Brooklynn's News

Brooklynn "can tie her shoes and count by twos"(sorry, I just had to quote the 'Franklin' books I have read soooooo many times). Yesterday she began the multiplication section in her math workbook. So is very excited! She was doing math before bed and first thing this morning. Such enthusiasm!

She also has her first loose tooth. Yeap. She's pretty much on top of the world.

Baby Crazy

Three of my friends have had babies this past week. Congratulations to you all!! This past week Malia has 'discovered' babies. She loves carrying them around, putting her food in their mouths and giving them kisses. Brooklynn has done a great job training her in the art of playing!

Keeping Busy

One thing I have enjoyed about living here in the midwest is the library and its summer programs. We've been to bubble shows, listened to bee keepers, been to concerts, magic shows, and field trips all scheduled through the library. This week we went to the local newspaper for story time and a tour.


The librarian read a true story about a deaf man who worked at a printing press and saved his co-workers when a fire broke out.

Malia's attempts at being quiet during story time.

Next we toured the facility. Three 5-story presses print the daily paper.
Jeffrey (not wanting his picture taken) in front of the machine that assembles the Sunday ads.
Brooklynn checking out some of the old equipment.

Afterwards, we went to the park across the street. There are bronze statues depicting the pioneers moving west. Brooklynn had a great time using them as props for pictures.

The Final Horrah!

Saturday we went to the Air and Space Museum. Brooklynn and Jeffrey had fun behind the controls.

We also went on a flight simulator. Jeffrey and I went first. He chose the stunt airplane simulation- four minutes of upside down whirly-twirly. I was ready for some air when it was over! Brooklynn and I went next, a mellow helicopter ride with pictures of mountain tops and rivers. Very nice.

Next we were off to a safari. Here is some wildlife we saw:

Friday

I woke up really early and made some cinnamon rolls for breakfast. (Thanks to Cousin Rachel for teaching me how all those years ago!) Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Later in the day we went to a swimming park with a pool and a few waterslides. Notice the water theme we're recreating here. Grandma's cousin camp always has lots of water activities!


Next we were off to enjoy nature.
We crossed the river by walking (the kids rode their scooters) over this suspension bridge. We crossed the stateline in the middle.
We ended the evening with a boat ride around the lake. There is a large fountain in the middle with a light show. Since fireworks are illegal here, and Grandma's cousin camp is never without, I thought this was a nice substitute.

The Water Resort

We took the kids to the water resort on Thursday night. What fun!! We'll definitely be going back.

Malia loved playing in the wading pool and going down the slide with Brooklynn.

Floating down the lazy river

Fear Factor audition tapes

Leaving the "Baracuda"

La Polooza

This post is dedicated to all who have attempted to eat a La Polooza at the Ice Cream Company in Modesto, CA. Here's our homemade version:

Collect your ingredientsCreate a gigantic sundae!

Eat until you can eat no more! Hopefully you're not sick!

Happy Birthday!

Happy 6th Birthday Brooklynn our sweetheart girl!!

(I have to confess, I have such a great time shopping for her and buying gifts I know she will love! I think I enjoy it as much as she enjoys unwrapping. She gets so excited and her face always lights up! )

Cousin Camp

Picture used without permission. Hope you don't mind Em.

Since we aren't here, playing with cousins, enjoying the scenery, and taking in the smells of the farm, we've decided to have our own 'cousin camp' at home. This morning we started off with a bang...well, the kids thought so- unlimited hours playing the Wii in their pajamas without being nagged to get dressed or get their school work done. And, donuts for breakfast.

"I've been waiting for months to do this!" Jeffrey

Climbing High

Blowing Bubbles

Our Handmade Bubble Competition

Covering his hands

Let the competition begin

Today's judge
Getting started




A little bigger

And the winner is......Jeffrey!

The secret formula: 5 cups water, 1/2 cup dishsoap, 1/4 cup cornsyrup.

Nature Walk

Raiding the "Dress-up Box"

4th of July Fireworks and a Blackberry

The fireworks display the city puts on is fantastic!!! So we heard. We got advice on where to go watch to get the best view with minimal traffic afterwards. 7:30 p.m. we loaded up the car and drove to find 'the best spot', a park by the river. Nope, we couldn't find the park. So, at 8:30 we went to the actual location where the fireworks were to be let off. No one was there. That's odd.

Mark got out his blackberry and checked out the information (which we should have done beforehand). Oh, the display that is all the rage was on the 3rd of July. Ooops. The kids were really disappointed. Trying to appease them, Mark found information about a small town not too far away that had a show starting at 9:30. We found a great spot- a factory parking lot on the hill above the park where they were let off. They even had their display 'synchronized' to a local country music station. Welcome to the midwest!!

Tailgating with the family fun mobile

The Girls 4th of July

Watching basketball- Dad vs. Jeffrey