Well, my goal of making my blog up to date BEFORE the end of January was a bit of a miss! But, amazingly enough, I have posted more than 2000 blog posts since I began this site! What a stretch! But then again, I have enjoyed pretty much every addition to it.
Now that I have posted June it is time to look at July… Canada Day, Independence Day… we manage both sides of the coin this month. You can see our Canada Day finery HERE and Independence Day HERE. We were spoiled with also spending a portion of cousin Gabbi’s birthday with her since it too is on July 4th and their vacation had stretched to meet the date.
We had amazing Pad Thai dinner with the Schwartz family… which also included time with the always entertaining Mystro (cue Echo asking ONCE AGAIN when we will get a cat, even the pictures set her off lately!).
We had an awesome time at Aidan’s Lego themed birthday party. Darcy went all out with the theme and Emanuel was over the moon to see at least one of his scouting buddies when they were not in session.
I wish I had the talent Darcy has with cakes. I am honestly more of a go to Target and order a cake kinda girl lately.
July was also when Grandpa Mike made his bike trip up through Minnesota. We got a whole afternoon/evening with him (minus swimming lessons). The kids were over the moon with the visit.
On the phone with Grandma
Showing him the nearby park (Echo was napping)
He even took us out to Wendy’s for dinner! It was the longest we ever sat there and one of the most enjoyable ever.
Sadly he had to bike on earlier than expected the next day when he got news of a need to visit family up in Ontario. But it was a good visit and the kids still remember it fondly.
We had plenty of time for learning and school in July with cousins back home and the weather rather fine.
Gavin is working on his art skills
Wild Kratts: fossa
Miss Echo was a laugh and a half most of the time.
But we made LOTS of time for the pool. And in turn my sewing time. After all, sunshine, warm weather and a pool in the yard… why stay inside?
Towards the end of July we were able to also make it to Alex’s birthday. Another awesome day, though we had to leave early to make it to YMCA lessons (did I ever get a lecture from the kids for that one!).
We lucked out with weather and free time and managed to meet up with the Novaks at one of their local splash pads. It is easier each year to go out and just relax, what with the older Novak boys and our own kids being older. A lot less micro managing. It is nice!
Multiple visits with the Novaks and the Schwartz family were experienced in July. Poor Trinity, so many boys!!!
Extra bonus – visit with Alicia and Cousin Robbie. She is off to university in the fall!!
We rounded out the month with swimming lessons. I am so pleased with how well all of our kids are doing. We are going to end up with little fishes very soon!!!
And of course continued our archery, cooking and running classes at the YMCA thanks to Nana and Baba!
So really July was an exercise in making the most of fun in the sun! We didn’t do half bad did we???
Which at the same time had Ken, myself, Shandai and Ravyn at the Renaissance Festival.
Of course since we had Sean down we had to go do fun things… a trip to the Minnesota Historical Society… where we apparently took way too many pictures. But the temporary Hmong exhibit was amazing! 
Plenty of fun times at home (of course with computers included).
At the park…
We started a new year of schooling… well tried out some new ideas and photographed our one and only stating of a grade level that we do each year!
