Block Party

July 31:  Ms. Pearl had a HUGE block party each summer.  This year, our church was in charge of the planning and execution of this big event!  It is always such a good day.  On this particular day, my heart was overwhelmed with gratitude that I get to be a part of this amazing ministry and I was refreshed with a new passion to continue letting God use me to minister to these moms and their precious children. 

This little girl gave a testimony to how she sees God at work!

Macey's best friend K'myah from her time at the daycare.

Dancin' in the street

Thrift store--they moved everything out to the street so people could shop.  They were able to fill up a bag for $1!

Six Flags

July 30:  Each year the kids get the chance to earn a Six Flags ticket for reading 6 hours.  Each year Sadie has earned her ticket but we had yet to go.  I promised her last summer that after 2nd we would pick a day to go.  Marc offered to take the day off work so we could go on a weekday.  Each summer we try to do something with our friends--Stephanie & Mikenna (from Streator) so we invited them along also.  The girls were able to use Sadie & Kinnick's tickets from school and a teacher friend of mine gave me her free ticket so Sadie and I were able to go for only the cost of parking!  We got an early start so we could be at the park for opening (10:30).  We packed a lunch and snacks and left the cooler in our car.  We weren't sure how long we would stay just that we would play and ride as long as the girls wanted to.  We had a GREAT day!  We did lots of roller coasters and the girls were able to ride all the spinning carnival rides on their own.  We bought a re-fillable cup to use all day long.  We took a lunch break, walking to our car to eat.  We got dinner in the park and hit the candy store before we left.  We ended up staying until closing (10PM!)  We were exhausted but had such a great day.

Cousin Week

July 26-29:  This year we got to have Jadyn & Jaren come stay for part of a week.  It was so fun having them with us and we packed in lots of fun things.  We brought them home with us.  We had to drive our Pilot instead of the van so we could fit 6 kids.  It was beyond squished with all of our luggage but we made it!  We drove back on Sunday, stopping for lunch at Turtles (one of our favorite, Kids eat for $1 on Sundays!)  We had a little bit of time to hang out and unload before we packed up to head to a pool party/cook out with some friends from church.

Jaren is freakishly good at the claw machine game so within minutes he had a "cool" new toy!

On Monday we had a beach day.  I packed lunches and headed to Indiana Dunes with all 6 kiddos.  We had such a fun day.  We got their right as they opened for swimming and stayed until closing time.  The kids played hard and also had fun climbing the dunes and running down.  That night we ordered pizza and had a movie night.

On Tuesday we started our day with a dentist appointment.  All 4 of my kids had checkups and Jadyn & Jaren were happy to come along for the ride.  After the dentist we headed over to a local park/splash pad to spend our morning.  The kids had fun walking over the foot bridge and wading in the river.  Next up it was McDonald's play place for lunch.  Back home for our afternoon... the girls had a spa day complete with foot baths, face masks, and infused water.  The boys played outside and spent some time playing wii.  We finished off our afternoon with a HUGE water balloon fight that lasted approximately 3 minutes.  That night we cooked out and made s'mores over the fire place.  I set up the tent to let the kids take turns camping out but the girls decided not too and the boys only lasted a few hours before they decided to come in. 

On Wednesday (our last day) we headed to Splash Station--a local waterpark.  We had fun swimming, sliding, and relaxing in the sun.  That evening Marc drove the kids half way to met their mom. 

The kids loved having time with their cousins.  Hoping we can make it an annual tradition!

Hancock County Fair 2015

July 25: Always a highlight of our summer--the Hancock County Fair!  We picked up Kinnick and headed to my parents' house on Friday night after our Michigan trip.  On Saturday morning I was up for a long run.  I had to do 6 miles which is 2x around the perimeter of Bowen plus a bit more!!  While I was running my dad brought a bus over to the house to give the grandkids a ride.  Henry & Carver were especially impressed because they both love buses!  We took the kids to the fair for "Kids Day".  They all competed in the greased pig competition.  Kinnick was determined to win for the 2nd year in a row, which he did.  They also competed in the tractor pull--Macey won for her division.  No one won a bike this year but they each got some cool prizes.  They enjoyed lots of yummy fair food and of course rides & games!

 

He ran right out of his shoes!