s not known for it’s parks, it’s cleanliness, it’s pure air, or it’s outdoorsy culture. Nope. Definitely not those things.

I can deal with it. Our kids are growing up in quite a different environment than Mikey and I did. QUITE. But we are so okay with that. One reason we are okay with that is that our kids get one big old healthy dose of the outdoors each summer in the U.S.

My parents live in the country, and over the years their property has evolved into, well, basically a kids summertime dream! Each summer we spend a good chunk of time time at their place and it’s so much fun.  So refreshing for all of us. The only thing more enriching than a couple months spent largely outdoors each summer is my kids relationships with their grandparents, which is the even greater gift.

Below is a photo dump of just some of the many activities my kiddos enjoyed this summer!

Bubbles were a big favorite of this guy. Also one of his best words!

Little guy on a big tractor.

The pool is a new addiction and oh-s0-much-fun!

Bikes for all ages.

Cozy coupe!

This gift from several years ago is still going strong and is a big hit. Who didn’t dream of having one of these when they were small?

My sister is great at mixing up sidewalk paint each year.

Bike washing station. Basically anything with water is fun!

Swinging!

Well, this was when the three of us went to have a delicous lunch out together. It wasn’t on my parent’s property, but we did sit outside, so that counts, right?

Screen porch snuggles with Grammi.

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Inside now. Relaxing in laundry baskets, of course.

Little boy and a red wagon. Classic.

Trailer rides behind Poppi’s tractor. So much fun! Even I love to get in on this one. But now that I’m looking at it, I’m wondering how many more years we are all going to be able to fit?!

A s’more roast in the backyard is tradition. And one I’m happy to keep!

Look at that amazing sun streaming in…

This girl picked up bike riding in one afternoon!

Grammi did a lot of cooking with the kids. They always love that!

Poppi jumps on the trampoline almost every evening. The kids would NEVER let him forget that that is his deal with them!

All this fun and so much more!

I couldn’t be more thankful. Can’t wait for next year!

Pear Pickin'

Pickin' pears on a summer evening.

Grammi's Girls

Nothing quite like Grammi's lap. 💗

Zoo Day in Full

The day after we drove to Ohio, we went to the Zoo with my whole fam.

My nephew was the first map checker.

Miss busy bee…

We got to see the Cheetah Run… it was pretty cool! Crowded though, so the kiddos got balcony seats…

We borrowed a blessed wagon that has visited the zoo many times in years past. It was the preferred method of transportation for sure! As a kid I dreamed of riding in a wagon around the zoo. So happy to give my kids that fun experience.

Okay maybe I took a turn too!  Little Niecey didn’t manage to move us an inch though.

Lil’ A fit perfectly in the trailer. She loved it in there. Just her size.

My boy H checking out the map.

Lunch break while we saved a spot to see the lions.

Matching shoesies.

Saving a spot by the window paid off…

They open the wall to this metal gate and hold meat through on tongs. The lions stretch out to get their snack.

This guy wasn’t hungry. So he just chilled in the shade a few inches from us.

Then he gave his lady friend a kiss when she walked by.

This one wasn’t a fan of us trying to get her to nap in the stroller. Eventually we took her out and she fell asleep in the Ergo Carrier in about 30 seconds flat. She’s definitely an Ergo baby!

The elephants kissed too! So much love…

Neicey D liked to ride on her Mama’s back in the Ergo too.

This silly monkey was lying like this looking through the glass upsidedown when we walked up.

My girlie wasted no time going straight over to him…

And giving a big smooch through the glass! More lovin’!!

The two with curls. :)

D’s turn to check out the map!

Everyone took a turn (pushing at least, we decided Poppi was too big to ride).

N was rather interested in the leaves she pulled off a bush.

A’s turn with the map. Good thing she was near the end of the day cause she ate it and ripped it up. Oops.

Of course we went to the big playground.

Ended with a train ride.

What a super day! No wonder it’s a top rated zoo in the country. And I have some top rated companions!