Grandpa Brad's visit

We split up our time between my side of the family and Cavan's family. We went to the Astor column. The kids surprised me climbing all the way to the top. I stayed on the bottom and enjoyed the beautiful view from there. The stairs scared them a little, but they did it anyways, We visited with my uncle jay and Aunt Faedra, and my grandparents. It was so nice to see everyone. At my uncles, Daniel was very hesitant to ride the four wheeler, but he did it and he was so happy he did! I am so proud of him for trying new things that seem scary. We went to Fort Stevens to see Battery Russel, and then went to the Jedi. The kids had a blast climbing on all the big rocks. It was so beautiful there.We visited my sister Abby and she showed us her horse and even let the kids ride her. Linden had no fear of the horse at all.  

It's off to Oregon!!

 We got to go to Oregon this year! We looked forward to this all summer, so anxious to go! We flew a direct flight, but it was during Linden's nap and he was very difficult. He does not sleep unless he is in a bed. But it was better then driving! The flight home was much better!

Car crash

On July 28th I was heading home from church with the kids when another van did not stop at the stop sign and hit our van. We have had this van for about 9 years. It was very reliable and we owned it. I got very used to not having a car payment! After the impact I started having contractions and couldn't help but let my emotions and panic take over me. At that time I was only 28 weeks pregnant. To soon to go into labor. Our friend from church happened to be heading the same way home and was behind us when we were hit. The kids were fine, so she took them for me. The ambulance took me right way since I was pregnant. I was monitored for 5 hours while I was having contractions. When it was clear I wasn't going into labor I was sent home. None of us have been seriously injured. We now have a new vehicle, a Honda Odyssey that the kids love because it has buttons that open the door! 

4th of July and Blackberries

One of the first activities we did when school got out was pick blackberries at at U-pick farm. We almost missed the season. We picked almost the last of them.

 

Then this year for 4th of July we went to the Lake Helen parade as usual. It was such a humid day! But for the firework show we went to Pierson, because our friend David sold his house on the Lake so we couldn't watch the Lake Helen show. Pierson had a lot of fun blow up toys and a rock wall for the kids and it was all free! They had a good firework show too!

Summer at Rainbow Springs

We went to Rainbow Springs this summer with the Loughmillers and it was awesome!!! We floated down the lazy river on tubes for about 2 hours. It was a nice overcast day and the water felt so refreshing! We left Linden with my mom because children under 5 can't float down the lazy river. The kids kept leaving their tubes with us and just played with their friends as they floated with the current. Then we went to the park area to swim in the spring, but it wasn't that great. There is no shallow end and they don't allow floats, only noodles. We didn't know this so we had nothing to float on and it was exhausting trying to tread the water. The swimming area was also roped off so you couldn't go around and explore. The kids still had fun swimming though.  

Catching up the rest of spring

I have been so behind on our family blog. The new school year has already started and we are about to have another baby so I am trying to catch up on the rest of spring, and then our summer we had.

KaeLynn's 4th grade class went to St Augustine for a field trip and I got to chaperone. It was a beautiful day. We got to tour the Fort, The Old Jail, The History Museum, and we took the tour of the city on the trolley. The trolley was my favorite because we got to stay seated and the breeze was really nice! St Augustine has so much history! We love to come visit.

Daniel tried soccer for the first time. His team were the Piranhas. It was actually very fun to watch him play, and we all got into way more than we thought. He was catching on to the sport well enough for never playing at all. He had a good season.

KaeLynn doing what she does best, reading and snuggling MaeLing.

Linden got his first hair cut! I totally regretted it after we did and cried a couple of times. He did amazing though. Sat there like a little angel and let my friend Hillary cut his hair with out fussing at all. He looks like such a little stud now.

KaeLynn and her first school project in 4th grade. She did it on Thomas Eddsion.