July 26th, Xenia Splash Pad Fun

 Mom and Dad were watching Gloria and Francine while Heather and Gary were in San Antonio.  We decided to join them at Xenia's park and splash pad at Xenia Station.  Elli was a 3 day Athletes in Action camp so she didn't join us.  Sherry brought Cody over as well as her sister Tammy and her two kids, Cody and Kaylee.  These kids had fun together playing imagination and running through the water.

 This old caboose is on site and only open one time a month.  We do have the phone number for the man in charge of it and may try to see it one time soon.  The kids were very interested in checking it out.

 We also found some Xenia Rocks.  I guess this is a "thing" all over the nation. People paint rocks then put the name of the city on them and hide them.  Then, there is a Facebook Page created for the city, like Xenia Rocks, and when you hide them you leave a note on there as to where you hid them.  Then, people like us walk around and try to find them.  We found a about 5-6 today and are looking for our chance to hide them somewhere else:)

Gloria found a minion rock. It really was a fun afternoon.

Summer Days

 Elli was inspired by Becca's Goat Yoga pictures and decided to try a few things with Bellah:)

 Bellah was not super happy about any of it.

 Micah took up with his magna tiles today and decided to use them on this big truck.  He figured out that they could all fit on his truck if he stacked them just right.  I love his little imagination.

More Bellah yoga:)  I do love my summer days with these kids.  I miss them and our time when we go back to school.

Caleb Turns 12

 We went to Magee park for Moms and Tots Park day on Caleb's birthday.  The kids had fun playing in the creek, finding tadpoles and crawdads, and being together.  We just gave Caleb $12 this year to go get something he really wants:)

They are getting so very big and grown up acting. It is really unbelievable.
Micah played much of the time on the charcoal grill there pretending to make food.  We gathered all sorts of leaves and walnuts to make delicious food.  He got other kids to join and play as well.

Mad at Uno

We were playing Uno and Micah didn't win...

Sherry's 40th Birthday Party

 The kids all made signs for her birthday.  They lined the Raymond's driveway waiting for Sherry to pull in.

 She was surprised!

 Lots of friends and family came out to celebrate Sherry

 Little Braden couldn't wait to run up and give her a hug.

 Paula made a beautiful mountain themed cake.  Travis wanted this to be all her favorite things.  We had lots of decorations for her including cows, moose, mountains, beach, Little Mermad, daisies, and sunflowers:)

We swam until about 11 at night and watched The Little Mermaid on the big screen at the pool:)

Paula's Pool

 We got to go swimming in Paula's pool. The kids played the whole time on this dolphin!

Apparently it is very difficult to balance on this thing:)

Treasure Map!

 Micah begged me to make him a treasure map to find buried treasure.  So, I made this map for him and set him off.

 Daddy and Elli were helping him read it.

 Here they are following the path to the treasure.

 He thinks he has found it under a rock in the garden.

 Sure enough, there is treasure hidden in a bag.

 He got a few cool coins and a pin of a cross with "diamonds."  he was thrilled!

So easy to make this guy happy.  He just wants your time.

Swimming at Heather's

 Gloria and Papa trying to get the shoulder stand just right:)

 Micah getting ready to jump off daddy's shoulders.

And Francine...those cheeks. hehehe

Annelise turns 3!

 Sweet little girl had a Sophia/swim party.  She was so cute.

 I missed the candle blowing but got this sweet picture of er while we were singing "Surely Goodness and Mercy."

Annelise loves Travis and wanted to sit on his lap while she opened presents.  Hilarious.  We got her a Sophia Lego:)

A Visit from Apom

 Apom was in town in July and we got to see him for a bit.  He says this may be his last trip to US.

 He is so good at telling stories and updating s on everything going on with the school.

 Cheryl and Rodger came as well.

 Apom cooked for us and we ate way too much but loved the time together.

 Ruby was so sweet to give him hugs.  Apom got a kick out of watching her.

 She had hugs for Aunt Cheryl as well.

 Getting ready to leave.  We stayed quite late at om and dad's and the kids were getting tired.

 Uncle Rodger has been in and out of the hospital quite a bit lately.  He had a quadruple bypass surgery in June and has been struggling with his health quite a bit since then.  He is wearing a "life vest" that will heart when his heart has trouble.  I guess he has had several heart attacks and doesn't even feel the pain of it.

Hugs all around before we go.

Cody in the Hospital

Cody had not been feeling well.  He kept a high fever and just wasn't himself.  He eventually was told to come to the hospital to begin iv meds for Kawasaki Disease.  He ended up staying in the hospital from July 7-11.  He was a trooper through it all, but was very glad to be going home.

The Kettering Rec

 We enjoyed a great day at the Kettering rec Center with Kyle and family as well as Caleb and Madilynn.  The kids played non stop and swam to the very last minute of being there!

 Micah was excited to try the high dive again.  He did say, "Why do I feel a little scared at the top?"  I guess last year he was to little to have fear:)

He even did fancy stuff like a canon ball!  Elli also went off the high dive.  I have video of all the kids, but somehow missed getting her picture up there.

Swimming at Heather's

 Elli and Gloria were having fun doing tricks in the pool.

 Micah and dad were enjoying having fun too.

 Posing

Potty break.  He thought he was hiding:)

Sword

"Mommy, will you help me make a sword that I can carry?"
I then proceeded to make what you see here.
"Mommy, you are the best mommy ever and I want to play with you all the time.  You have the goodest imagination."