6|22|14

Staycation #2

Daddy took the day off on Friday and we had another fun vacation weekend...around home!

Friday we headed to Splash Down water park. We spent most of the day there! No pictures though...

I'm too nervous my camera will get carted off or dunked in the water.

But we did get a few pictures of the rest of the weekend.

 

Sunday afternoon we packed the van with our (new) bikes and headed to the Constitution Trail!

Kent and I have been dreaming of getting bikes for a few years now...so on Friday before we hit the water park we

splurged and bought ourselves some bikes! It was a tight fit but we squeezed it all in.

The kids all snuggled in and ready for a ride!

 About 3 miles into the ride I was getting a little thirsty...and we just happened to be going right by Emack and Bolio's. 

They make some delicious & refreshing smoothies!

 Slurp!

 After our 7 . something mile bike ride we got a Little Caesars, Hot and Ready Pizza and had a picnic supper at the park. 

The kids love parks! Especially if there are big slides... 

 trains close by...and

 ...swings!

Another fun family weekend together.

Love it! Little packing...minimal "are we there yet?"...and money saved!!!

I'm tellin' ya...it's a great way to vacation!

 

6|15|14

Father's Day

Happy Daddy Day!

You and us, Daddy,

We have lots of fun-

We're little, your big,

but our growing's not done!

Wherever you go,

and whatever you do-

We love you and want to be

right there with you!

 

These two rolled out of bed too early. So I put them to work getting Daddy's breakfast ready!

 

 Reilly's gift...coupons for Daddy! Ry typically will not write a word without asking me it's spelling first...

but I decided he needs to start trying on his own.  That makes them even more special, right?

 

For my Husband on Father's Day...

It takes a lot of work to raise a family as close as ours,

and I'm grateful for all the care, respect, and support you show us...

You're a wonderful Husband and Father, and you put so much of yourself

into the life we all share...Even though you don't hear this as often as you

should, I hope you know how humbled I am to have you and how very much I love you!

Happy Father's Day.

 

And for my Daddy...I love you so much!

I realize everyday how much work it is to be a parent...
I'm so thankful for all that you've taught me and your constant

example. You mean so much to me!

 And a few more special family photos.

 Gramps and his clan!

There...I think I've said enough!

 

 



6|6|14

Toads and Strawberries

Dear Mr. Toad...oh the places you will go. 

You would have been better off being a cat. 

I believe they are born with 9 lives...you on the other hand...one, long, miserable life! Poor you, but thanks for keeping my children so well entertained! 

Love, Mom of your captor

 Sarina would rather look and not touch this one.

 

 ...and this is what happens when Mr. Toad gets to close to Sarina...Screeech!

 These two did great in the strawberry patch.  Reilly picked all the berries in the box he is holding...
Sarina on the other hand picked 5 berries...and said "All done!" Then she sat in the grass, took
all the tops off and preceded to taste each one.

 

Slerrrp! Yum, Yum! Tastes like summer!

5|29|14

Kent is 30!  |  Family Staycation #1

Happy Birthday!

There he is...the Birthday Boy...enjoying his favorite dessert (Culver's) in the form of cake!

Turtle Custard Cake...Yummily

 My man HATES surprises...as I learned the hard way on our second year of marriage....so I begged

him to tell me what he would like to do for his 30th! He decided to go out for supper with these

four fun couples!  We laughed and made many more memories at Biaggi's.

  Little miss Puddles was supposed to be sleeping but instead got in on opening presents...

 So glad he has had 30 healthy years and hope many more to come! Happy Birthday Dear.

 

 Staycation

At our current stage of raising children, we have decided to stay close to home for our 2014 vacations.

So...on Friday May 30th Daddy took the day off work and we spent the day at the Peoria Zoo.

 

 Mr. Zoo Keeper was showing us how big the tiger's scull is...it fit perfectly around Reilly's head!

 There are my 3 favorites!

 gotta have at least one picture of the animals...

                 rock climbing                                                    watching the monkeys

 For some reason our chillin's thought the concrete animals were more fun than the real ones... go figure!?

 Kent was behind the camera for this photo...not quite like the San Diego Zoo plant life but still pretty.

 

 It was a beautiful...hot...family day...at the Zoo!

 

The rest of the weekend consisted of Daddy serving us up some delicious food!

Trying out the new griddle...yep...it was yummy!

 Omelets and pancakes...not just your ordinary pancakes...

after taking my first bite he informed me that he used ice cream as part of the milk.

 What a grand and scrumptious idea!

 Like Father Like Son...always in the kitchen when anything is in the making...
especially when sprinkles are allowed.

 Warm weather is here and our freezer is fully stocked with...

ICE CREAM!

Kent is the master of the scoop. One of his many specialties is making the perfect cone.

Mmmm...that's good!

 I believe Daddy just made a weird face or slurping sound...

that's why Reilly's giggling and Sarina is most likely going to try to recreate the sound!

That sums up our first vacation weekend!