July 11-13

Looking back at July it seems like we didn’t do anything but fun in the sun! Well we DID take advantage of the lovely weather and a freezer full of freezies and got our time in the sun.

We are doing well with reading, worksheets mailed by Gammie and of course the new season of Wild Kratts. (HERE)

Dodo and Tasmanian Tiger

Saturday we headed back to the Schwartz’s for a nice visit So there are MORE pictures of the ever adorable Jeffrey…

Renee was out with her mom and sister but the kids, Ken and I came over to help Chris and his folks build a shed. I mean, KEN helped with the shed, I helped Grandma (Anne) with the babies and the kids played and hung out.

Best little buddies!

Watching a movie together

Mystro is absolutely one of my favourite subjects to photograph.

Chris treated us all to Chinese as a thank you. It was so much fun to just sit, sew and read with Anne and Jeffrey. Talk about a relaxing Saturday (not so much for Ken and Chris and Gary!).

Ken and Mystro

On Sunday we decided to go back to the Blaine beach and enjoy the wonderful sand, water and splash pad. I have to say, with such a nice location a short drive away we are really not motivated to go further and find a less manicured or bigger beach.

I love the confidence all 5 kids have at this beach.

After the beach it was back to cheering on one of our favourite soccer players. Anthony was playing his final game of his regular year.

Even big Andy made it out! Which was GREAT. Ken does love spending time with him, but he is so often on the road driving truck this summer it has been a trick to plan out.

The kids wandered off and played together so that worked well.

And Anthony and his team played a great game! I do believe they were undefeated in regular season. Our plan is to go to a couple of his USA Cup games as well. I know they play a couple foreign teams along with some more local (or at the very least American).

It is these great opportunities to spend time with our friends and family (I mean, come on Novaks are basically cousins at this point!) that has slowed our hunt for the elusive homeschooling family to meet and hang out with.

July 10

So we DID do some schoolwork. But the real focus was on our evening schedule.

We were set to support another of our budding soccer stars, and this one is NOT a Novak! Rather we joined Renee, Jeffrey and Evan to cheer on Nathan who was being coached by his dad Chris.

#6

The kids were restless but I managed to get some lovely action shots of Nathan on the field…

Pictures of Chris coaching…

And we snuck in a few adorable baby shots as well!

And our baby as well

After the game there was medals given out!

And then pizza back at the Schwartz’s.

The boys enjoyed some time in the mini forest behind the Schwartz house.

This was also our formal introduction to the newest member of their family – Mystro! He is a baby Maine Coon and beyond adorable!

I am so glad we could get out to support Nathan! Please enjoy the overflow pictures of the action!!!

July 27-28

When you have 2 extra kids and all are restless what is there to do??? Well… take them to a beach! And here in Minnesota there is no shortage of those. Trinity was feeling under the weather the night before and the day of but well enough to join in on the fun. The park we went to was called Centerville Beach. This is a park that we actually went to back on our last visit. Though not nearly as warm a day so we went on the paths and walked with Cory. 

It was actually a lovely day for the beach. The water was (I am told) warmer than it usually is due to our rather warm and consistent weather. Yours truly took the job of photographer while Baba and Ken spent the bulk of their time in the water. Echo was less than enthused by the park AND the beach… it was full of her nemesis… SAND! So at first she kept herself strictly to the grass filled areas. 

In her element

So we had 6 kids in the water and one running amok on dry land. All in all great fun. The sun was not too harsh AND I even saw some herons! 

Heron

In the lake

With their cousins

Note Ken in the back

Baba and his Baby

Pretty much wore everyone out which was good as we got home, had pizza, let the kids watch a movie and then BEDTIME! Which leads me to Saturday. A much more laid back sort of day as we were waiting on Ken’s brother Joe to come collect his kids and then head out to Sam’s Club to get a family membership and FINALLY some shopping for a cross stitching kit to keep yours truly more busy. 

A good start

This was Echo’s first meeting of her US uncle. She was reticent but there is plenty of time to work on that. 

Joe, Ken and their dad

Hanging with Uncle Joe

Oh and did I mention, Karyn got herself a brand new kitten??? I got to Skype with her and Miss Loki Friday night!!! VERY cute, I am so envious… I cannot wait til we get settled and hopefully can get our own little furry friend. 

Skyping with Karyn and the kitty

Are we coming to the realization that here is where we stay (by here I mean Minnesota)… sorta… but we will!

Enjoying some together time