creative play at its finest

I'm loving the kiddos recent Lego addiction.  They are enjoying creating fun things and then taking them into the yard to create dirt piles for their machinery.  I'm thankful that they aren't playing video games!!  They even got the Barbies out the other day!  Layla had Hayden dressing up one of her Barbies.   Summer fun at it's finest y'all!  The cold front has cooled down the pool water, so they decided to do other things since they can't swim!  I'm good with it!

amazing art

I took this picture when storm clouds were rolling away from our house last night.

I just love it! God is so good and he is an amazing artist! 

puppy dog twister

These silly dogs were just standing there like this staring at me, and of course I snapped a picture while laughing!  

#singlesentenceSunday

heading on down the river

Yesterday during our bike ride we decided to ride down to the dam near our home.

Once we got there we saw a boat, The ValleyGem, heading to the lock area of the dam.  It was going to pass through and we have never seen this happen before.

I have always been curious about how this works, so it was a great learning experience for all three of us!

We got to see the boat enter the lock area.

Then we saw the gates close and the water raising the boat up to exit the locking area.

This is the front of the boat as the water is rising to help the boat pass through to the other side of the dam.

Now the gate is opening to let the boat pass.

Bye Bye ValleyGem! 

Layla was excited to see the ValleyGem because she got to tour the boat during a 3rd grade field trip.  She got to drive the boat!

I was excited because I've always been curious about the whole, locking dam idea.  I never really understood how it worked.  It was really cool!

What a fun afternoon adventure here in Ohio!

Hayden is 6!!

This little man is 6 today!

He chose blue cake and blue frosting for his cake this year!  And of course we had cake for breakfast!

6!!

Love my guys!

The kids had a fun morning playing drawing and playing cars on the driveway.

Hayden picked The Boathouse for his birthday dinner.  We had wonderful weather for a dinner outside!

I love my little family!

The kiddos ended their evening with an almond milk toast to Hayden!

we found a fun lake!

Gary was off today and so we decided to explore a new lake.

The kids loved playing in the sand and rolling in the waves.

Looks like a cool yoga pose, huh?!

The inflatable floating island was pretty fun too.

Hayden always takes monster trucks to play in the sand.  They roll and splash in the trails he makes for them and of course Layla builds castles for them to drive into.

Getting buried in the sand is the best part. We had a super fun beach day!

his early birthday gifts

Today when we visited dad at work we gave Hayden his helmet and motorcycle gear!  Even though he doesn't have a dirt bike he has been asking for a cool helmet for riding his bicycle.  Dad found one and a set of gloves too!  Hayden is thrilled and probably won't take his helmet off for quite some time.

There was a cool race car at the Honda shop and Hayden got to climb in.  He had the biggest smile on his face.  The boy loves cars and trucks and bikes and anything that goes.....

He's just like his daddy!

grass is not his friend

Hayden had his allergy testing today and it was not a fun time.

I was so sad for him, but luckily it was over fast and we found out he's very allergic to grass, although we already knew that.  I'm thankful it's over and I'm glad we have answers, but yuck yuck yuck.  That was torture.  Hayden was brave and after the testing he wanted Chic fil A, so off we went to make my sweet boy happy after a painful morning.  

downtown on Sunday

We decided to head downtown this morning for the River Roar.  We were sad that the boat races were cancelled due to high winds.  I just know the kids would have loved it.

The kiddos were pretty concerned with this fire down the river.  It smelt awful and pieces of ash were flying all around.  The announcer of the races said it was a recycling plant down the river.  It's so sad.  I hope everyone was ok.

There was also a car show on Front Street.  We loved looking at some of the old cars.  Our family favorite was the 1972 model suburban.

When we got home the bottom fell out and it poured rain.  Thankfully our covered patio lets us enjoy the rain while grilling and relaxing.

The ferns got water and we sampled the beef jerky Gary made.  It was his first time and it turned out amazing.  He grilled us chicken and sausage with veggies too.

Lily Jack enjoyed laying on her bed on the porch.  She was nice and peaceful until Daisy jumped on her head and woke her up.  Those two pups fight and wrestle as much as the kiddos do! 

It was a fun Sunday for us, even if the boat races were cancelled.

Layla is 9!!

Can you believe this sassy little sweetie is 9 today?!?!?!?

Her cake of choice this year is cookie cake.  She started off the morning in one outfit and then after she opened her gifts and blew out the candles she put on her new birthday gift...a sassy fun outfit with tie-died pants.

Daddy and daughter....oh how I love these two!

We went on a bike ride and then afterwards we headed to 7-11 for free Slurpee day because you know Layla shares her birthday with the convenience store 7-11.  It's a yearly tradition.

After our Slurpee's we hit the mall so LK could spend her birthday money.  She got an iPhone case, a kindle case, a fun pillow and some crazy big eyed creature she's been dying to purchase.  She's in heaven with all her new presents and her best friend got her and Hayden a memory book.  It is the cutest thing ever!

I love this girl and am so happy I am her momma.  I have the best job ever!