Daddy turns 34

We got Eldon a few little things for his birthday like peanuts and candybars and then we took him outside to show him his big gift....


AJ showing what he got daddy for his birthday.
A brand new barbeque. We have been wanting a grill for a long time and I decided it was time to splurge and just get one. Yippee! I love BBQ Chicken!

Homemade icecream cake is one of Eldon's favorites!




AJ loved his cake too!

Pool Works

Bryan and Renee were kind enough to host a swim party on the 4th of July this year. Everyone had a great time eating, swimming and playing games and lighting fireworks
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Then we did sparklers and fireworks.



Notice Emma protecting her ears from the loud noises with headphones. Eldon is also protecting his lap from getting wet at the same time.

Balloon Fest

Julia and I woke up early one morning to see the hot air balloons the weekend of the 4th of July.

It's not easy getting up really early, but when they send this balloon up and lower the stars and stripes and everyone stops to put their hand over their hearts and listen to the National Anthem and say the Pledge of Allegiance together, tears well up in my eyes and I feel proud to be an American. I feel priviledged to live in this country and enjoy the freedoms we enjoy each day. This alone makes dragging myself out of bed before the sun, after a late night, worth it.

The Darth Vadar balloon was pretty cool. It came all the way from The Netherlands.





Julia and I both liked this yellow balloon with big flowers so we got as close as possible to take a picture, but as we were standing there a big wind came up and the balloon started attacking us.

They didn't end up getting this one off the ground. The whole balloon fest was over early because of thunder and lightning. Kind of sad, but I'm still glad we went!

I love Rainbows!

We got a lot of rain through May and June, but I don't remember seeing a lot of rainbows so I took the opportunity to capture this one with my camera. I'm not much of a photographer, but you get the idea.
Rainbows always make me happy!

North Park Fountains - Again

Eldon took an afternoon off work the end of June. We had no plans but we ended up with a picnic lunch down at North Park.


Emma was much happier this time since she had on her swimsuit.

AJ took a break to eat more snacks.
Julia fell while she was carrying AJ. Luckily he didn't get hurt, but her knee was pretty scraped up.


She was not happy about me taking this photo. Can you tell :)

Grotto Hike

We do the Grotto Hike at least once every summer! It is so fun and kid-friendly with log bridges that cross over a stream, it is short and not too steep and ends at a beautiful waterfall. I thought it would be fun to put a few flashback pictures on this week since this is something we do every summer.
Above: Andrew at the Grotto in 2008. He was 2, now AJ wears this outfit!
Below: Emma and Julia sitting on a rock, 2008. Similar to the picture below of Emma and AJ on the same rock. These pictures are of our Grotto hike June 2011. We went with a big group of friends and Julia was happy as can be to be with so many of her friends.

Chloe and Andrew
Holly, Val and Lisa surrounded by children. Lisa was so sweet to come with me and help with kids even though her own kids couldn't come this year.


Julia always likes to hike to the top of the waterfall.
Julia and her friends attempted going behind the waterfall, but this is as far as they made it.
Emma was a little nervous about crossing the bridges since she fell off one of them.







Emma all wet but still happy!