Pizza Time!

After the zoo, we got pizza from Dewey's and then went back to Katie's to eat it. The pizza was yummy, as always, and the girls had fun playing with all of Aunt Katie's things.

Aunt Katie and Ellie

Sisters

Emmaline thought it was funny to hide in Aunt Katie's closet

Peek-a-boo!

Cincinnati Zoo

Since the boys were at camp, I took the girls to the zoo with my sister, Katie. It was hot, but we had a good time looking at the animals, taking train rides, and riding the carousel.

Stylin' in Aunt Katies shades

Ellie riding on Okapi

Mommy and Ellie on the train

Emmaline and Aunt Katie
If you tell Emmy to smile, this is the look you get!

Surprise at Bob Evan's

To celebrate the end of swim lessons and enjoy a last family meal together before Nathan and Jacob head to church camp, we went to Bob Evan's for breakfast after Jacob's last class. The kids were excited to see that Heater from the Dayton Dragon's was there, as well as a couple of the players.

Emmaline was very intrigued by Heater
and would reach out and touch him every time he walked by.

Ellie drew a picture of Heater

So did Jacob

Jacob got an autographed poster from these two players
(can't remember their names, but they were both Hispanic-sounding)

The End of Swim Classes

Today was the last day of swim class for Jacob. Ellie's last lesson was last night (and it poured at the end of her lesson, but she got to stay in the pool since there was no lightning). They learned a lot this month and are already asking when they can take lessons again. We're thinking maybe this winter when they can't be outside as much.Swimming to the deep end

Playing at the water park

Ellie and Mr. Scott

This is fun!

The Splash Park (again!)

We met some friend from our home group at the splash park in Centerville today. The weather was great and it wasn't crowded at all.

Ellie
(the angle of this pic. makes her legs look SOOO long!)

Natalie is all smiles in the swing

Jacob and his friend
As frustrated as I get with him sometimes, Jacob makes me so proud of his sensitive heart towards kids that have special needs. This boy walked with crutches. He and Jake played in the water and on the playground. Here they are rolling down the hill by the park. They would roll to the bottom, then Jacob would run back to the top, get the boy's crutches, and bring them to him. Then, they would both climb back to the top and do it again. So caring!

Brenna, Ellie, and Kaiya

Emmaline, my little bathing beauty

Happy Birthday, Ginger!

We celebrated Nathan's Mom's birthday today at Young's Dairy. It rained like crazy earlier in the day, so the barrels and other outdoor things were not open, but we had a fun time anyway. Dinner was yummy and the ice cream was even better. Young's is branching out and even has it's own line of cheese now, but we didn't try any today...maybe next time.

Jacob loves cotton candy ice cream

Ellie does too!

Emmy tasted everyone's ice cream,
but she was mostly content to play with Daddy's phone.

Being cheesy!

Muscle Man

#4

Seriously?!
This kid is going make us broke with all the teeth he is losing!

Another Tooth, Another Dollar

#3

Goodbye, Davidson Family!

We held a going-away party tonight at home group. The Davidson family has been with us for 1 1/2 years and they are moving to Virginia at the end of the month. Brian and Kerrie have added a lot to our discussions every Wednesday that will be missed and we'll miss their kiddos, Andrew, Evie, Wesley, and Joshua as well.

Emmaline playing on the slide

Ellie enjoying her dinner

Jacob and his buddy, Sam

Activity Center Park

Emily and I met when we were babies; Kelsey and I met through the world of blogging; and we met with all of our kids at the splash park in Centerville today. The kids loved playing together and we finished the day off with lunch at Marion's Piazza.

Jacob being pushed by Katy (Emily's daughter)

Emily and David (her son), with her dad and stepmom

Emmaline being pushed by Mimi

Ellie looking cute

Jacob chatting with the boys, David and Michael

Swim Lessons

Jacob and Ellie started swim lessons this week. I forgot to register early, so instead of getting their classes on the same days, Ellie swims Mondays and Wednesdays, and Jacob swims Tuesdays and Thursday. Guess we will be making lots of trips to the rec. center this month.

Jacob is ready for his first class

Swimming with his teacher, Miss Amanda

Ellie is excited to go swim

Ellie and Daddy had fun

Going for a walk

EnterTRAINment Junction

We went with Nathan's family to EnterTRAINment Junction today. The adults had fun looking at all the train models and the kids really enjoyed the play area. Afterwards, we went to Smokey Bones for lunch. I think it is one of my new favorite places to eat!

Playing a train game with Daddy

Ellie liked riding the train

I think Emmaline liked it too!

Shoveling coal

Dinosaur Exhibit in Cincy

To continue the celebration, we went with Nathan's family to the Dinosaur exhibit in Cincinnati. It was really neat, lots of fossils and models. The kids are really enjoying all of this extra time they get to spend with their grandparents and great-grandparents. I have to admit that we are enjoying it too!

Ellie and Papaw work on the scavenger hunt

Jacob like this Velociraptor

The kids by a mommy and baby Stegosaurus

Family Photo