7|21|14

Staycation #3

Once again Kent took Friday off to have another mini family vacation.

This time we hung out by the pool ALL DAY! It was a blast!  It's so nice being a part of the Schrock

pool...throughout the afternoon different people come to swim...and that makes it more fun for the kids too.

 

Showing off their diving board stunts!

Goggle Gurus!

 

After a morning swim on Saturday we headed to Matthiessen to do some hiking.

It was extremely crowded with no place to park so we decided to give Starved Rock a try...

Not exactly what the kids had in mind.  It was also very crowded but we managed to take a short hike before supper. 

Reilly kept saying he liked Matthiessen way better because there was more water and rocks there!

Not much water or rocks to throw at Starved Rock. We will have to take that into consideration next time we head that way:)

 

 We hiked to this water fall...that had no water falling ;(

 Then we climbed over 100 steps to see the Lodge...

This is the face Reilly made when I asked him what it was like climbing all those stairs.

 Friendly puppy...

 

 For supper we stopped at Cajun Connection! Quite the experience...let me tell ya!

Then we walked through a few shops along the road...a winery and cupcake bakery. 

 

Cute little truck...oh and the kids are too:)

 And...this would be Reilly's hand at the camera! Future Photographer in training!

 

Last but not least a stop at the Root Beer Stand for dessert!

Another fun weekend had by all!

 

 

 

 

Swimming Lessons

One fish...Two fish...

The kids really loved their swimming lessons this year!

They both learned a lot and can swim very well!

Thank you Katie! You are a great teacher!

 

 

 Great dive Reilly!

 

 

 Puddles had no fear of the diving board!

 

Basically floating all by herself!



 

7|10|14

Full Bloom

God has given the increase...

We feel so blessed to have this beautiful summer weather...the flowers and fresh garden produce show it all!

I planted 6 wave petunias to boarder a flagstone walk...they have grown so much we can hardly see the rocks anymore!

Our little garden...carrots, sweet peas, onions, mint and parsley.

Above this sunflower hangs our birdfeeder...millions of sunflower seeds have sprouted and have either been pulled

or sprayed with weed killer...but I decided to save ONE...it now stands 4ft tall...about to display it's bloom!

  

Combination pots...they have exploded this year! Beautiful color everyday!

 Blaze orange marigolds line our back sidewalk. 

Can't believe how fast they filled out...each plant is loaded with a dozen or so blooms!

Kent showed Reilly how to take the dead blooms off and pull the seeds out...so every chance

he gets he will be harvesting marigold seeds (even in his jammies).

 

 And lastly...my favorite...the Gladiola!

To God be the GLORY!

 

 

7|4|14

*****Independence Day/Weekend *****

July 3rd at the cabin...the kids had a blast with U. Ron's pop bottle rocket!

 July 4th breakfast at the cabin...followed by a gator ride and feeding the fish...

 Parade

 

Papa and Grandma Sweetie Pie joined us for a picnic and bike ride in the afternoon...

We finished our ride at 3:30...perfect timing on Daddy's part...that's when shakes are 1/2 price at Steak and Shake!!!!!

 Thumbs up!

 

 

In the evening we headed up to Eureka Lake for supper and fire works. We staked out our

spot around 6...3 hours of the play ground drained all 4 of us...but it was well worth the wait.

After the fire works show Sarina said "THAT WAS AWESOME!!!"

Thankful for another fun and safe weekend together as a family!

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!