Summer is Here

Things have been warming up around here as we have officially welcomed summer.  We were excited for Ellie to get home to us Wednesday evening.  She got home just as Andrew and Jackson were heading out to his ball game.  She and Mary had a little adventure trying to get their flight home.  Their original flight out of Flint ended up being cancelled because the pilot was sick.  So they taxied them to Detroit but got there too late for the flight they were supposed to take.  They switched their flights a couple times before the ended up on one that left about 6 hours later than their original one.  But they made it home safely so we were happy about that.  Ellie had such a great time and it is so nice of Granny to take her along for the fun. 

Ellie begged to go to my parents house after the game to see them and Bella.  So we went there for a bit for them to play and then headed home.  Thursday was the big lemonade stand.  The LaBeths were out early getting things ready which my kids were still in bed.  Addi had everything planned out and organized.  They did a great job.  They had several different types of treats and lemonade.  They also had some very generous customers.  Our mailman stopped by twice and Wilbur the parrot even bought a couple of rice krispie treats. Tiffany made some awesome strawberry lemonade with real strawberry pieces but the pieces kept getting stuck in the spout.  At one point we noticed Ellie with her hand in the lemonade trying to pull the strawberry pieces out.  So I emptied the lemonade and put some new stuff in.  We left before they were all done but Tiffany texted me to let me know that they made $253 to send to the tornado victims in Oklahoma! 

Ellie was in charge of entertainment for a bit-dancing

After a hot morning at the lemonade stand it was time for a swim.  Ellie, Bella, and Lincoln had a blast jumping into the deep end. 

Ellie and Lincoln had a sleepover at my parents that night since it was Bella's last night.  I think they watched a movie outside on the projector and then it was bed time.  We came over the next afternoon to see Sara and her kids before they headed out.  Then we went home so get some stuff done around there.  I love it when everyone comes into town to visit but it does make it hard to keep up with stuff at home.  So after the kids did their chores and work books, I turned on a movie in hopes that they would all crash.  It has been a busy couple of weeks and everyone was tired.  Lincoln was out before the movie even turned on and slept for around 3 hours.  When Andrew got home later that evening, I headed to the stores to do some grocery shopping for this next and for vacation.  It was long trip with full carts, so I was thankful I didn't have the kids with me.  So now everything in piling up in our office and closet waiting for me to start packing it up. 

On Saturday, Jackson and Lincoln went with Andrew to the ranch while Ellie and the twins stayed with me.  We went over to my parents because Andy and Autumn and their kids were in town to drop off Viva before vacation and celebrate Autumn's dad's 60th birthday.  The kids swam quite a bit that afternoon but then it was time for everyone to get ready for their dinner plans.  We were supposed to go to AJ's with some couples from our small group but my mom suggested that maybe it would be nice of our group to help Joe and Leah out with their move.  They are getting close to finishing their new house which has been a year in the making and it has been pretty stressful for them.  I have been telling my mom that I feel bad that I haven't been able to help them out much because of our schedule and the kids.  I suggested just ordering some pizza and working on the house to Leah and she thought it was a good idea.  But things didn't go as planned for them on Saturday and they were late going to eat with her in-laws.  They were supposed to eat lunch but it turned into dinner.  So we just went to Colton's with another couple in our small group and then we all met at Joe and Leah's house to do a little work.  We had our wonderful sitter, Sarah, come over to watch the kids.  When we got back, Lincoln was cuddled up with her on the couch.  The kids love her. 

On Sunday, Andrew went on another 30 mile bike ride with our neighbor.  I think it was a little easier for him this time even though there was some wind.  I forgot to mention that he went for a 3.5 mile run this week and did some swimming.  The swimming was kind of funny.  It was a last-minute idea  and the only goggles we had that fit him were my pink ones.  So he went swimming in pink goggles and had a Mickey Mouse towel. 

So after his bike ride, it was time to go to church.  Then we had a late lunch at my parents before Andy and Autumn left.  It was starting to get dark a little (and the temperature actually dropped around 15 degrees) before we headed to my parents and then it started raining and didn't really clear up for a while.  So our swimming plans for the day were nixed.  Then it was time to the K-Life fireworks tent to work out 4-9 shift.  That is where we are now as I type this up.  The tent is by Hy-Vee and they actually have free WiFi, so I figured this was a good time to get this done.  Considering the weather and it still being over a week until July 4th, we aren't too busy.  We have had three customers so far.  Lincoln has had a great time checking out all the rockets and various vehicle fireworks.  And we are trying to find ways to pass the time.  Andrew and Jackson are getting us dinner now and I think a game of Uno is up next.