Another parade

My kids will get use to this, in the summer I have anywhere from 2-4 parades that I participate in for work.  Mark and his parents brought the kids to Hull for this one.  They claim it's the largest candy parade in NWIA.  I can't say there is anymore candy than any other parade I attend, but I suppose when you have a candy factor in town it's a nice claim to fame.

I was entry 27 out of 80 some so I got to come join the kids! Callen wanted to share the candy with everyone around him :)

Fourth of July- Boone, IA

We decided to try something new this year.  Megan, Jess and I always reminisce about our past holiday traditions.  Usually more Christmas, but also we've spent many Fourth of July's together.  So this year Megan & Marty built a beautiful house out on a couple acres.  They have a wonderful "camp ground" and we decided to all tent.  It was really fun!  I can say that because I slept in the air conditioned house with Callen :) It was too much work to put a pack N play in our tent and it wasn't big enough.  The nice part was it was just a hop, skip & a jump away from the "camp ground".  We had a great time talking around bonfires each night, eating great food, and most of all enjoying each other's company.  We took the kids swimming and to watch fireworks.  I look forward to doing it again in the future, Easton loved it!

The guys bailed hay, the kids loved watching!

Heritage Days

This year we actually had the town celebration! Thankfully it wasn't over taken by a terrible flood like 2014.  The kids enjoyed the parade with Grandma & Grandpa as Mommy had to be in the parade for work and Daddy had to work at the bank!

Callen was scared of the fire trucks, ambulance, etc.  Anything that made a loud noise, but Easton was thrilled! He got good at picking up candy :) He enjoyed the inflatables again this year.  Afternoon naps were a must!

We ended the evening with the Figure 8 Races.  Easton was pumped, the only difference for us this year is we weren't cheering for Todd & Terry, just Todd.  It was nice to see him in the stands for a change ;)

Easton, Mark & Terry

We found Uncle Caleb on a potty break ;)

Hanging with the big boys!

We have a race fan!

Happy Father's Day!

Mark is the sweetest man I've ever met.  He is an amazing Dad, and every time he does something to remind me of this I always tell him.  I know plenty of other Dad's that don't give baths, change diapers, make supper, do laundry, etc.  He will do all of that.  I am forever grateful for his love and relationship he has with me and the kids.  He's truly the man of my dreams, I couldn't have asked for a better Father to my children.  Happy Father's Day!

I failed to get a picture of Mark with the boys today, but I know he's proud of his most recent project.  He started building this beginning of the week, and finished it up tonight!  Easton was so proud saying "my Daddy build it"! It looks great, the backyard is starting to come together, now we just need some landscaping and a fence!

Daddy's assistants....on a snack break- go figure!

Also a Happy Father's Day to my Dad.  I know he enjoyed his gift, and they'll get used frequently this summer at his lake place.  Moscow Mule, his new summer drink!

Sunshine & Summertime!

So many fun moments, but here are just a couple.  I made homemade popsicles for the boys.  They are in the shapes of fish.  The first one Easton had was a shark, so he refers to them now as "shark juice"!  They know we only eat them outside and we always sit on the back step.  So cute. The next pictures are from Scheels.  Easton loves that store, it has a play place and a Ferris Wheel! He hit a milestone, finally tall enough to ride it!

 

Suns out guns out!

Daddy Daycare at the Lake

The kids love hanging out at the lake cabin.  I was on a high school friend trip to Omaha this weekend, and Mark took the boys over to the lake on Saturday.  They stay busy and keep everyone else busy, as you can't let them out of sight! 

Easton pushes anything with wheels! This truck had enough (or it was just made in China) and broke down in transport.  If left Easton with a good scrape on his arm, but he's tough.  When it happened he was more worried about the wheel falling off then his injury :)

Callen got glasses!

We knew from the time he was 6 months old that his eyes just didn't seem right.  His pediatrician told us that it was normal for eyes to cross as they were working on strengthening eye muscles.  At 9 months I asked again, and again at 12 months.  Finally he referred us to a pediatric eye doctor.   He reassured us he didn't think anything was wrong, but we could have his eyes checked.  I was relieved to say the least. Well, we had his eyes checked (in May) and he did indeed need glasses!  His vision was pretty bad, and when he would try and focus his eyes would cross. So he doesn't have a cross eye or lazy eye, he has vision problems.  We got him glasses and he couldn't be more excited!  The smile on his face, his reaction to seeing me, and everything else was priceless.  I'm so happy that we were able to catch this so early, and our little man is now seeing the world!