Happy Fourth of July!

 We had a nice Fourth of July (except for Jay, who had strep).

 We stayed home during the day and made yummy food, like this dip--which actually isn't totally like the link because I couldn't find chocolate cream cheese so we used strawberry.

 We also had these scones, which didn't look as pretty as the Pinterest picture but were still very tasty!

 My cousin's daughter was selling fireworks for a fundraiser so I said I'd take a pack.  I think we got a deal!

 The first one of the night:  Mr. Turtle.

 For some reason they always have to walk through the smoke.

 Watching Uncle Erik light the snakes.

 Ice cream break!

Alice and Piers liked sitting at their desk.

 We set off quite a few of the ones from the pack but we also saved some for when Jay feels better--which will hopefully be soon!

Missouri Road Trip

We left early Saturday morning for a road trip to Missouri--the first stop was breakfast at the donut shop.

 

Then it was time for a group picture before hitting the road!

 

We stopped at Lambert's for lunch.

 

They have giant mugs there--I don't think I saw anyone ask for a refill!

 

 Jack liked catching the rolls.  I got a good video of him catching, but this is the only picture I got.

After lunch we went to Mansfield.

 

We toured Laura Ingalls Wilder's Rocky Ridge Farm, her last home.

 

We also got to tour the rock house that their daughter built for them.  It is where she wrote the first four Little House books.

 

This is the spring house near the rock house.  You can't take pictures inside so I can't share that with you, but it is worth the drive!

 

Then we drove on to our hotel in Branson where the kids were very excited to check out the arcade.

 

Having a picnic in the room!

 

We had a room that could sleep all 8 of us.  The kids took turns sleeping in the bunk beds, but during the day they all liked to sit on top and watch TV.

 

Sunday night we went to visit Jay's aunt, who lives nearby.

 

Playing at Aunt Delpha's

 

Sunday night was also the kids' first night in the bunk beds.  That night I ended up sleeping on the bottom bunk with Alice and the next night she fell out of the bed and ended up sleeping with me.  I'm glad we didn't put her on the top bunk!

 

We started Monday with a trip to Krispy Kreme.

 

Then we went to a mini-golf place near our hotel.

 

It was really hot!

 

We spent most of our time at the hotel waterpark.  This was Jack's favorite slide.  It was really fast!

 

Alice (and I) preferred this one!

 

Monday night we went to Branson Landing to shop and see the light and water show.

 

It was my birthday so we had cake at the hotel--and thankfully didn't set off the smoke alarms!  (I also got to have Culver's for dinner, so I was very happy!)

 

We checked out Tuesday morning, shopped for a bit, and then headed home.  We stopped for lunch in Springdale and had a chocolate mess for dessert!

We came home worn out, but we had a great time!  Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for a great vacation!

Whirlwind

 I've always thought of May as our busy month, but this year June has been non-stop!

(Picture from one of the movies in the park our town does each June.)

 Of course we started with birthdays.

 We had cookouts.

 We went blueberry picking.

 We went to a picnic for our high school reunion.

 Jack in a giant inflatable ball my dad got for Father's Day.

 Alice got her summer reading medal--and that awesome free coupon for the aquarium!

 We went to the movies.

 We went to our town's first Summer Solstice street festival.

 Trying to decide on a dessert...

 Jack went with the sno cone!

 And we've been in the yard a lot--working and playing.

 This sweet message made from minifigures was left on the table.

We've spent the last couple of days babysitting and are hitting the road for a few days, so June is going out with a bang, too!