Summer Fun

Today we went to my friend Sam's house to visit her & the kids. She has 3, Lauryn, Ryan, Ava & one on the way. My kids were happy we were going, especially because we hadn't done much in the last couple days. They have an above ground pool so they spent the afternoon in it. Lauren tried taking Rylan in but he just screamed, the water was a little to chilly for him. And Braedon just flat out refused to go in. He would rather go in a lake or an inground pool that way he can ease himself into the water at his pace. He just played on the swingset all day. The rest of the kids had a good time as well.

Lauryn
AvaSam w/Rylan
Braedon refusing to go in the pool. He doesn't seem to like above ground pool's very much.
LuLu chillin
Lauren relaxing

Lake Compounce

Sunday I took the kids to Lake Compounce Amusement Park in CT. It was a whole family day, my mom, sister, brother & their families went also. Oh & my brother's best friend & his family tagged along too. We had a huge group of us, all together that was 10 kids! The kids had a blast! We went to the waterpark part first. It was definitely more geered towards children. There was a huge pirate ship part with waterslides & the huge bucket that drops all the water on everyone. The wave pool was nice, a little smaller than most waterparks I've been to but nice. They had another kiddie part that had swings for babies, 3 smaller slides for like 2,3 & 4 year olds and a big house that had 3 slides that came out of it, which was more for like the 5-8 yr. old kids. Laci & Braedon were at this part of the park for most of the time. There was this one purple slide, Braedon loved, he must have went on it 20 times!Laci was loving the house with the 3 slides. At one point as my mom & I were standing watching the kids we looked over to our right & realized there was also lake access in this waterpark. I knew the park was on the lake but didn't realize you would be able to go into the lake also. So, we grabbed the kids & headed down to the little beach. The water was bath water it was beautiful. And they had these two waterslides that landed right into the lake which I thought was cool, something different. Lauren, my brother, niece & nephew went up a huge tower where the slide twisted around it. They also had probably about 2 or 3 other slides for the older kids & adults. There was a lazy river but it was a small one. I didn't do anything that day cause the water was way to cold for me! The kids didn't care though.here are a couple pics from the waterpark.






After about two hours in the waterpark we got packed up & dressed & headed out to the amusement park. This part was also nice a good variety of kiddie rides & older rides. We actually didn't even have time to hit all the rides that day. Here are some pics from the park.

A fun but tiring day. We didn't end up getting home that night till 11:30. The boys pretty much fell asleep as soon as we put them in their carseats & Laci followed shortly thereafter. It was a great park though & I would definitely go back! Although next time I think I would like to stay overnight, it's hard having to drive a total of 41/2 to 5 hours in one day!

Corn Fest

I took the kids to Whitney's Farm today for their first annual Corn Fest. We got there about 10:30 this morning & didn't leave till almost 3. My mom, sister & her family, My friend Kimmy & her daughter & my friend Sam & her family also went with us. There was a huge bouncy slide, pony rides, corn shucking contest, corn eating contest for both kids & adults, sack races & corn husk doll making. The kids had a blast! They were also serving 3 different kinds of corn & corn chowder for free all day! I love free stuff! I was in the corn shucking contest & tied for third place with my brother-in-law. Boy that certainly gave my arms a workout! We both won a ten dollar gift certificate to Whitney's store. Lauren, Braedon, Alora & Colby all entered the corn eating contest. Lauren won first prize! She ate 9 ears of corn! I couldn't believe it. Her prize was a ten dollar gift card to Walmart. I was pretty impressed with my little buddy, Braedon, he ate 3 ears of corn. I thought that was pretty darn good for a 3 year old! They all did the sack races & Lauren won again. But she was a very generous girl today & gave it to Colby, cause he was upset he didn't get first. I was really proud of her for that! Poor Braedon though he was crying because he was to little for the sack & couldn't keep up with the rest of them. He was so sad it broke my heart, but hugs from mommy made him better. Here are some pics from the day.

These are the corn husk dolls my girls made.
Braedon with his boy corn husk doll.

Waiting for the race to begin.

Rylan on the swing, which he loves.

I caught this precious moment, Braedon pushing Isabella on the swing.
Laci & Jake, the two monkeys.Gracelyn
Getting ready to eat some corn!
LuLu Bell on the pony.
Brae on the pony, he was so serious as he rode him.

We had a good day with family & friends. We ended our night with dinner at my mom's. Now I need to get ready for another long day tomorrow, we are taking the kids to Lake Compounce Amusement Park in CT. I'm sure I'll have some pics to post tomorrow night.

Future Computer Wiz?

We bought a laptop a couple months ago & I finally got it up & running a few days ago. So, last night my 3 year old was begging to try the laptop. Lauren & I were teaching him & I swear he picked it up in like 10 minutes if not less. It's now his latest obsession! The minute he got up this morning he was asking to use it & go on NickJr. Such concentration!

Thankful Thursday

Yesterday I thought it would be a nice idea to head up to the State Forest for a picnic & a swim. My sister & her family & my mom came too. So we packed up the kids & food & went. The kids were all excited, till we got there & were told that there was alot of leaches & their eggs in the water. I was not about to be picking leaches off my kids so I told them they couldn't go in. They were not happy but didn't want to go in either cause my kids are kind of like me & do not like bugs! We still ate our dinner there & the kids ran around & explored a little. It started to get quite buggy so we decided to head to Dalton park for a while, then after we were done playing we went & got ice cream. Rylan was cute he kept trying to take my ice cream cone away from me.

Today I was exploring other blogs & came across the Sullengers. I actually found this blog through another one who mentioned them. Ashley & Patrick are going through one of the most terrible things a parent can go through....the loss of their baby girl, Preslee. Around July 4th she fell into a canal, she was pulled out & held on for a couple weeks but ultimitely went on to heaven. Of course I was balling as I was reading the blog, I couldn't even imagine the pain the two of them are going through! I hope to god I never will! Another thing that got to me was she passed on the 16th, Rylan's birthday. It just really made me think how life can change so quick! And how thankful I am for my time spent with my kids! I will be praying for them & ask that you do also! Here is the link to their blog http://patrickandashley.blogspot.com/. Check it out & send them your prayers!

This is little Preslee. Click on the link below & it will bring you to their page.

Preslee's Song

Family Time at the Park

Monday after dinner we took the kids to the park at Crosby where my daughter goes to school. Braedon had taken a late nap and I knew if we didn't take him somewhere to have him run off some energy he would be up till 11 or 12. We pretty much had the park to ourselves which is always nice. Lauren even joined in a little, I asked her to help tire Braedon out. Mickey doesn't work Mon. nights so he was with us as well. Lauren & Laci were making him follow them like an obstacle course, it was too funny & I got some silly pics of my hubby. We had a really good time with lots of laughs. Here are some of the pics from our night.

Lauren making crazy faces on purpose cause I was taking pictures.



Yup, that's me.


Braedon making daddy go down the slide. He could hardly fit it was funny!

My little model.

Loving the swing.

Yesterday I took the kids to the free movies again. Third week in a row. They like going, good thing it's free! After dinner & Lauren was done with dance we took them for ice cream & again took them to the park. This time we went to Egremont school. I swear I could take these kids to the park everyday & they wouldn't care. Well except Lauren, she's getting to "old" now. And the baby is too cute when we go, he just watches them with such intensity. Kicking his feet & laughing. Can't wait till he's walking & can join in the fun!