Fourth of July at Grandma and Grandpa Wilcox's House

We had so much fun at Craig and Karen's house for the fourth. Here are the kids in their boat parade masterpiece for 2013. We made it half-way around the lake before we ran out of candy.

Isaac is a lot like his mother, he really gets into the boat decorating.

Here is an action shot of the kids throwing the candy. It was very exciting if someone besides the fish actually got the candy.

Isaac and Gabe in action.

Even Luke got a bag of candy to throw.

Craig and Grandpa Wayne enjoying the lake.

Fun in Grandma's hammock.

The ladies are spending some time together.

Ethan loves to ride the jet ski.

The boys talked Grandma into riding the Airhead. You can see Cael giving the sign to go faster. The boys thought it was awesome to have Grandma riding with them.

Here's hall the kids watching Grandma in the tube.

Isaac and Owen took 2nd in the 2-3 year-old paddle boat races.

Then Scott ran a race with Ethan and Isaac, too.

We were so happy to get to spend lots of weekends at the lake this summer with the whole crew there. It's great to be close to family!

 

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A Visit with my Roomie, Kim

One of my best friends and college roommate came to Iowa in July. Kim moved to Texas right after college, so we do not see each other much. We have no problem picking up right where we left off. I was so happy to get her message that she wanted to get together. We met at Holiday lake where we got to spend the afternoon together. It was so fun. I'm going to have to plan a trip to Texas.

We had to get one of Kim's famous shots where we take the picture of ourselves.

Kim and I rode the inter tube together. The kids wanted to ride with us, but we said you had to be roommates in college to ride on this ride. That ruled them out. We screamed and laughed so hard I cried. It was awesome. Kim kept asking Scott if "that was all he had", so he gave us a pretty good ride.

After seeing how much fun the moms had, Ava decided to ride with Isaac and Ethan.

Kim and her little cutie Aiden. He was so fun to hold and play with. What a cutie!!!

Mondo and Ava fishing.

Karen and Lois had fun chatting. It was so nice of Karen and Craig to share their house with us.

 

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Happy Birthday Owen

Owen is 3 years old! I can't believe it! He wanted a hot wheels party. (I tried really hard to talk him into Sesame Street or puppies, but he was determined to have hot wheels.) Here is Owen with all his cousins ready to blow out his 3 candles. He got them all out.

He was so happy the whole day. He loved being the center of attention.

The birthday boy with Aunt Traci. We were so happy to have a party with all of Owen's aunts, uncle, cousins, grandparents, and Great Grandpa and Grandma Wilcox. As everyone started to arrive he got more and more excited. He looked at me with his big blue eyes and said "They're all here for me!"

The cool dude opening his presents. He got sunglasses in his last present, and he loves sunglasses.

Grandpa Wayne watching Owen open his presents. I did offer him a more comfortable seat, but I think he wanted to be close to the action.

Thanks Ethan!

Karen led a game of Simon Says. She's a fun Grandma.

Another Simon Says shot.

Scott led a game of wrestling. The kids love it. Until one starts crying, which is how it always ends.

We celebrated Melissa and Luke's birthdays too!

The little boys were happy to let Avery give them a ride on the Gator.

The big boys played some basketball.

 

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Welcome Home Daddy

Scott came back from Brazil 2 weeks after the rest of us. The boys were so excited to have him back! Me too!

 

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Strawberries with Traci

Traci came to our house as soon as she could after we got home. We got the crazy idea of going strawberry picking. It all started with me buying a $9 small box of locally grown strawberries at Fareway. There was a website, and we called to see if the strawberries were cheaper if you picked them yourselves. They were less than 1/3 of the price, so we were off to Long Grove.

The plants were loaded with beautiful, red berries. Mmmmmm! We picked 2 1/2 flats! We were second guessing this decision as we removed all the hulls afterwards. We made some pies and even jelly.

Traci and Isaac working hard. Isaac was a good little picker.

Owen did very good, too. He did get a few green ones, but not too many. Every time he picked one he said, "Mmmmmmm, I can't wait eat that one!"

Isaac and Ethan working hard. Man, Ethan could move through a row fast. He was at the end before I moved 2 feet. He also filled up his box fast.

They also had some toys. Aunt Traci purchased some rubber ducks, so we could have some duck races. We had fun with this for a long time.

Now that's my kind of chair.

 

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Father's Day with Grandpas

We got to share Father's Day with my dad and Scott's dad. Scott is still in Brazil, but we will make him his own day when he gets back. He says he just wants to play golf.

We had a picnic in Devil's Glen park on Saturday. It was a beautiful day, and we just picked up some fried chicken from Hy-Vee, Dad's favorite! Traci, Owen, and I made some pies, too, also Dad's favorite.

Grandpa eating pies with his boys. I think he was in heaven.

Isaac said Grandpa was the BEST pusher because he pushed really hard.

Isaac tried to give Grandpa a ride on the swing.

I think Grandpa liked his Pocket Hose.

On Sunday Grandma and Grandpa Wilcox came over. We grilled up some T-bone steaks for Grandpa Craig because that is what he likes and ate them on the deck. It was another gorgeous day. Grandpa helped the boys set up a ramp for their cars into the pool. They used his engineering skills.

Here is Craig helping the boys. So cute! They love playing with him.

 

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