Family and Fun

 July has been packed with lots of fun and lots of family . . . and usually the two things together.  But a few things first - - - Sam lost his first tooth two weeks ago.  It was a top one - which is unusual, but he'll take it. 

 

We've been working hard with dad to clean, de-junk, and organize our bedrooms this summer.  Sam even got his new "big boy" bed.  He's all grown up!

 

 We took off last weekend to go to Wyoming for another family reunion - mommy's family including some of her most favorite cousins.  It was so much fun!  We started by breaking out the marshmallow shooters - let's just say, a good time was had by all!

 

There were lots of other fun games.

 

 

And lots and lots and lots of good food.  Aunt Fran gives a great head rub!

 

We had lots of fun cousins to play with - Mersadie was just my speed.  Too bad she's lives so far away in Colorado.

 

Here's a picture with all of us. 

 

And with mom's family - we were only missing Uncle Michael.

 

Here we are with our cousins - how crazy is it that we are some of the oldest?  That never happens.

 

We had a great bonfire one night, with lots of fireworks.

 

 

 There was also some serious marshmallow roasting going on - super jumbo smores!

 

 

Sam feel asleep on someones lap every single night.  Here he is with Aunt Fran.

 

One cool thing that happened last weekend in Wyoming was that I finally learned to tie my own shoes.  I'm a pro now! 

 

Uncle Carl and Aunt Fran pulled their big trailer up and it was incredibly home-y with all the luxuries you could imagine.  Check us out watching cartoons on the big screen outside.

 

I gave free flying lessons with our cool rockets that Carl and Fran brought us.  I made signs up and everything.

 

Then mommy got my rocket lost in a tree.  I climbed up to look for it . . . . .

 

. . . . and scared some baby birdies out of their nest.  We caught them and put them back though.

 

We took a hike up Intermittent Springs one afternoon - it's a beautiful hike. 

 

 

 

Here's the family - I've suddenly come to appreciate family pictures.

 

And we hiked all the way to the top of the springs this year - we've never been able to do that before.  Usually we go earlier in the year and there's always snow. 

 

Here we are hiking back.  It was perfectly cool and lovely.

 

Before we left town, we decided to play some golf.  We stay at these great condos right on the golf course and you get to golf for free - how can you pass that by?  It was Sam's and my first time playing real golf (as opposed to mini golf).  And it was great!

 

We each got to drive the golf carts too.  That may have actually been even better than playing golf, if the truth were to be told. 

 

Mom hit some good shots and dad played great as usual.  Even Aunt Jen Jen putted a time or two with us. 

 

There may not be a more beautiful course in the whole wide world than this one!

Grandma and Grandpa G stayed at our house a few days on their way back home. 

 

And finally, when everyone was gone and things were quiet and "boring", dad took us to the Dinosaur museum.  We always have fun there!

 

And we couldn't pass up some great poses outside the museum.

 

Sam Alert:  I'll only share one picture today - you're probably on picture overload from our last two weeks.  Here I am in Aunt Mary Bell's yard.  Such a beautiful place and one that we love!

 

Sam out - for this week.

Fourth of July and a Family Reunion

We have the best Fourth of July tradition in our neighborhood.  We have a day-long circle party with all of our neighbors.  And it is sooooo much fun! 

 

We start out with breakfast in our next-door neighbor's back yard.  Here I am (literally) hanging out before the food was served.

 

And here's Sam doing some swinging.

 

After breakfast our family went over to our across-the-street neighbors and had some water fun all afternoon.  Squirt guns and swimming pools are the best!

 

 

We managed to fit in a little art project before dinner.

 

And after dinner, there were fireworks galore.  Here I am with a giant sparkler. 

 

And here's Sam with his sparkler along with a neighborhood girl.  It was a great party!

 

The next morning we picked up Aunt Jen Jen from the airport and mom and the boys headed up to Wyoming for a family reunion.  We spent the night at a fun bed and breakfast and then got up the next morning for the reunion.  It was a beautiful warm day in a beautiful location.  

 

We did some exploring.  Lots of cool old
farm trucks . . . .

 

. . . . a really cool old tractor.

 

And another cool truck.

 

We spent a lot of time playing in this ditch.  Stick races anyone?

 

Here's Sam helping out - our family was in charge this year. 

 

 Here we are with mom by the big creek.

 

 

 

In other happenings this week - we each got measured by dad on our growth chart.  I grew three inches this year.

 

And here's Sam getting measured.

 

Sam Alert:  Hey everybody - Chef Sam here!  I love helping mom cook - here I am making some yummy guacamole the other day. 

 

And here I am riding my bike on the Fourth.

 

We had a great time in Wyoming this weekend.  It was warm and super sunny.  I decided to eat my lunch UNDER the table to stay out of the sun.  It worked!

 

And here I am hanging out with Grandma G - they stayed with us a couple of days on their way through to the reunion. 

 

Sam out - see you next week.