Summer 2016 - July

And we're moving right along over here!  Another amazing, busy month of this summer has flown by, and as you can see below, it is EXHAUSTING!  We spent July in Chicago for the 4th (our 4th year spending it with the Bednarko's), Daddy had a big work trip and concert, we started and finished a deck project, did a little landscaping, have a new found obsession with the skate park/scootering/skateboarding/big boys who do both of those, visited the Zionsville Farmer's Market and had a second week of swim lessons for Luke!

We have really enjoyed just getting away for the 4th of July the last few years, spending it with Jason and Kristy and their boys, wherever they are living!  This year we drove up to Chicago Friday morning and stayed until Monday morning.  We played all day Friday, visited a park in their neighborhood, had pizza and rested up for the weekend!  We had a cookout on Saturday with my cousin's as well (who happen to live 13 miles down the road) and watched all SIX of our boys (4 and under) play.  It was a blast!  

Sunday we went to church and then did the Naperville Rib Fest after nap.  This is the second year we have done it, and it is a blast!  We had dinner while watching a concert, rode rides, played on a playground, etc.  So much fun and wears those boys out!

OH and how could I forget.  We bought a variety pack of fireworks on our way up and set those off Sunday night in the backyard.  The JOY on those sweet boys' faces was something I will NEVER forget.  They had the BEST time.  It was amazing.

We also updated our deck this month- the railings were falling apart and infested with carpenter bees, so Dave ripped them out, and we decided to create a bench around the deck for extra seating and an update without too much work (I say that lightly - Dave did a TON of work :)  We also updated one of our rock beds in the back!

Skateboard park!!  Luke told me one day as we were leaving Mulberry Fields, "Mommy - I want to bring my scooter to the skate park.  I'll need my helmet and my tennis shoes".  He was adamant.  Thus has sparked a new love for our buddy.  Physical things tend to take him longer to pick up.  He likes to observe and watch, and assess before trying anything new.  But since he came up with this one I decided to run with it, and it has been amazing watching him so engaged with this, trying new things, and challenging himself.  It is now one of our favorite new activities!

Also - we adore the Farmer's Market.  Doughnuts, fresh corn, popcorn, flowers and live music.  What more could you want??