July update.

Kevin's work crew had a boating day at a lake over in Missouri. We arranged a babysitter for the day and enjoyed ourselves some fun time away!

 4th of July was just us this year.  Because of Kevin's work schedule, we did our own little fireworks on the 3rd and then went to town's fireworks on the 4th, the first time we've seen a show at all since living here. We spend the morning, however, trying out our new bike trailer and biking as a family for the first time ever! It was pretty hot and VERY BUGGY but overall the kids did great and I loved the trail! We also did a lil' geocaching and found one and didn't find one and aborted one that indicated lots of poison ivy during summer season. We had fun and completed #11 and #12 on 2013 Adventure List!

found a cache!

 We spent an afternoon at the beach/lake with friends... The "beach" is #10 on our adventure list. This is just gonna hafta count.  =)

my BFF

an elaborate river system we all worked together to make

...and then went to the county fair and parade that night (#4 on our Adventure List)....

Kevin's parent spent a Saturday with us after the guys went to Lincoln tractor museum and we girls hung at home listening to music and having tea party and snacks.  That night we played a game of pictionary all together. It was a genuinely lovely day.

Carri and Lucas came to visit the week of Eli's birthday. It was also VBS week, and a party weekend, so it was a busy but FUN week!  We celebrated Eli's birthday with a Mario themed party. Now that cousin Claire is a little older, I decided it might be fun to start adding in a couple simple games for the kids to do together. Pinterest made it easy, and it turn out to be a lot of fun and entertaining for everyone, I hope. Great, relaxed day celebrating our boy!

the girls decorated Princess Peach crowns

silly mustaches

gotta actually PLAY some Mario!

pin the mustache on Mario

throw the fireballs (cheesballs) and the piranha plants

menu: hot dogs, 7 layer taco dip, fruit salad, cheese balls, veggies

The kids completed their reading goal (of 100 books) so we celebrated with an ice cream party...

 We finally got to go fishing and tried out a new spot, on the river. It's kind of hidden and actually a really great place! Nice view, quiet, relaxing, and the closest thing we've had to off-roading since moving to Nebraska!