Grandma Edgar's

This was the year of family reunions.  A month ago we went to the Solomon reunion on Doug's side and now it is time for the Edgar reunion on my side.  I have a lot of memories of southern Idaho at Grandma's house.  I'm actually amazed at how many I have because I really don't remember much from my youth.  I have no idea why, but there it is.  So to stay at Grandma's house and look around was nostalgic for me.

This is Peter playing at THE toy drawer.  This has been the toy drawer since the dawn of time.  I remember playing with some of these toys.  It's nice when some things remain the same.

Parker and Lex playing on the swing set.  I played and posed for pictures on this swing set.  My cousin got a double barrel wound between the eyes from this toy.

Our "campground".  I played kickball on this lawn.  It sure doesn't look big enough now, but back in the day we had some rousing games with grandpa.

A cousin caught some toads to give away and the kids got a chance to see them.  They were big buggers.

And then there was a tiny one that Lex held.  Lost.  And held some more.  We definitely washed after this so we could go eat.

My uncle owns a horse and buggy, so all who wanted got a ride before dinner.

Evan and Lex are in the front next to Uncle Larry.

Ben and Peter up front.

And then Chris with Allyson, Justin, Sam and Finn.

This is Grandma's player piano.  I loved playing this piano and now my children get to play with it.

I love Grandma Edgar's house.

Lake Swimming

Our friends have a lake.  Actually they live near the lake, but it is gate security access so I say they have a lake.  This summer we finally went swimming with them.  I really need to get the kids in swim lessons.  They did very well out on the water, but I worried like crazy nonetheless.  The water was warm and the day was perfect for an outing.

After a little coaxing, Peter took to the water and loved it.

He wanted me to stay close to him, but I was able to sneak away just a little to take a pic with our friends.

Carol Wood holding Macy with Lucy in the rear.  You can just see a little of Ben off the side.  He was trying to make Peter happy so I could get some pics.

This little girl was like a fish and scared me to death.  She wanted to cross the lake with only her life jacket.  She has never had lessons and I'm really surprised that she took to going out so far on her own.

Ben and Evan playing in the water with a friend.

I brought some of a beach toys and Peter took a turn playing on the beach.

After swimming we ate lunch and then swam some more.  Finally we had to go home to make dinner.

Hair Hair Hair

There are so many things available because of the internet.  Some I like and some  I can do without.  However, different ways to do my little girl's hair are always a like.  This star braid was simple and easy and people loved it.  She looks so sophisticated.

Splashdown

Every year Doug's work pays the admission fee to a local water park for the employees and their family.  My children want to go.  They start counting down as we walk out and leave the park.  They just can't wait until next year.  Things are so much nicer now with Ben and Chris being older.  They still wear their life jackets, but they are allowed to wander by themselves.  With two gone there is only three left to watch.  One parent takes Evan and the last two are taken by the other parent.  

Every time we have gone the weather has been perfectly sunny and hot even though we show up mid afternoon and don't leave until 7 or 8 at night.  However, this year decided to be different.  And I think it was kind of rude.

Thankfully we had brought some shelter with us

However, since we did come to get wet and there was no lightening, we hopped in.

After the first time down, Peter was hooked and loved playing in the water.  

Lex like standing in the water fall part of the pool.

Evan going down a slide.  He was almost big enough to let go on his own and we did to an extent.  He had to stay up in the kiddie pool area, but could go in with out a parent by his side.  We just made sure we could see him now and then.

And just in time for dinner the sun came out and stayed out.  Then it got all hot and steamy.  Thank goodness we were at a water park.

Peter, Chris and Ben eating away

Not quite sure what Evan just ate, but it doesn't look like it agreed with him.

The kids each get a prize with their hot dog meal and Lex just loved her goggles

And then boys will be boys and found the ant hill to play in

Peter and Evan

A fun wet day.  Can't wait until next year.

Evan is Seven

Cool Dude Peter at Evan's birthday party

Remember how I was lamenting our lack of heat this summer?  Well it hit and it got humid to boot.  We held Evan's birthday outside and it just might of been more comfortable if we had been in the house with no AC on.  This is what Evan looked like after a short time outside.  While some of the wet in his hair is sweat from running most is from the humidity in the air.

Cake time

One of his favorites presents was from grandma.  She gave him a balloon which he had to pop open to find his gift:  Money!

My little boy sure is growing fast.

Swimming Fun

Summer started out soooo very late this year.  The last week of June we were only hitting 60*F for a high.  Not good for swimming.  Then we went to family reunion in Idaho and got blasted by 100*F weather.  Needless to say the kids wanted a pool set up when we got home.  This little dinky one was the closest we got.  Our big pool sat out this year do to vacations and just weather issues.  It wasn't too bad for the younger 3, but the other 2 kinda got gypped.  Such is life.

Evan jumping in

Lex cooling off with a bucket of water

Couldn't keep this little boy out of the water.  Before 9 am he was ready to put his suit on and go swimming.

Baseball Game

My sister Paige got a great deal on baseball ticket through work, so we had her get us some.  We were in the bleachers, however, we were lucky because the sun was behind us instead of in our eyes like the other side of the bleachers.  We also weren't seated together.  For some reason they split up our seats.  Doug and one child were on one row at one end and the rest of us were on the next row down at the other end.  This did cause some issues when it came to child management.  We didn't stay for the whole game because we, the Spokane Indians, were way behind; but mostly the children were not being their best and I had had it.  Before that time hit though we were happy.

Ben, Evan, and Chris

Ben and Peter

Pitchers warming up

Chris and Mommy

July 4th

Fourth of July was sunny and perfect for a day of fun.  We started off the day with the annual breakfast at church. 

 Lex ate her plate clean

Then after a brief stop at home it was off to great-grandma's house for more food and games.

Lex found Uncle Jeff and Aunt Brin to eat with.

We were in charge of games for the 5-11 year olds.  We decided to go carnival style and looked up some games.  We had a variety of games with some being more popular than the others.  We used pool noodles as javelins.  We hooked three hula hoops together like the Olympic rings and had them toss a ball in them.  We had darts and balloon basketball.  We also had a swimming pool that had rubber duckies in it.  The object of the pool game was to use squirt guns and have a race to see who's duck could make it to the other side first using the squirt guns only.  However, a couple of my favorites were Plinko and Toilet Toss.  Yes we made them and as far as I am concerned they turned out great.

Justin playing Plinko

Toilet Toss just waiting to be used

Grandpa brought balloons and one of my cousin's husband knew how to make hats and swords.  My kids were in heaven.

Ben

Chris

Evan

Lex

Peter

After we were gamed out we headed over to grandpa's for some sparklers.  We had to forgo the fireworks because daddy had to work the next day.

Ben, Chris and Evan

Lex

Daddy and Peter on his first one

Then we or he got brave and did one alone.

Our beds were waiting for us when we got home and I, at least,  happily climbed in.