Duet

Labor Day weekend also included some guitar duets with Uncle Logan. 

Hammock Time!

We had a relaxing Labor Day weekend at the lake. We had plenty of time in the hammock, which is always a sign of weekend well-spent.

Eating Our Way Around the World

This weekend we went to an Ethnic Enrichment Festival, an outdoor festival celebrating the many cultures represented in America. They had food from all over the world, dancing and singing, and booths where you could learn about the cultures and buy traditional items from each place. We learned a bit, but mostly, we walked around and ate.

We thought for sure Anna would be anxious to have food from home, but she chose a doner kebob from the Turkey stand. I got an Israel sampler plate with hummus, pita bread, falafel, and a kosher pickle. Eric and the boys had jumbo hot dogs from the Italy stand. Go figure.

It was a fun time, and I actually wish I could go back and have more food! But in all seriousness, it was neat to be reminded how diverse our American culture is. When we're just going about our day-to-day business, we kind of forget about the cultures that make up our heritage, so it was nice to have the festival to remind us to celebrate our differences.

Not the greatest shot, but it gives an idea of what the stands look like.

Ellis as a geisha. 

Sharing a green tea popsicle from Japan.

Ellis drinking a lemonade the size of his face!

Feathered Friend

Ellis found some feathers over the weekend and decided to make himself into a bird. I love his creativity.

A Boy and His Cowboy

4th of July

Backing up just a bit, here are some photos from our 4th of July holiday with family. We spent the afternoon on the lake, then ate dinner and went "in town" at sunset for a fireworks show. Ellis was worn out from swimming all afternoon, so he didn't make it for the fireworks. That's why he's only in one photo, if you're wondering. :)

Summer Fun

In between getting ready for my conference this weekend, we've spent some time outside enjoying the beautiful summer weather. 

I'll leave you this week with some cell phone pics of our outside adventures!

Have a great weekend and we'll see you next week!

The Farm with Friends

Last summer, we visited a local children's farm and met another mama with boys. We all hit it off and have been good friends ever since. When the weather and nap schedules permit, we still meet up at the farm for a fun time! 

Ellis was so excited to see his buddy! 

Ellis and Jimmie are two peas in a pod

Oliver insisted on taking his horsey in...

...and showing him to the goats. Funny boy.

Checking out the chickens

There are five boys when we all get together. Only Oliver is missing from this photo.

Silly big boys.

(and little ones too)

Good Enough

This photo is not technically perfect, or even close. Oliver isn't looking at the camera...the sun is too bright. I'm learning that sometimes "good enough" works. Sometimes, it can even be perfection.

In five or ten or twenty years, I still may cringe at the harsh sun in this photo, but I'll bet not for long. Only until I look at Ellis' kind expression or his chubby little hands on his brother, or Oliver's golden curls. I'll remember how this was a rare moment, a beautiful day. How Oliver called this his "Big 'Huna" shirt. How we bought Ellis' bucket hat at the zoo when we forgot his at home. How Oliver ran off 3 seconds after this to go play in the "dirty house" (playhouse).

Indeed, this is perfection.

Bike Fun

The  boys had so much fun playing with their cousins and uncle on Ma Wink's porch. It makes my heart happy, because I have so many fond memories of playing on her porch with my cousins. Potentially riding some of those same bikes, actually. :)