Summer Catch-up Part 2: Cousins, Fish, and Horses

Here's my attempt to catch up on all the different activities from the last month or two:

One of the great things about belonging to a big family is that it's almost a guarantee to have cousins (or 2nd cousins) the same age. We, the parents, always try to get them in a picture together.

Kimball, Logan, and Jensyn were all born w/in a month of each other.
Some of my favorite 3 year olds!

And Tod, and his cousin McCade are 10 days apart. So fun to see these kids grow up together.


Anyone that knows me, knows that I'm a bit of a home body, and get a little hesitant about taking all of my kids out of the house by myself, but I have some awesome sister-in-laws who invited me and the kiddos to the aquarium, offered to help me if I came. So, I took them up on their offer and we had a great time. Thanks to good older cousins who are willing to help me keep an eye on Kimball.

Looking at the camera isn't half as fun as looking at the crabs and stingrays in the touch pool.

"Please don't fall in, please don't fall in, please don't fall in" (what I'm thinking as I am grabbing my kids).

Kimball was a little obsessed this this alligator, she thought it was pretty cool, and wasn't afraid at all. Natalie may have a different feeling, because the alligator jump at the glass as she was looking at him.

Jack having a great time trying to touch the fish.


Really, this picture was taken to prove that Tod was there too. We was more entertained by his toy, and was just happy to be out of the house.

And, another proof picture that 4 moms and 15 kids (Jack, Tod and Liz and Erica were stuck in strollers) can make it to the aquarium, and more to the point, make it home without forgetting anyone. Woo hoo!

So, when I'm not brave enough to get out of the house, here are some of the random moments caught on camera.

Okay, before someone calls CPS on me, I caught the kids in the dryer, got the camera, snapped a shot, and then they got huge warnings not to do it again. Sending the wrong message? Probably, but the kids can discuss that in their therapy sessions in 15 years.

Tod has discovered the joy of his bouncer. His mom has discovered the joy of having him in the bouncer.

And, this is our recent endorsement deal for DQ. Who wouldn't pay to have these cute kids endorsing their product? Maybe I'll send an email.

For Labor day, we headed north to my parents house for Swiss Days. Well, the kids and I actually ditched Jason for a couple of days, and made the trip up without him the week before. My parents kept the kids and I very entertained and arranged for us to go horseback riding.
I have to admit that I didn't feel as comfortable up on the horse I as was hoping. All of a sudden I seemed very high up, and concerned about the phrase "the bigger they are, the harder they fall."
Jack hopped on the horse with me, and we went for a ride around the corral. Jack didn't understand what was supposed to be so cool about this.


Kimball had no fear of the horse. She climbed right on, but she did start to cry because of the flies. The nice guy that was leading her around said it was pretty funny, because most kids are afraid to be on the big horse, but not Kimball, she was afraid of the flies. My little city girl.

And this is the one picture we took while we were at Swiss Days. The whole family enjoyed some delicious cotton candy.