Final Days of Summer- Part 2

We've been busy I guess...I needed to make 2 parts to the "Final Days of Summer" :).

August 14- The kids and I decided we needed to get out of the house for a while.  So we headed to the zoo!  

Feeding the goats!

I love these 2!  (The humans, not the goats)

Nora loves to have her photo taken in these things :)

And Ethan loves monkey bars.  This was the first time he did these particular monkey bars all by himself.  They are higher than other ones.  He was so excited!

Carousel fun!

Cute girls!
(Disclaimer: Atley did not ride the carousel with only Nora holding her.  In fact,  she rode on a completely different one with me holding on to her the whole time)

We also went for a night swim that day when Jared got home!  And basically had the whole pool to ourselves!  Jared, Ethan, Nora AND I jumped off the diving board.  So much fun!!

Family swimming selfie!

August 15- Jared and Ethan went to the barbershop for back to school haircuts!  Mt. Zion just got a new barbershop- like a real one.  Jared's favorite part is the hot lather and neck shave...with a straight razor!  

Getting started

He's always so serious

Final product from the side!

My 2 favorite guys looking so handsome with their new styles!

August 17- Today, we decided to do one last pool day before the start of school.  It wasn't the best day, weather wise, but we got enough sunshine and pool time in before the thunder. 

Waiting out the thunder for a little more swimming time.
These 3 are my world! 

Final Days of Summer- Part 1

We've been trying to make the most of the final days of summer break.  School starts tomorrow for Ethan.  Here's a little of what we've been up to for the last week or so!

August 8- We went to the Decatur Celebration parade in downtown Decatur.

Enjoying the parade

They were holding hands!  So, of course, I had to take a picture.

Checking out the Air Force jet.

Pizza slices as big as your head...

She chose grilled cheese and chips :)

Grilled cheese for this one too!

Topped off with Italian ice in baseball helmets

Nora, Atley and Ethan by the Transfer House and Central Park Fountain

August 9- We headed to O'Fallon, IL (a last minute decision) to go to Katie Sue's 4th birthday party!

Nora put Minnie's bow in just the right spot! (Maybe with a little help)

Ethan didn't...

Birthday Girl, Kaite

Opening presents!

August 10- We had a fun playdate at the Koskinen's house!

The big kids jumping on their new trampoline.  And yes, that's a sprinkler under it.  They had a BLAST!

Atley enjoyed the dry, big kid-less trampoline :)

August 12- We went to Fletcher Park in Mt. Zion for a little fun!

Atley loves to swing!

So does her sister!  And she's good at it too!

Ethan- in between monkey bars and swings stopped and smiled.

August 13- We went to Mt. Zion's Pony Express Days (it's basically a town fair).  The kids loved the rides!

Nora and our neighbor Liz on the potato sack slide (it was FUN! I went down once with Nora)

Ethan and Zach

I loved riding the ferris wheel with Nora.  

Swimming Lessons

Earlier this summer Ethan and Nora took a couple weeks of swim lessons.  They loved it and did so wonderfully!  By the end, Ethan had passed his swim test and can now jump of the diving boards!  I'm so proud of both kids!  Nora continued to show no fear and was jumping off the diving boards (with a lifeguard to catch her) like a pro!

Nora- waiting her turn to swim

Kick, kick, kick

Ethan learning to dive

Nora on the diving boards!

Ethan tried to see how far out he could jump

Check out that form :)!

I took a couple videos of Ethan swimming and both jumping off the diving boards...

Here's Nora jumping

And Ethan.

And here's the second half of Ethan passing his swim test!! 

Visit to Indy

Last week we went to Indy to visit the Jolliffs, who have been in the states for the summer.  Hap, Elizabeth, Sam, Andrew, Jacob and twins, Abigail and Abram were prefect hosts!  We had so much fun, even if it was just a 24 hour visit!  We played, swam, ate, celebrated a birthday and caught up with great friends!!  

3 babies watching the big kids swim!

Nora- jumping off the diving board

Sam, Nora, Jacob, Andrew, Ethan
Love these kids!!

Playing catch off the diving board!

Pizza night!

Atley and Abby

Playing before bedtime

Happy Birthday to Andrew!   

Sam and Ethan

8 Kids!

Andrew and Ethan

Nora and Jake!  These 2 played together so well!

Elizabeth and I with our crazy group of kids!  Love them all!

It was such a great time catching up!  The kids played so well together.  Elizabeth and I have known each other since kindergarten.  Even though we don't get to see each other often, we always seem to pick up right where we left off.  That's the sign of a true, deep friendship.  I am blessed to know her and her family!