Independence Day

We love celebrating Independence Day!

I tried, and tried, and tried to get a good picture, but with Cora crying, these are the best I got.

It's the thought that counts?

We had a mostly low key day, but that evening, we met up with the Seegmillers at Lubbock's big concert/fireworks show!  It's held at a HUGE park, so it took us awhile to find them.  Plus, Andrew had to drop the girls and me off and head to church for meetings.  Then he was going to meet up with us later.  

I managed to herd all four girls through the crowds and we finally found our friends!  We had a good time hanging out, listening to the different bands while we waited for darkness and fireworks!

Face painting by Sister Seegmiller!  Only Eve was brave enough from our family to try it.  First time having her face painted!  (The youngest girls never have.)

The kids ran around, ate snacks, and we just visited.

Suddenly, they interrupted the music to announce they were shutting everything down and we all needed to leave ASAP.  A huge storm was rapidly approaching!  I gathered up the girls and tried to call Andrew - but there was no reception!  Too many people trying to get home at the same time.  I was calling and texting and in about 50 tries between us, managed to connect just long enough for me to tell him to meet us as soon as he could.  The place was nuts!  We couldn't connect back up so the girls and I just kept walking, hoping he would come to pick us up near the same place he'd dropped us off.  Just before the storm hit, we found him, threw the girls in the car, and headed home!  It was a huge downpour within minutes of getting in the car.  Quite an adventure, but we're still sad we missed the fireworks!  Maybe next year?

Just June

And this sums up what we did for the rest of the month, not already posted about:

Abigail got Dino sand for her birthday!  (Kinetic sand)  She waited very patiently until we were home from our trip to use it!  And she shared....

Cora loves scrambled eggs and fruit pouches!

And riding on the little roller coaster at the Science Spectrum!

Eve and her friend Naomi showing Abigail how it's done.

As a belated birthday present (and also, to be used by everyone) we invested in a balance bike!  The girls all love riding it!

We made slime for the first time!  A super big hit!

So fluffy and squishy! 

We shared with babysitting group.  Unfortunately, some of the kids thought it'd be fun to rub it on their clothes.....

We attended a gender reveal party for our friends the Seegmillers!  

Their Baby #4's a boy!

Halle and Abigail started their summer soccer class.  Eve's in one too, but for older kids.

Cora got her first lollipop and fell in love!  Now when we're in line at the bank, she freaks out as soon as she sees that bowl of them!

She also decided it was time to start climbing the bunk bed ladder.  No!  Back it goes on the top bunk during the day, just like we did with Abigail.

The girls started, and finished, the library reading program.  I usually made them drag it out all summer, but then I learned that the earlier you pick up your prizes, the more you get.  So we finished more quickly this time around!    And the girls got to hang their names on the library window:

We love corn on the cob from the farmer's market!

Some of us so much that we can't wait until it's cooked to eat it.

Under close supervision, Cora got a chance to play with slime!

There are no words.  

Halle and Abigail rocking it at their soccer class!  They went every Tuesday evening at 6, and Eve's class followed at 7.  I usually took the younger girls home and Andrew would stay with Eve for her class.  

We were in the full swing of summer by this point!

Andrew's Birthday

We celebrated Andrew's birthday this year with lemon meringue pie!  

(Think he'll notice it Eve eats it all first?)

Happy birthday to the best guy around and my best friend!

(He even let me beat him at his new game.)

Critter Fest 2017

We did Critter Fest at the Science Spectrum again this summer and, like last year, we let each girl (except Cora who's still too small) pick one ride.  Halle went for the elephant again this year!  

So when I said last year that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.....I meant twice.....

They also had camel rides this year, but none of the girls picked it.  

Abigail and Eve went with ponies!  I was walking with Abigail so didn't get the best shot.

After that, we headed inside (after waiting in line for 25 minutes!) for the bear show!

We treated the girls to cotton candy while we waited.  Cora particularly loved it :)

The bear show was interesting, but not as good as last year's lions and tigers.  

But the girls did love it when the bears slid down a slide!  (Not pictured)

The closest I'd ever want to be to a bear!

Holding chicks and ducks is our favorite part!

Abigail did so great!  She was very careful and gentle.  

We also saw some reptiles:

Before heading back for another round of baby animal holding - we couldn't help it!  They're SO cute!

Sorry for the chick and duck picture overload - I couldn't decide which to use!

Even Mommy held one!

We use events like this to get our animal fixes so we don't have to worry about getting pets :)