Saturday

Last Saturday morning was finally a step back into our old summer routine. I'd called the blueberry farm I was hoping to visit and they weren't quite ready yet. So instead, Sophie and I hit up the Erie Street Market to find a few things we needed for meals this week and dinner that night.

We bought some more zucchini, tomatoes, fresh oregano and strawberries.

Next stop: the library.

Sophie put all our previous books in the return slot for me and smiled when the librarian peeked back at her from the other side. ;)

We selected a few new ones, but kept our visit brief as it was nearing lunch time.

After nap, we went over to Craig's parents' house for an outdoor Catholic Mass for a close family friend held in the Riedeman's back yard. The friend is an older woman with cancer and the Mass was given for her dear family and friends by a retired priest from our church. We all sat under the shade tree and prayed for her.

Following the Mass, everyone stayed for a meal held outdoors. We were having friends over for dinner that evening, so we didn't stay long and we didn't eat, but the kids and I did spend a little time in the hammock under the shade. I need one of these!

Not the best picture of Sophie below...
Our friends, the Bachmayers, came over for dinner and hanging out Saturday evening. We grilled steaks and I made twice baked potatoes, kale avocado salad and corn on the cob. We ate out on the deck as we've been doing a lot lately and capped off our meal with strawberry shortcake using the strawberries Sophie and I bought at the market.

The rest of the evening was spent playing outside.

Katelyn was showing us her awesome batting skills, which ended up leading into a full on baseball game. Basically, Craig & Eric versus moms & kids. :) Craig pitched, Eric was an outfielder and Andrea & I just helped the kids bat and run. The kids loved the dads' fake efforts to tag them out. Those silly dads were always "too slow". Do you love Sophie's backwards Mud Hens hat in the foreground?

Both my kids just love Andrea. Also in this picture, you can see Craig's new t-ball invention (see the old one here): a short, wooden pole pounded into the ground with a mallet and then a piece of PVC pipe slid down over it. :) We're such hillbillies.

Run! Run! Run!

Alec's turn!

We played all the way through sunset and a little beyond. Then we moved on to catching lightening bugs. Good times.

Weekend Update {Memorial Day}

I'm pretty behind on posting lately... but with good reason! There's too much going on and it's too hot in our room to sit at the computer for long. I'm also getting organized for Will's birthday and party this week and a lot of my attention is going to that. Can't wait! Our boy is going to be FOUR!!!

Memorial Day weekend flew by. The extra day off was a blessing and we had a lot of fun play time intermixed with some productivity. :) This post is lengthy, but it covers the whole three day weekend... plus one extra pic from the week before that's just too cute to leave out:

{Those are my boys working together to dry our girl's hair. :)}

On Saturday morning, Craig, Sophie and I headed to the Farmers Market to pick out our vegetable plants to start our garden. It was the annual plant and flower weekend sale and it was packed.

I also picked up some lettuce and tomatoes that looked wonderful.

From there, we headed to Menards to buy a large planter pot and some top soil and potting soil for our herbs. The kids and I also got some new gardening gloves (Dora & Diego gloves for Will and Soph). And finally, we stopped at Andersons to pick up our meat for the week.


In the afternoon, Craig and I took Will to see his first movie in the theater: Kung Fu Panda II.

He was entranced. But it was funny because he wasn't heavy enough to prevent the theater seat from folding up on him so he took turns in our laps. :)

We spent LOTS of time outdoors.

Lots of riding bikes.

A couple bike trailer rides.

A picnic lunch outside...

...where we enjoyed some more blackberry popsicles.

Just a cute one of Soph. I found her standing on the Bilibo toy, with no pants on, working on the peg board. :)

Sunday afternoon, we braved the thunderstorms that were rolling in and attended my cousin Emily's high school graduation party.

Waiting for daddy to load up and head to the party. Quick funny: Sophie does this pose with her arms pretty often. I heard Craig say "I love it when she T. Rex's her arms like that". Haha!

Two years ago, we attended a graduation party for Emily's older brother Ryan. Sophie was just a few weeks old and Craig took a picture of us by the boat docks right outside their house.

So I wanted to take another picture this year in the same spot with my now-two-year-old. You can see why we were rushing, though! It wasn't raining yet, but those storm clouds were moving in fast. I think the pictures are really neat because of them.

Haha, Will. :)

Even though there was a tent outside, the house was VERY crowded because of the weather. So it was a bit of a challenge keeping four little ones from darting off in exploration. The three girls found a little corner of the house where they'd "hide" and then jump out and yell "peek-a-boo" while I waited in anticipation. They got a little too screechy after awhile and then we had to quiet them down. :) {Note the T.Rex arms again. :)}

Will agreed to hop IN the trailer on Monday morning so we could ride to the local carry out and pick up the milk that daddy overlooked at the store last week. Ooo Wee! It sure got hot this day!

We had plans for an annual picnic at the Riedemans in the afternoon, so we spend the morning playing in the water at Nana & Papa's house with Mya & Stella.

Once again, this water pad that hooks up to the hose is a perfect splash toy for the little girls. They love it.

Will was more interested in running around the yard and having Wes or me or the girls chase him. :) He loves to run and race and be chased!

My little exhibitionist. ;)

After nap time, we packed up and headed to Craig's parents' house for the family picnic. I put Sophie's hair in double braids for the first time and it looked so cute.

Cookout!

Watermelon is such a summer novelty. :)

This was after lots of running a round time and the braids had already come out.

The Powers boys were so gracious to let Will play bocce ball with them. He loved it and they were so patient and fun with him. I just love their whole family. Such great people!

Meanwhile, Sophie played with all the really old toys that Grandma hung on to from her own kids.

She had such fun with this Jack-in-the-Box and was delighted that everyone continued to act surprised as she popped him out over and over. ;)

Good times. Great start to the summer.