WATER!!!

Due to construction on our house this summer - new windows, siding, flooring and digging a basement - we are not going to put up the pool.  While the kids are very excited about the extra room the addition will provide them, they are bummed about no pool in the backyard.  So, amid groans of "It's not fair" and "We are burning up," we dragged out the good old sprinkler and Jake and Lizzie went to town!  Zach was at a friend's pool party which is what started the entire "Fairness" debate!

Jake had a grand old time!

Lizzie would run full force, and then stop short and gingerly step through the water.

No pool to dive into?  Big deal!  He was still diving!

And what post is complete without a "boy and his dog" picture?

School's Out

Friday was the last day of school for the boys.  It was a day full of field days, tug of wars, and parties.

Brian and the kids pose before school.  Zach was being goofy and wanted to wear his baseball socks to school.  

Zach was being a "grumpy monkey" so Brian decided to pick the bugs off of him like a monkey would do!  What a nut!!

The boys. . .

I was able to surprise Jacob  at his field day!  He was surprised and happy to see me!

He was very glad I see me!

Then, in the afternoon, I surprised Zach at his end of the year party!

They had a great time playing with their squirt guns.

It was a very bittersweet day.  I am happy to have summer vacation here.  However, I am sad to see it all end.  The boys both had wonderful teachers this year and they grew by leaps and bounds.  We will miss those teachers but look forward to what the future holds.  Oh yea, and I am so NOT ready to have a child in junior high!!!

OH NO!!!

Within half an hour of my last past, Sadie got herself into BIG trouble and Brian is no longer "accustomed" to her!  She decided to chew on Zach's earbuds for his iPod!  Let's just say that Brian was not happy!!!  Oh well, she is still cute!!

Puppy Update

Some of you have been asking about Sadie.  So, here is a "Sadie Update."  She is doing very well at our house.  She has transitioned nicely from the big kennel my parents had her in to the smaller crate.  

She sleeps at the foot of mine and Brian's bed with occasional visits to Zach's bed.  She goes all night without waking us to go out.  I take her out in the morning - I have to admit this has put a cramp in my being able to sleep in.  Anyone who knows me knows that this is not good!

Basically, we have settled into a nice routine with her.  Even Brian has grown accustomed to her.  His only constant frustration with her?  She chews and chews and chews!  He says if we ever get attacked by kleenex, crayons or pencils we will definitely be safe as she will tear those items apart for us!  

But with a face like this how could we stay mad at her for long even if she has destroyed a box of Kleenex?

She loves to be with the kids no matter what they are doing.

Tuesday night = Baseball

Again tonight, we had two games at two different fields at EXACTLY the same time.  So, I went to Jacob's this time, and Brian went to Zach's game.

Jacob on first and ready to run to second.

Jacob played third base tonight.  Looks thrilled, huh?

And when it gets too boring on third, he does this!!  Funny thing - right after I took this picture, he snagged a grounder and got the baserunner out on third!  And to think, I didn't think he was paying attention!!

He had a few good hits.  He was most proud of the one that went to the outfield!

We are looking forward to Thursday and Friday nights when we only have ONE game each night!! 

Am I Beautiful?

That is Lizzie's favorite question to us this weekend.  She will stop, look at us and say, "Am I beautiful?"  Not sure where she has heard that, but she is sure she wants to be it!  

Here is she modeling her new pj's after her bath.

She loves to twirl and make the tutu fly!

She and her bitty baby matched for church on Sunday.  She was so proud of her baby. 

And yes, we think she is beautiful inside and out!  But then again, we are a little partial!

Botanical Gardens

This evening, we went to the Botanical Gardens at Lake of the Woods.  It was a gorgeous afternoon, and we all enjoyed ourselves.

We watched this little guy crawl up on the lily pad!

"Higher - Higher!!!  No, that is too high!!!"  I heard that many times today!

In front of the beautiful peonies.

Zach takes a break from watching the incredibly huge and pretty fish.

This is such a pretty place to spend an afternoon.

Brian and Sadie.

And no trip to the park is complete without a jump from the swing!