Outside play

Yesterdays post consisted of what the boys did inside the house so today I thought I would share some of the things they did outside over the summer.

Ajay's ball coach had the team come to the field to get their medals and have a cool treat.   They got to play a bit of ball, too.

Coach let Aren play a bit, too.

They loaded up for the ride home but first everyone ended up in the backseat.

Once the baseball season was over we enrolled the boys in swim lessons.  Here is Alex in his class.  (Not necessarily outside but at least out of our house.)

More sprinkler fun with the neighbors.

They felt compelled to lay on the hot cement.

More popsicles are always a hit.

Time to practice some karate kicks.  Line up, everyone!

Around the house

The boys took some time and creative juices to make a big spiderweb in their room.

Aren was a great helper as Daddy fixed a dresser drawer.

In jammies watching muffins bake.  Brother power.

Aren got in a bit of trouble - he spilled soo much cereal.  I asked him to clean it up but he ended up making a bigger mess.

Aren dragged a chair over to the counter - He knew where to find the iPad!

The boys and a few of the neighbor kids watching some television.

The boys worked hard setting this tent up.

Slow Country Livin'

My boys luuv going to visit my family out in the country.  The beg to help Papa with the chores and can't wait to go find eggs from the chickens. 
I have to admit I love it, too.  It is so quiet and peaceful.  I always come back home wondering what happened in the news because I don't watch much tv and I don't get on the computer.  Unless, of course, I need to check Ravelry for a crochet pattern. 
My brother, Matt, bought a golf cart to drive back and forth between their house and my parents.  Jenna gave the boys a little ride around the front yard.

They are parked, he's just pretending.

Aunt Brandi gave the boys a Popsicle to cool off

I think Aren had things a little turned around, here....

Jenna gave me a patriotic pedicure (and this was Aren noticing!)

Mom's Birthday

While the boys and I were visiting the family we had the chance to celebrate my Mom's XXth birthday. 

We all went to mass together and then went to a restaurant afterwards.  Nothing too big and fancy but a little something to say "We love you and support you in your oldness."  (HAHA!)

The boys learned a string trick that weekend and couldn't stop practicing on people.  There was also a box turtle found.  The kids pestered it until it was time to go to church.  When they let it go that turtle all but ran away!

We took up the whole basement, with only a few tables leftover. 

Go to a Mexican Restaurant and watch all the kids order corndogs and hamburgers.  Go figure.  This man was talented - he walked down the (narrow) basement stairs like this!

Done eating, time to act goofy.

Uncle Matt enjoys acting like a kid with the kids.

Mom with her cake.

Nana and most of her grand kids.

A good squeeze!!

The Farm Fourth

My brother likes to host our Fourth of July celebrations at his place.  Everyone brings a little food for the picnic and some fireworks to go in the pile. 

He has now hosted the 3rd (or 4th?) annual Clay Pigeon Shoot, as well.  It is a big hit with all involved. 

Letting the younger crowd shoot off their guns first, with plenty of adult supervision.

That is the contraption that flings the clay pigeons into the air for target practice.

Target practice for the younger set means aiming at empty soda pop cans.

Just about time for the adults to get started with their competition.

Aren felt the need to stick his head on the ground.

Tessa mid-pose.

Mom dressed up a watermelon for our picnic.

Sparklers!

Watcha got in the box there?  Can I have some?

One of my favorite photos!

Ajay on the hunt for more fireworks to set off.

All set up to watch the big show.  Audrey, Kyleigh, Aren.

They moved around a bit during the evening.  Whatever worked for the best views.

A visit to the farm

As mentioned before we spent the weekend following the 4th of July with my family.  We wanted to spend a few extra days, besides just the weekend, visiting so Biju stayed back home since he had to work. 

As soon as the boys got out of the van, before they even went into Nana and Papa's house, they ran to the peach tree for a snack and then a visit with the chickens.

I don't think the peaches were fully ripened but they didn't mind munching on them. 

They also were able to rope my dad into pitching a few balls for batting practice.

Aren wanted to get in on the action, too.

Aren hitched a ride with Jenna.

Checking out the newly stacked hay bales with Papa and Uncle Matt....and enjoying the nearby rock pile!

I found a fun patriotic star pattern that was pretty quick and easy.  Cute, too! (Her website is one of my favorites for crocheting and crafting.  She does the occasional crock pot recipe, as well!)

A little silliness for the camera.

Logan, Alex and Kyleigh using sticks from the ground to attack the old walnut tree.  And maybe each other, too.