Farm reunion

For some reason I only have these pictures from the farm family reunion weekend this year. Well, probably a few reasons for that (a) I don't carry my phone around the farm so I didn't have a camera and (b) I was trying to stave off nausea so not thinking about a camera at all. But alas, the farm was good fun. The kids had a blast too. We always love the farm family reunions. 

Kyle and Ryan on the tractor

At Ryan's house after the farm reunion. We spent a few days in Indy with them. It was great getting to see their new house and visiting their play stomping grounds. We hit up the local splashpad, Monkey Joe's for some indoor (read air conditioned) bouncing fun, the farmers market restaurant and just had a good time relaxing with Kristin, David, Ryan and Evan. 

Good night I Love Crystal

Emily and Kyle are taking good care of Emily's doll, I Love Crystal. At bedtime, they tuck her into her cradle and sing her a song. 

Blue Grass Festival

Once a week on campus, they put on a Blue Grass concert. It was a different band each week. We only made it to one of them, but it was a fun time. The kids had a blast dancing to the music. 

And then eating ice cream by the water.

Dancing monkeys

Three still dancing monkeys.

Gymnastics Camp

We found a great little gymnastics gym here in Madison for the kids. They have a camp running a few days a week and let you drop in when your schedule suits it. So today we checked it out and the kids had a BLAST! And they were actually the only 2 kids in camp today! So they basically had private gymnastics for several hours! They sure were beat afterwards, but they got to bounce, climb, flip, and jump to their hearts content! 

Look Mom, watch us flip!

Horse Track

It sure was HOT today. Like 100 degrees and then some hot. We went with Papa's hospital to Arlington Park Racetrack for the afternoon to watch the horses race. We've been to this even before and it's always a great time. This time was no exception. Despite the sweltering heat, the kids had a blast watching the horses run, getting tattoos and ice cream. Jeff also loves this event - not for tattoos and ice cream, but for the betting on horses.

Run horses run!

It's HOT out!

Cooling off in the sprinkler at Grandma's house

More sprinkler

Happy 5th Birthday Kyle and Emily!

Kyle and Emily are 5! It's hard to believe it's been 5 years already! Seriously, where has the time gone?! Everyone told me that time flies with kids, but seriously, I never could have imagined just how fast it has gone by! To celebrate, we had our family up to our apartment for a birthday celebration. What fun we had! The kids ran around and played with balloons, played cornhole, colored monkeys, played pin the butterfly on Curious George, and ate. The adults got to hang out and catch up and, of course, eat too.

Four kids actually sitting still... for a while at least

Addison

Emily getting ready to pin the butterfly on Curious George

Emily's Hello Kitty cake

Kyle's Curious George cake

Wednesday nights in Madison

Wednesday nights in Madison are full of activity! Each Wednesday in the summer, the city puts on a concert around the Capitol building. It seems like everyone comes out for these evening concerts and picnic on the square. This past week, we sat on the steps of the Capitol with our Merchant picnic and enjoyed some bluegrass music. 

Camelbacks

All ready for all weather - humid weather - bike riding and running around here in Madison! The kids can now carry their own water on their backs and have easy access even while biking. And there is a nice little space for Miko and Deedee to ride along (though they don't really get to ride along for my fear of them getting lost). 

Emily and Addison

Emily has been the only girl cousin for the past 5 years. She now has a girl cousin to go along with her 9 boy cousins! 

Slip and Slide at Grandma's

Wahoo! Slip and slide at Grandma's!! What a perfect summer activity! Mind you, the video below is the best of many, many slide attempts.