July 4th

I know I am behind, but cut me some slack! I actually have some down time here while the movers are packing my house;)' I have to say if you have the option, it is definitely the way to go. Now I don't know if I would pay out of my pocket to do it, but it would be a tough decision! I keep asking to help out and they just tell me to relax!
Anyways back to the topic at hand..... The 4th of July! This year was a little different than past years, but fun all the same! We ended up going back to Ames to have one last weekend as a family there. They have a lot of things to do and we got to spend time with some friends as well. After we all got dressed in our jeans and jackets....ugh.....we headed out to breakfast as we didn't have any food in our house, before we headed to the parade. It was touch and go as to weather or not they would even be having it as it was raining, but since we were out and the parade was still going on we decided to brave it! It was about an hour shorter then usual, I am sure due to the rain, but we met up with some friends and the kids caught some soggy candy under their raincoats. I had my camera, but didn't get any pics in the rain!

That evening we had some neighbors over for a grillout and Kate got her first taste of corn ON the cob! As you can tell from the picture it was a hit!

Before we headed out to the fireworks Mackenzie took a tumble.....and I mean full out rollover on her new scooter. She was just going down the sidewalk and I looked up and she was rolling off the scooter. It isn't very dark, but in the picture above is one of the boo boo's to show for it. She scraped up her face and had bandaids all down her left side! I can report that she recovered just fine after she got her "High School Musical" bandaids on!

Then met up with some other friends for the fireworks in town! The girls had fun with the sparklers, snacks and....

.....Someone else (Brett) had fun with the glow sticks!

Here is what he really looked like!!!

I got several pics of the fireworks, but since you probably all saw them on the 4th, I'll spare you them again, but I had to put one of the girls favorite ones on here.....the smiley face! It was so cute watching Kate watch the fireworks....she would go "Whao"......and copy what we were saying!

SOLD!

We finally sold our house! Hallelujah.....praise the Lord! I guess all it took was for us to leave. Last week after a couple days of negotiating we agreed on a price that we are very happy with......the only sad thing is that I had to end up leaving them my fridge! God has always been so faithful and real to us in our housing situations and once again He shows us His mercy! No more showings!!! It sounds as if the couple will be a great fit for our house as well!

On the new home front......we might get to close earlier than expected. Like a couple days early, but every day counts when there is a lot to do! I had kicked around the idea of hiring a painter beings that every inch -2 closets (literally) of the house needs to be painted and I even got some quotes from a couple painters. When it comes down to the schedule and money we still might be the ones doing it. I kind of have mixed emotions about it....excited and looking forward to it on one hand, but then reality hits on the other side and I know I will get burnt out and it wouldn't be as professional looking! We need to do some shopping for appliances and living room furniture.....it is always a stressful time for me as I HATE making big decisions that will last for a long time!

So next week is going to be busy, but first we have some celebrating to do! We are going back this weekend to do a couple things around the house getting ready for the movers and spend one last weekend celebrating the 4th Ames style, although I have to say I would rather be in Chicago with my family on the annual 4th of July trip! 2 little kids and millions of people don't make a good combination!

Summer at G&G - Part 1

The girls and I get the privilege of staying with my parents in our transition. We have been having a lot of fun playing with different toys, having attention 24/7, new playmates and most of all being outside "on the farm!" Here is a few highlights of our 1st couple weeks:

We got here on Father's day and we had to laugh as we pulled into the driveway right behind my parents as they were getting home from a weekend trip! Couldn't have planned it even if we tried. We did a little celebrating with my Dad and Aaron! I am so blessed to have a Father that loved me enough showing us Christ's Love, and the example of what I wanted (and got) in a husband and father to my children!

Here is our traditional holiday pose...all of us pile on the couch. We missed you Andrew and Amy!

Mackenzie had to hurry and make Papa a card(a maze from a coloring book)!

We have spent many a night playing games around the table. Our family is a game playing family and I love it!

Playing with Aunt Amy has been a highlight. We have gotten to spend some time with her going to the pool a couple times!

Kate's favorite spot! She is so funny......she pulls people off the chair if she wants to sit down.

The good ol' slip-n-slide.... a summer activity that never gets old. The change in the weather from last week to this week is so dramatic that we haven't even been able to play on it lately!

Kate had so much fun watching Mackenzie go down. Every time she would chuckle and her whole body would just shake. You can kind of tell from the picture........we were laughing at her laughing at Mackenzie.

One of the funniest stories of "Part 1" is when we were outside and my little brother was out helping to set up the slip-n-slide and Mackenzie comes running to me......
Mackenzie: "Mom, Drew went pee in the grass and I tried to do it too!"
Me: "You What?!?!?!"
Mack:" I couldn't do it though"
So we had a little talk about how God made boys and girls differently and girls do NOT go potty outside! She then asked me "Is that why boys have things that wiggle?"
Me: (trying to muffle my laugh) "Yes honey!".....................What in the world!
I had to question my brother as to what happened and he said that she ran away and did not watch him, but knew what he was doing!
1 hr later:
I noticed that she had ran somewhere and was gone for a while, but didn't think much of it. I finally called for her and she comes running "Mom I did it, I did it....I went pee a little bit!"
Me: "MACKENZIE, what did I tell you? Girls do NOT go potty outside!"
I guess that is more of the country girl coming out in her! I have noticed it more and more since we have been here at my parents......a couple times she has went out to do chores with Papa...and just plain loves to be outside doing whatever!

We have also got to watch my little brother play baseball a couple of times, something that I feel I have really missed out on....watching him grow up. He was 2 when I moved away to college!