Pop Starz

Brooklyn attended a week-long Pop Starz dance camp where they learned dances to Hot and Cold, Tell Me Something I Don't Know, and the Hoedown Throwdown. It was a hoot! As usual, Brooklyn's favorite day was Friday when they got to dress like pop stars and perform for the audience.

Reunited

Andy's mom's family hosts a reunion every year. It rotates houses from Indiana to Texas, Ohio to Phoenix, with an occasional Wisconsin thrown in. We rarely make it to one outside of the midwest. This year, the reunion was held at Andy's parents' house. It was wonderful to catch up with family we hadn't seen in a few years and meet some new faces.

Marysville's Best Kept Secret

During the month of July, we joined the Bautsch family on some of their park adventures. When Julie invited us to meet her at the Allen Township park, I wasn't sure I remembered the park even existed! We ventured a few miles out of town to join her at the best park I've been to in quite a while! The park had a beautiful covered bridge, swings, climbers, sandboxes, a walking path, tunnels, and multilevel slides. It was awesome! After lunch and some playtime, we headed next door to visit the fire station. The firemen were above and beyond helpful and friendly. They took the kids on tours through the trucks, let them sit in the driver's seat, and showed them all the equipment. The kids were in heaven! Little did we know, we'd be bidding on a house just down the street in a few weeks. Amazing!

A Month of Fundays

Between two vacations and two weeks of Honda shutdown, we've had our share of good times this summer. While Andy was home and not working on our yet-to-be-finished bathroom we ventured out to the zoo and the Powell splash pad. We saw the baby elephant, visited the lions, and were transfixed by the manatees. I love watching Isaac discover each of the animals just as much as the other two kids. It never gets old! The splash pad was fun, but chilly. We spent most of our time at the playground. I have realized that my greatest happiness is when my family and I can enjoy all of God's and man's creations together.

Dublin Spray Park

My mom and I took the kids to the spray park this summer. It was Isaac's first experience with the Bunny Hill. He slept through half of it! The kids ran through the fountains like maniacs. Brooklyn was concerned because she was stung by a bee there when she was 3. I really think she is part elephant. She doesn't forget anything! Xavier thought it was hysterical to hang his bum over a low fountain and wait to get sprayed. Boys...I don't think I'll ever understand.

July 4th

We started the day with the fabulous Marysville parade. Brooklyn walked the parade route with her dance team while Xavier and Isaac gathered candy. By the time evening rolled around, it was raining and yucky. We had to improvise on our usual s'more and fireworks tradition. We made patriotic sundaes before we left for the fireworks, changed the kids into their PJ's, grabbed our umbrellas and headed off to the fireworks. Isaac was asleep before we arrived and Xavier fell asleep under his umbrella during the show. It was a great day!

Norris Lake

Each year, we travel to Norris Lake in Tennessee for a week of boating, fishing, swimming, and relaxing. It's always a wonderful getaway! This year, our vacation in TN fell just one week after returning from Myrtle Beach. I barely had the laundry done when I had to repack it for our next adventure. Thankfully, it is only a six hour drive compared to the 12 hour trek we'd just completed. We loaded up van and SeaDoo and headed south again. Norris Lake is always a true vacation. The kids are constantly occupied by their Oma and Opa, and the owners of the lake house, Kevin and Betty. I read three "adult" books while I was there! We spend our days putting around the lake, skiing, tubing, swimming and fishing off the dock, playing games, and sleeping. Paradise!




The weather was a little cool this year and it rained more often, but we made the best of it. Xavier did really well with his broken collarbone until he fell off a barstool midweek and reinjured it. Poor kid! Isaac was definitely Daddy's boy while in TN. He wanted to be with him every waking moment. He wasn't a big fan of his life jacket, but the boat almost always relaxed him to sleep. Brooklyn was happiest when she was fishing off the dock. She'd wake up each morning and beg someone to take her down to the lake. We are already looking forward to next year!