Sorry everyone, a sunny day or two and I simply get behind even further! So while the kids enjoy the backyard with its new kids pool and I hunt for information on France and Lions… enjoy a little more of our July 4th!

You overflow with images so!

Just my boys

Youngest 3

Girls in shades

Me and my baby

At the lake

Themed ball and all!

Quinn and Trinity

Lily Bean

Trying on one of Lily’s hats she has yet to grow into.

I have to say pictures of Ken and Lily are always a gas!

Sparklers

Happy Independence Day all!

July 4

Our first living here in Minnesota! You can check out our original post HERE where I shared a couple pictures… now for the actual run down on how we celebrated!

Half and Halfers

With the playset moved to the backyard and into the grass the mosquitoes were a greater concern than on Canada Day. We replaced our Canadian decorations with American flags and paperchains made by the kids. Thank goodness for bug spray and the tripod!

And then into the front yard for where our ornaments would stay on display for the day.

Thanks to my pro button pushers for taking these with ME in them!

We had time after that for some running around before packing everyone up for a run to the lake. Our first of the year. Sadly the lake I had planned to go to was blocked off by the remnants of a parade… but we did make it to the lake we visited most often LAST summer.

I got a chance to wear the new swimsuit (please ignore the shoes… I totally hate the idea of leeches and at least they matched colours). I need to work on Victory Rolls for the hair !!!

I promise better pics soon!

The kids had a blast, even Echo eventually ventured into the water!

We came home in time to have a light late lunch and shower off…

Then back into our red, white and blue (or is that blue, white and red???)…

Red white and blue (note the blue and white bow)

and a hop skip and a jump over to Bree and Scott’s to spend quality time with Quinn and Lily.

Lily B

Ice cream Sundays for the win… add in Phineas and Ferb and the kids were over the moon.

Toppings

Then home to bed… fireworks are not major for us. The kids thought our day was amazing! And that was more than enough for me. Happy Independence Day!

Happy July 4th…

June 23-24

For the first time in over a  decade I got to spend a portion of my birthday celebrations with my best friend from high school, the lovely Shandai… with her friends Sam and Ryan. We were supposed to go sailing but the wind was against us (literally and figuratively) so instead we went out for amazing Mexican food, a wade in a nearby lake…

Shandai and Sam

With Ryan

and a trip to an amazing pet store with one of the largest selections of fish in the country. Including multiple sting ray (1499.00 no warranty!). All kid free time! Lots of fun.

Then it was back home to play with the bubbles with the kids…

And get a start on the playset.

Monday (which is far from my favourite day) was my BIRTHDAY! 34 yrs old I am! Which meant first and foremost that we had a half day of school to accomplish… of course!

Ken was up first and had the kids all draw me a special picture! Note the slurpees and smarties!

My birthday cake!

Karyn had sent a package that just managed to get through customs and get to me ON my birthday! What timing! She really DOES know me well… and included items for Canada Day as well.

Shirts for the girls, Canadian bits… note the yarn used as filler in the box!

In the evening we lucked out with Sean to babysit so Ken and I could go out to Khan’s Mongoli Grill and have all you can eat buffet there. OMG amazing! Like the Mongoli Grill we used to go to in Canada but cheaper and did I mention ALL YOU COULD EAT? Small bowls more often… less sauce choices but… yum!

I had Japanese tea.. soooo good

Practice chopsticks the waitress suggested I take home for Emanuel to practice with.

Then off to the Source to walk around and pick up a manga… I got some lovely facial moisturizer with some money on the back from Ken’s folks. Sensitive skin and everything and enough money for a manga and then… I am hoping to get to a yarn shop and spend the rest on soft, snuggly yarn!

Did I mention I got all dressed up, fascinator, gel eyeliner and all??? Cuz I did!!

Here is a good view of the eyeliner after all is said and done

Totally dressed up