Well, as the summer winds down and we start thinking about getting back on a school schedule, we had to pack in some more fun here in the beginning of August. Mr. Fatman is starting to be more upright. He's just now getting into the exersaucer and this past week figured out how to roll from back to belly. Look out world!
Daddy took his turn at convincing Sam he needed a haircut. We rationalized, we bargained, we negotiated, we bribed, we sympathized, we threatened, and all the meanwhile Noah had my phone and made good use of the "Pictures with Dinosaurs" app. You can see how Sam guards those long locks.
Here's the final product! I think Mike did a fantastic job, despite the wiggling and the tears.
Photography of any form cannot truly capture the fat roll quantity this child possesses, but here's a decent shot of the roll action on his side.
Swim lessons went so well for both of the big guys. Noah capped off the last day with a performance of high diving. He was the only one of the 6 kids that was willing to give it a try the first time. The pool is 12 feet deep, but he was ready to splash right in!
On Tuesday last week, we headed back up to the lake for some cousin time. This time it was Hewes side cousins who drove in from Colorado. Ashlyn did such a great job with Isaac!
Noah and Sam had some hero worship going on with Caden, the eldest. He's 9 and just about the sweetest boy ever. As we headed out to breakfast one morning they little guys did their best to look just like him!
The crew outside The Farmhouse Bakery. From left: Jack, Ashlyn, Sam, Noah, Caden, and Isaac.
One of the highlights of our time with them was a trip to Rocket Science Ice Cream. We drove about an hour to this Amish town of Napanee, IN. There are horse buggies and gentlemen with long beards as you might expect in an Amish town. But the local ice cream shop uses liquid nitrogen to make ice cream. It was quite the juxtaposition to see the girl in the Amish bonnet using such a high tech method for ice cream making!
The kids were fascinated. And, per usual, Sam declared it was, "too loud!"
The end result was still tasty!
Here's the tank they use to store the nitrogen.
Jack was pretty sweet with Isaac too!
We had a couple Skype sessions with Uncle Josh who had to miss out on the weekday fun due to work. It was mayhem when all the kids gathered around to talk to him at once.
Sam's love affair with crocodiles continues...
All boys love early morning cartoons (and bacon!)
The kids got along really well, it was fun to see cousins play that had never been together before!
Ash loved helping out with Isaac. She combed his hair and even helped give him a bath!
Sam took out his inflatable Batmobile for a spin. It was a HUGE hit, he was in it for literally 2 hours straight. It was perfect for him :)
He even convinced Ash to push him all around, together they were defeating all kind of villains and keeping Diamond Lake safe from any trouble!
Bamma got in some quality snuggle time with everyone before bed one night.
We gathered the kids for one group shot on the stairs before bidding our farewells. It was tough to say goodbye after such a fun week with them!
Fortunately, we didn't have much downtime to be sad. A little arts and crafts while we got the house ready for another group at the house.
Then my friends, the Schwantz Family and the Worst Family descended upon the house for a weekend of 8 children under the age of 6 fun! Leo got right to it!
The 3 year old crowd lined up for a trip to get some bait!
There was wild success fishing off of Big Uncle Dave's dock. I think everyone experience luck!
On Saturday afternoon we headed to the Sandbar with all the kids (minus Isaac). It was a bit chilly with the wind, but we still had a great time!
Cutest Bat Baby EVER!
Evie held out, blue lips, shivering and all declaring she was still good!
That night there was some adult fun. Isaac decided to join the party. Daddy Photobomb!
Josh somehow decided a shot of cold coffee was a grand idea. Kjersten was so "helpful."
Sunday morning turtle watching expedition turned into a swan watching expedition.
And a group shot with all the kiddos. It's crazy to think how large our crew has gotten in the last couple years!
My parents were troopers and hung out with all the kids. I'm thinking they enjoyed a little "girl" time. Hattie enjoyed inspecting Bampa's beard.
Getting back home was a bit of a letdown after all that fun with so many friends. To battle the depression and weekend hangover, Noah decided that 11 tattoos would soothe his aching heart.
And some cement chiseling also helps pass the time.
Isaac is trying desperately hard to crawl. He's still young and has nowhere near the strength to lift that big ole belly off the floor. But the squirmy, flailing limbs sure are fun to watch. I love this look back at me, as though he's about to take off!
Sam has always had a bit of trouble maneuvering around playgrounds independently. Noah convinced him that he should try to roller slide in Burr Ridge by my parents house. It was so sweet as he talked Sam through it and held his hand. Within a few minutes, Noah had him going down the slide like he'd been doing so for years!
A trip to the dentist garnered free doctor masks. The boys have been very creative with them all day. My favorite was Noah strapping his on Isaac like a little hat. I think he looks like Tweedle Dee!
This is some kind of cup on the head catch game going on. Goofballs.
So onward we go as our quest to enjoy the HECK outta summer 2013 continues...!
