Our July

 July has come and gone. 

We went to the fair, went on a family vacation, and celebrated Riley turning 10! And, of course, life is just full with all the ins and outs of regular life. Which is really where it's at, right?

Riley, my sweet Riley. He had a birthday! Oh, I love him so. He is growing so fast. Summer was really made for his birthday month because he is a true summer kid. He loves all things outdoors like fishing and he has yet to find a sport he doesn't like. He loves legos and creating and building things. He is a true joy to our family: 

                                                                                         

                                                  

We were on vacation for his birthday (what a present)! We got to celebrate with my family in my hometown and that was a real treat. We fished and had cake:

                                         

                                          

                                                        

                                                        

We had fair week. The kids entered a ton of items but I got this one photo of Riley with his vase he put together to enter:
                                                 

Painted faces:

And balloon animals (Avery refused to be in with her dog):

Carnival rides and put put golf:

We went one night to the carnival. We met up with some of the best of friends to spend the evening with:

We stayed later than we normally would stay and got to watch the evening fireworks show! It was so cool. The kids watched from the ferris wheel and said it was a memory they will have forever.

One night, Payton and I went to meet friends for a concert. It poured on us. And poured. Then, the electricity went out and the band had to call it. We finally took off running for our vehicle. Another night I will always remember:

Back at home, Avery loves on her chickens:

We got out for lots of fishing this month:

And just playing around outside, complete with camping and fishing in the cornfields:

One night we had a movie night and this was the first time Avery really sat for it. We watched Frozen II and it was a total hit:

We went to a swimming pool party!

We made it to the Children's museum to play:

The oldest two had book club so the younger ones read (and played) in the library while we waited:

We went on vacation to Rapid, South Dakota. We also stopped at Wall Drug, my family's house growing up, and went to my husband's family reunion for a day. It was a lot but so much fun for all of us!

Avery spent quite a bit of time riding like this while we chauffeured her around:

We got to spend time with one of my friends from growing up. We hadn't seen each other in 7 years!

A few pictures with my family:

We celebrated the 4th of July together. It is one of our family's favorite days. We hang out together all day and stay up late to watch the city fireworks.

Payton made a special treat:

We made it to the pool a few times this year. A few different pools actually and got to see some friends!

We got ice treats from both of the vendors we have in town. The kids tried frozen pickle juice and loved while I am still a fan of wedding cake flavored snow cone:

I wanted to get Avery to story time this summer. We made it once. Just once. But sometimes that is just how it goes. 

We made it to the park a few times:

Monte and Avery laid out one day in the heat to look at the clouds (or rest, who knows):

We moved Monte's parents into their house. And one time, the ice cream truck went by and we all got a quick treat!

A fun sunflower that I grew:

And a beautiful flowering cactus:

The kids made these cute towels with the local library:

That is a wrap on July! On to August and the start of school.