As summer comes to an end...

The past couple of weeks of summer vacation have been a whirlwind. In fact, the whole summer went by incredibly fast. I have to take a few moments to share with you the fun we have had over the past several weeks.

MILWAUKEE ZOO
The boys and I are so blessed to have so many great friends to share adventures with. On this particular trip to the Zoo we met up with some of our favorite pals.

Here's the group minus the 3 babies

Here are the moms of these little ones, so calm and put together

Now here is a picture of them sharing a laugh as their 5 year olds
try to capture them on camera

I love this picture because it captures Eli's excitement.

Here's Joshua and I with his newest girlfriend Hazel

Caleb and his pal Calvin monkeyin' around

Now what are they up to???

Here's Joshua with his other girlfriend Ada. Don't their moms feed them?

SPECIAL DATE WITH CALEB

Now that Casey rides his bike without training wheels it has given Matt the opportunity to take him on many special bike rides. You can imagine how sad this makes Caleb. So I decided that I was going to take him on a bike ride so that he would feel a little better. The two of us rode to Frame Park to do a loop around the river and play on the playground.

FOX BROOK BEACH

We love to go to the beach. If it wasn't so much work I think I would go multiple times per week. Maybe when the boys are a little older and I don't have to carry in a million things!
Joshua is a true beach bum

Caleb and his pal Cal with their boats

Working on making a river

OUR POOL
Our "big" pool has provided us with so much fun this summer. Some of my favorite memories are when the little ones are napping and Casey and I go for a swim together in the afternoon.

Here is my CA boy

Look at that form...

Joshua loves to watch all of the action from the sidelines

HOREB SPRINGS
One day I decided to skip the afternoon naps and head to the pool. This particular pool is not open in the morning so we hadn't been here before. The Reeds gave us free passes and we met them and Grandma Karen there for some fun. The kids loved it!

FORT CUSHINGS PARK

Last week I met a good friend at this beautiful park with her two little ones.
What a fun place.

After playing on the play ground for a bit we took a walk on the boardwalk.

After our friends left we stayed around for a bit to have a picnic and play some more.

In just two short days Casey will start all day Kindergarten at the school across the street. I know he is going to love it. I am looking forward to getting into a new fall routine as the little ones and I fill our days with learning and fun.

My new sister

Last weekend my brother gave me a great gift...a new sister! He did well, she is a great addition to the family. I'm still wondering how much he paid her to marry him:)

Thursday we kicked things off with a morning at the spa getting manicures, pedicures and other fun treatments. It was fun to hang out and bond before the big day.

Christina soaking her feet and drinking hot tea

Later that day was the rehearsal and dinner at the Reeds. They had a Brewer's theme because they had met at a game. My step mother, Sheryl, made sausage costumes for the kids so they could do the famous "sausage race".
Friday was the big day...here are some pictures from the ceremony and church.

Isn't she gorgeous! The dress was one of the prettiest I have ever seen.

My twin, I mean baby brother and I. What a stud!

The three cutest boys I know

Cousins

Casey and his bride...at least that's what she thinks!

Casey was the ring bearer and Hannah was the flower girl.

Family photo, minus the little man

Casey made us very proud that day. He did such a great job.

My favorite picture of the newlyweds

Just announced Mr. and Mrs. Andy Averill

Let the party begin!!!!!!

My momma and sister and I

Grandma with her little treasures

Matt dancing with our oldest niece, Hannah (the dancing queen)

My cousin Malorie and I with our rock star awards for winning the dance contest.

Note to self...leave the kids at home once and awhile!

Door County

Each year we take a family vacation up to Door County to celebrate our anniversary. This year we brought the pop-up camper and stayed at Peninsula State Park, one of our favorites.

The first thing we did when we got into town was to find PC Junction Restaurant. This is the boys new favorite place to eat. It is a train themed restaurant. Besides the decorations being really cool, an electric train brings your drinks and food to your spot!

We were blessed to have a couple of beautiful days that were just perfect for going to the beach. All three boys enjoy splashing in the water.


Peninsula is one of our favorite state parks for a couple of reasons; the beach is awesome, the scenery is beautiful, and we love the trails.


We had a lot of fun hanging out at the campsite with the boys. They actually enjoyed some of the fun meals we planned for this trip. I think everyone's favorites were the Ziploc omelets and the pizza pudgy pies.


We decided to venture out and check out another state park on the opposite side of the peninsula. So we spent a morning at the White Dunes State Park beach. It was an absolutely beautiful beach. The water was so clear and the sand was so soft. The only problem was that the flies wouldn't leave us alone!

We did have one day where the weather was a bit rainy. We still found fun things to do. Breakfast at Al Johnson's and a trolley ride around Fish Creek.




That evening when things cleared up a bit we headed out for custard at Not Yet Licked. They have such a fun play area for the kids. It was a great way to end the trip.

We can't wait to go back next year!