Summer Fun

We didn't have a vacation planned for this year so we decided to take the kids and do some local stuff this summer.  We took the kids to the Hogle Zoo and they loved it.  Rylie and Brynlie have been a couple of times but this was Easton's first time at the zoo.  It was the perfect day to go.  It wasn't very hot and it was mostly overcast.  The kids enjoyed the animals but their favorite part was the animatronic dinosaurs that the zoo had on display.  They also had fun on the playground.  It was a little difficult with Easton because he had to miss his nap and got a little cranky and hard to handle, but for the most part we had a lot of fun.

We also got to take the girls to Lagoon this year.  The last time we went was when Rylie was 2 and  I was pregnant with Brynlie so we didn't get to go on very many rides.  The girls were so excited to go.  Brynlie couldn't go on the big roller coasters but there were still a lot of rides that she could go on.  She loved the dragon ride in the kiddie area.  She would giggle and squeal and laugh.  It was so fun to go on rides with her because she had so much fun.  Rylie went on all the big rides.  I couldn't believe she went on the colossus, the new roller coaster called Wicked, the Rocket and a bunch of others.  She is such a tiny thing and was so brave to go on those rides.  I loved going with her.  She is getting so big and is so much fun to be with.

 Brynlie loved the Log ride and had to go again and again.  Rattlesnake Rapids was shut down for the day so this was the only ride to cool off on.

 Look how tiny Rylie looks on this ride.  Nobody could believe that she went on this ride.  I think I screamed more than Rylie did on this one.

Porter got sick after a couple of rides so he had to sit out the rest of the day.  He played games and won several toys for the girls.  He did best at golf and won the girls a big stuffed animal.  We had a lot of fun and the girls can't wait to go again.  Thank goodness my mom was able to watch Easton.  I don't think he would have lasted very long without anything to do.  It was nice to have a day with the girls.

Softball

This was Rylie's first year of coach pitch softball.  She played one year of t-ball and was finally old enough for softball.  The age group for her team was 8-10 years.  She is still 7, so she was the youngest on her team.  Most of the girls had softball experience so her first game I was a little nervous.  I cannot believe how well she did.  She was very timid her first game but she hit the ball and got on base every time.

Her Aunt Cassie played high school softball and after graduating was a coach, so she came over to our house one day and gave Rylie a lot of tips and help.  After that Rylie did amazing at her games.  She really started to love softball and was really sad when it was over.

This was Brynlie's first year in t-ball and she was on a team with her cousin Seth.  She told us that she thought it was boring.  I guess it was too much standing around and waiting.  She loves to move and run.  She did really good at hitting the ball and waving at us whenever she had the chance.  We had to take her on many potty breaks in the middle of games.  She would just run off the field at any time for a drink.

Porter got these pictures of her goofing off and dancing around when it was her teams turn outfield.  She would tell me that Seth would always tell her to pay attention.  She'll probably play again next year but it got me wondering if maybe soccer would be a better sport for her.

Easton vs. Outside

This post might be a little long because I haven't posted in a long time.  We have been very busy this summer and I am usually outside with Easton.  Which means I don't spend any time on the computer if I am inside because I have to catch up on house work.  The last time I wrote I explained how much Easton loves to be outside and play in the mud and puddles.  May and June were extra, extra rainy and we constantly had puddles because the sunny days were far and few between so the puddles never got dried up.  So here is a story of a typical day outside with Easton.

The goat finally had her baby. Actually she had twins but the black one died.  So we went out to see the baby and of course it had rained the previous day so I knew that there would be some puddles.  This is not a picture of the baby goat when it was first born.  This is the baby goat at around 1 month.  I just thought this picture was cute so I had to put it in.

Easton always has to get on his bike and ride around.  Walking just isn't fun enough.  Yes, he is riding a girl bike but he is secure enough with his masculinity to do so.

Oh, look!  He sees a puddle over by Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Of course he can spot it from far away, and he goes right for it.

This is Easton riding his bike through the mud not caring that I am telling him no.  He actually gets off his bike and plays around in it.  I didn't put a picture of that because I am already making this post really long.

This is Brynlie pouting because I am taking pictures of Easton instead of helping her find wild flowers for the bouquet she is making.  So in the few seconds it takes me to turn around and take her picture and talk to her, I hear a scream behind me.  I turn around and this is what I see.

Easton had somehow fell off his bike and it rolled on top of him.  So like the great mom that I am, I start taking pictures instead of running over and helping him.

Here is a close up.  See his little hand reaching up for help?  I am just laughing and taking pictures.  I should get a mom of the year award for that one.  Meanwhile he is saying "mom, mom, mom".    He really couldn't have planned it any better.  I mean, all this happening on the day I actually have the camera out, it was meant to be.  So after I get the pictures I want, I help him up.

He is a muddy mess!  I swear I was washing his clothes once a day.  The fall didn't seem to phase him at all.  He had things to do, so he got right back on his bike.

Here he is!  Ready to go back into the puddle.  I love the look on his face with his little tongue hanging out, and his hat slightly askew from the fall.

This wasn't the only day he gets muddy.  I have many more.  Just a quick note to my sister Cindy, who so kindly let us borrow all of her boy clothes so we wouldn't have to buy any.  I got all of the mud out of the clothes so you don't have to worry that I ruined anything.

Another day of mud!  There was only one puddle to be seen and he found it.  Some people are probably wondering why I let him get away with this.  It is too big of a wrestling match to keep him out of the puddles.  My kids had the biggest case of cabin fever ever, so I have to let them outside on the good days.  Even if that meant extra laundry for me.

This time Easton saw one of the dogs licking water out of a puddle, so Easton thought he would give it a try.  He does have some makeup on his eyes and cheeks, compliments of the makeover that the girls gave him earlier.

This picture doesn't involve mud, but no matter what he is always a mess.  He had found a cup of Porter's that still had some punch in it.  I have so many more pictures I could add, but I think I am getting the point across that my baby is the dirtiest baby ever.  He is definitely all boy.