We have been LOVING this pool. It really helps that it is heated since our summer has been so very mild.
We've also tried out some new parks and attractions this year including Trammel Fossil Park.
Only three of us ventured to the community's 4th of July parade.
But everyone enjoyed the fireworks!!
As if the Fourth of July isn't exciting enough, Charlie lost his first tooth that night.
I loved this night when I let the kids stay up late catching lightning bugs. It's just such a perfect childhood memory for them to have.
Another new park that I've been wanting to check out is this one.
AHG was sponsoring a hike there so we braved the wind and came with the cousins.
The very next day, we set out on another adventure. This time in Hamilton.
The kids were not too impressed with the sculptures, but they sure did love Charlie Cadabra who made an appearance in the pavilion.
And his rabbit, Harvey.
Other days we just hung out at the pool.
This little one started out the summer refusing to get her face wet. Look at her now!
They love the pool, but are not big fans of adult swim.
Believe it or not, this was their first time ever getting ice cream from the ice cream man. He strategically comes during adult swim at the pool. The kids are so used to not getting ice cream that they didn't even ask. I surprised them on our way out when I asked him to wait while I got money out of my car. They were so excited and grateful. It reinforced the notion that I'm discovering that the less they have, the more grateful they are.
I treated myself to a new lens this summer. An 85mm with a 1.8 aperture. Which basically means I can take dreamy photos outside.
This photo was from the library. We participated in the Summer Reading Program again which brought us here more than usual. Charlie loves to pretend that his arm movements command the automatic doors.
Mark treated me and my friends to Ladies Night at the Reds Game.
He took Charlie to the Reds game another night while I took the girls to this nearby, free music festival.
I got to play with my new lens. :)
Then I put my camera down and danced too.
photograph by Taylor
photograph by Morgan
We also went to Pump it Up one morning for some indoor fun.
And Prasco Park for some more free entertainment. This little gem was another first for us. It's a baseball stadium where college kids play that has free admission, free food, free ice cream, even a table of free toys that the children were allowed to choose one from.
All summer long the kids have taken swim lessons with Miss Jill.
I will forever be grateful for the survival skills she's taught my children.
Morgan reminded me of me this day when she didn't want to get out of the pool instead swimming around in her own little world.
Mark was my assistant when I photographed his aunt and uncles family reunion. This was a huge job, and I completed it with photos I was proud of. Can't ask for more than that! (This is not one of them.)
We even met Ana and Elsa this summer!
And the kids played on their first Slip N Slide.
This year's camping trip with Grandma and the Wells was close to home.
Charlie and Jacob we entertained by their "Extreme Hopscotch".
Aunt Julie and her fiancé, Mark, even joined us one night for some s'mores.
And dancing.
Morgan experienced another first when she got to join her big sister and brother for Vacation Bible School.
Kings Island is definitely not a first...
...but Charlie's new height opened a whole new world of rides to him this year.
Uncle David joined us for his first trip to Kings Island in lever 20 years!
This little one turned 3 and enjoyed 2 weeks of being the same age as her big cousin.
Mark's aunt and uncle celebrated 50 YEARS of marriage!!
We used the opportunity to take a long overdue family photo with Grandmama and Uncle David.
Then a quick one for our school directory :)
Taylor finally bonded with some of her second cousins.
She has also played a lot with her friend that she's known since preschool.
You may remember our time machine that allowed us to travel back in time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Well, Charlie cleverly asked if we'd be able to make a time machine and travel to Christmas. I had mentioned that maybe we'd do it in July. Of course, he didn't forget. The day he lost his tooth (July4th) he said "this is the best month ever!! First I loose my tooth and plus we are going to have Christmas!!" He dropped about 5 more reminders in the month, until I finally surprised them by picking them up from the Wells house in my time machine.
Luckily, I'm not the only one crazy enough to celebrate Christmas in July. Entertrainment Junction helped me out in my endeavor.
Complete with a mid-year check up from Santa.
The kids were so shocked to see him that they didn't know what to say.
Then they came home to find their stockings up, and a pink tree!
I used the opportunity to give Charlie a 'new' bike that he desperately needed.
Oh, and the snorkel he'd been asking for all summer.
Morgan got these cute goggles.
It was a very fun day, but it came with a warning. We will not be celebrating this every year. (Remember what I said about gratitude?)
Finally, we ventured to one more new park this month. A discovery garden.
The kids saw froglets in the pond.
And a frog or two.
And they tested out their new swim gear.
Grace and Taylor have had the opportunity to volunteer here twice this summer. It's a great organization. Here's their website. It's very family friendly and a great way to get kids involved with service.
Phew. To think that was just ONE THIRD of their summer! More to come soon...
