Summer-Part 2

Summer adventures-Part TWO!!!!  Lexie started walking!!!! She started taking her first steps in the middle of June and just took off from there.  She loves walking and is constantly on the go.  She tries to keep up with everyone...especially her big brother.

I took the kids over to the John Deere Commons to see the tractors.  Lexie loved all of the big machines.  She enjoyed climbing the stairs and pushing all the buttons inside the tractors.  She thought it was pretty cool pretending to drive them as well.

They have a small kids area with farm animals (her favorite) and books (her other favorite). 

Then we headed outside to see the tractors on display there as well....all in all it was a successful day.

We have been waiting for How to Train your Dragon 2, to come out for years!!! We loved the first one.  So, when we found out when the second one came out....we were in line at the theaters.  I think we all agreed that it was better than the first.....definitely a family favorite.

This summer also brought swim lessons for Parker. He usually complains that the water is cold so I waited until the middle of July to sign him up....to make sure it was nice and warm....the first week it did not get much higher than 75 degrees and at 10am it was much cooler than that.....it was cold.

But he was a trooper.  He really loves to swim and has improved on his strokes from the previous year....he loves being in the water.  These are pictures from his last day.  He finally got the courage to go down the slide...and loved it.  Lexie also enjoyed being outside and meeting new friends....and seeing just how far she could get to the pool before I stopped her:)

Another tradition is the annual Quad Cities Bix run.  Parker has been running in the Jr. Bix since he was 3 and we have continued on that tradition.  He is with the "bigger" kids now and they run a 1/2 mile.  He wanted to get there early so he could be first in line.

There he is just about to cross the finish line.

Good Job!!!!

Every year we try to take a vacation with our family.  Some years we have big vacations planned and others we do smaller ones.  We are planning a vacation with Ben's family next year....so just wanted to do something close to home.  We decided to go to Grand Harbor Resort in Dubuque.  It was so fun!!! We stayed for two nights and it was well worth it.  We got great package deals, which included free breakfast (which was delicious) swimming and tickets to the museum and aquarium.

Here are a few shots from the museum and aquarium.  Lexie will either flash you a beautiful smile or try to squirm away as fast as she can....today she was squirmy:)  but she loved exploring the museum and aquarium.

Here she came face to face with a sting ray....I mean, inches from her face.  She turned and looked at me and started crying.  After that she kept her distance from the glass....but couldn't resist looking at all the fish and other water animals.

And we always enjoy the company of Grandma and Grandpa.....vacations are just a little better with them:)

Parker avoids the camera as much as he can.  He says, he is embarrassed.  Whatever.  I told him we had to get some pictures of him or else people would think we left him at home.  So, I grabbed him and Ben took some pictures.....he is growing up so fast!!!

Love this....best selfie ever!!!!

Our hotel had an indoor waterpark....it was small, but the perfect size for the kids.  There were 3 waterslides, a zero-1 1/2 foot pool for Lexie.  A lazy river and a pool with basketball hoops.  They also had a big playground waterpark.  There was something for everyone.  I loved the size of the park because at one point Lexie fell asleep and I was the only one there with the kids, but I could still hold her and sit and still keep a watchful eye on Parker.

The kids love the water...Lexie loved swimming with dad....she just kicked her feet and splashed her hands...she had a ball.  Parker was all about the pictures when it came to showing off his swimming skills.

Dubuque had a elevator on a hill....it is a little car that takes you up to the hightest point and back down.  Lexie was asleep, but the rest of us enjoyed it. 

And lastly, we just really enjoyed being outside together.  We had a pretty mild summer, with a few really hot days, so we tried to get out and do some fun things together.  The boys love riding their bikes and I usually pushed Lexie and held onto Harrison.  This is something we all really enjoy doing...having fun, getting some exercise and being together. 

Stay tuned for the last of our summer adventures!!!!