July Recap

 Oh, sweet summer. I am always behind on writing so as I am creating this post it is actually fall. School is back in session. But, as I review this month I am reminded of how beautiful summer is. Long live summer. Long days. Kids all with me. Lighter schedules. Flowers blooming. Seeing sunrises and sunsets and thanking God for such a sweet life. 

Despite what my kids may end up remembering about their childhood, I wouldn't trade this life for anything and would do it all again in a heartbeat. These days are challenging and also so very rewarding. I know these are some of the best days of my life. Even in the mundane. Perhaps, especially in the mundane. So let's kick this off with on of my favorite pictures of the month. Two of my children are watching the sunset together: 

And, I seem to always have a session of just Avery. This post will no go without that. She is at a stage where she wants her pictures taken constantly. Here she is on the 4th of July with her face painted:

Running through our field:

Just being her silly self:

Posing for a picture:

I braided her hair like Elsa and Ana from Frozen for the first time ever and she loved it so much! She stared at herself in the mirror all day and insisted she slept in her hair like that at bedtime, while wearing her Ana dress. 3 is such a fun, fun age. I just love it.

She wanted a picture with her statue she found:

I planted flowers and love to stare at them. I also take random pictures of them:

A flower given to me by my oldest son:

The kids made a snacks:

One morning, I had 2 kids up to enjoy the sunrise. We drank chocolate milk and ate breakfast while we observed the start to another gorgeous morning. Check out those clouds:

We had a gloriously beautiful 4th of July together:

Got our faces painted and attended a local celebration:

Sparklers at night. 

A local parade to celebrate. Three of our children were in the parade:

The town also has tons of activities, like the ball drop for kids above, and Bingo (below):

We won almost $20 this day! Our house loves bingo.

The night was finished out with my family seated along our side road watching the sun set and then watching the city's fireworks. We live in the perfect spot outside of town to see it all! We can also see the span of the whole town. It is a true secret gem for us. 

Our family went to the park one random gorgeous day:

I am not sure what we were doing but I got them to take a picture together:

These two playing school together:

They also watched a show together. I love to see them cuddle up:

The only two who wanted to go to the public pool this year:

I probably put this in his post but it was Riley's birthday. And he made his own birthday cake at his own insistence: 

Payton made the cupcakes:

We had our cousins come to town and had a great time with them for a few days. We took them to paint ceramics at a local shop:

We also all went fishing with the cousins and this little bitty fish with Payton is all I have to show for it:

Our dentist gave out free snow cones! Our favorite thing to do:

Jayden made it into a local printed book we received!

Jayden made cupcakes to resemble cells. Very neat (and tasty) science project:

We went camping for a few days and had a blast. Most of my pictures are of Avery, who posed at the same tree constantly and asked for a picture. 

Riley loves ants. These two spent many evenings this month looking for a queen ant in nuptial flight.

Another sunset:

Riley got sunflower seeds and planted them. He took very good care of them every day and was very rewarded:

Avery even made a vase with them:

And, just like that, it was fair time. The ending to July and also one of our favorite times!

Avery won at bingo (actually we all did but this was one of the only pictures):

Riley and Payton won best youth flowers (and first place ribbons) with Riley's sunflowers. I told you he did a great job caring for them:

The kids met with navy recruiters and got to see some cool stuff with them:

Riley got ice cream and proceeded to get it all over his face. 

Avery got to pet a goat:

We rode all the rides:

Some of our friends went with us. Always a joy.

Avery and Dad made some faces for the camera.

A random selfie I found of this girl:

And I'll wrap this up with one last picture of 2 of my kids at the park!