July 4th

We had a fantastic 4th of July surrounded by family food and fun. We started the day off with the Hillsboro parade. We had a nice shady spot with the family and all the kids made out like bandits with all the candy being thrown at them.

Playing some hop scotch before the parade starts.

The parade is starting, everyone waiting anxiously!

Jake and I laughed at this Thriftway float and wondered if the Jackass guys borrowed it for their movie. :)

I think this is my favorite picture of the parade. Zach was amazed at how tall this guy was and how he was able to walk on the stilts. But what I love about the picture the most is how Zach stands out in it, it almosts looks like he's 3D or we photo shopped the picture.

After the parade we headed to Great Grandmas for some yummy food, water fun and hanging with family.

Eli hoo-la-hooping.

Jon playing baseball with the kids.

Eli had a hard time hitting the ball...

Eli trying to pet cute little Gus Gus.

Juan and Ben

Aunt Becky and Zach playing in the pool.

Home made slip and slide.

Antonio doing tricks on the slip and slide.

Where was Jake you ask??......Do I even have to answer that?

But this time..he wasnt alone! Sorry Uncle Paul.

After Jakes nap and after the kids were starting to tire out, we headed home for baths and a few fireworks.

I admit that Im not a big firework fan. I love all that the 4th of July brings...potlucks, family, parades, etc.....but I could totally do without the fireworks. I think maybe some of my firework fears have rubbed off on Zach. He's always been afraid of them. Last year he spent the 4th inside the house watching us from the window. This year I maybe pushed him a little, and after finally giving in and holding a sparkler for a few moments...he went in the house to watch the rest from the window. Baby steps, baby steps.

I wont do it....

Ok, maybe for a quick second.

Cousin slumber party

Juan and Kristi are in town and we decided to give them a kid free date night. We had such a great time with the kids, and the boys totally enjoyed having their cousins spend the night. The kids are all at an age that it was very fun to watch how they all played together. We wish they lived closer so we could have more cousin slumber parties.

Zach and Julia cracking themselves up in the Tiki sprinkler.

Josep and Eli wrestled in the pool for atleast an hour, they had such a great time and were laughing so hard. Cute little Claudia just swam around them for most of the time, but occasionally would sneak attack them when timing was just right to wrestle the big boys.

This was her happy face just after she sneak attacked them..

All that wrestling the big boys, Claudia taking a break to watch Zach and Julia in the sprinkler.

After we got all dried up we colored candy collecting bags for the 4th of July parade for the next day.

I had to wash the girls clothing just after they finished, they got a little messy. Claudia got all comical on me and licked the marker. When I told her it was icky she laughed this loud and evil laugh and said no it was super yummy.

Claudia showing off her marker damage...

But hers was nothing in comparison to how messy Julias hands were.
And of course us gals finished off the evening with some 4th of July inspired toe nail painting. Julia was so stinkin' cute, she very dramaticly many times told me how beautifully I painted toes. The next morning I also did piggies in their hair, its not every day I get to do girly things as Im surrounded by boys. So anytime youre in town and want a date night Kristi and Juan, just let us know...we'll gladly take them for some more fun.

Zach the ham

So after me taking some pictures of Eli and his new pool Zach informed me that it was his turn to take pictures, and that he wanted to "pose". Id never heard him request this before, and found it pretty funny.

What a funny guy.

Thanks for the pool Grandma and Grandpa!

Here is Eli, trying out his new pool Grandma Rena and Grandpa Les got him for his birthday.

He gives it a thumbs up.

We've added OMSI to our memberships list!

We finally added OMSI to our places we have memberships. Im so glad we did, the boys are loving it! Oh and did I mention Mommy and Daddy love it too?

Daddy built a bridge strong enough to hold up Eli...not sure this is technically legal in the OMSI rules, but Jake insisted on putting Eli on it long enough for a picture.

Zach and Daddy building a lego structure strong enough to hold this ball durring an earth quake. It did last through the "OMSI Earthquake" but unfortunatley the "Daddy Earthquake" took it down in a big crash.

Eli the nutt...I mean Squirrel.

My little birdie. (Im still not sure why there were beavers and fox and etc in the bird nest?)

Zach collecting nutts for winter.

....bones.

Eli Zach and Ethan take time for a picture. How cute.

Eli and Zach in the shuttle. This picture actually cracked me up when I saw it for the first time on the computer. They totally look as if the rocket is taking off! haha But as everyone who's ever been to OMSI knows, this thing doesnt even make a sound or anything. Maybe they are actors in the making?

We love OMSI.

Summer time at the public library

We've really enjoyed attending the library this summer. The boys both signed up for the Summer Reading program and are having a lot of fun with it. Its so weird to think our boys are getting so big so fast. In September Im not going to know what to do with myself, Eli will be in 1st grade (school ALL day long!) and Zach in preschool a few days a week for a couple hours. Were very proud of our smart little boys and thankful that things like the "library" are exciting to them. I hope they enjoy reading and studying all the way through growing up, and then some.

This is at the Public Workers special day at the library. All sorts of fun things to do, story time and free lunch. Here Zach is releasing lady bugs onto the flowers. And Below is Eli and his best buddy Aurora shaking the sillies out before story.

Enchanted Forest

Cousins in town + summer time = loads of fun.

The cousins hanging out on a big fallen tree at Enchanted Forest. From left to Right..Eli, Josep, Zach, Julia and Claudia. How cute are they?!

Uncle Ben, Josep, Aunt Kristi and Eli making a big splash on the big kid ride!

Zachy and his bumper boats.

Josep and Eli in the tunnels. If you look at Josep carefully you can see that his head is actually poking out of the eye of a skull in the rocks!

The shoe slide. (Eli)

Julia and Zach racing.

Uncle Ben was such a trooper to come along, he even got to go on some rides too. Here he is with Claudia.

Ive decided that Enchanted Forest is one of my favorite little places to go with the kids. Last summer was our first time taking the boys there, but this year they really enjoyed it alot. They are both at an age where rides and scary things are a bit more enjoyable to them. They were both brave enough this year to take on the haunted house even! And I have to admit that Enchanted Forest brings out the kid in me, it reminds me of going there myself as a kid with my Grandma.