From Russia With Love: July 2006

More Family Fun

Over the last two weeks, the kids have really been having a ball with lots of new experiences and great family fun. Bo and Ellie took in their first polo match and their Great Grandpa was even part of the organizing committee. The kids enjoyed watching the horses, jumping on the moonwalk and hanging out with all of their grandparents.

Then, Uncle Bill came to town from Seattle. That was cause enough for celebration, but the kids had even more reason to cheer when they helped their Papaw blow out all the candles on his 70th birthday cake. Their Aunt Kim and Uncle Doyle were also celebrating birthdays.

The kids finished their week by hanging out with lots of people closer to their own size. They spent time swimming with their friends Cade and Cole. And, they also played late into the evening with the Chastain and Tully kids and earlier in the week when their cousins Spencer and Morgan spent the night. They also played with some animals about their own size at the FFA animal tent at the Boone County Fair. Oh, what fun we've been having.

Goofball

Chatting w/ Grandpa

Big Shoes

Bo-Flex

Pajama Party

Swimming w/ Uncle Bill

Summer Fun

Between a visit to Fort Wayne to see their grandparents, some swimming with friends in Zionsville, a special trip to the zoo and a day of playing in the rain, Bo and Ellie have been having great fun lately. They learned how to play a harmonica at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Then, they got to pet an elephant and ride a carousel at the zoo. The hits just kept coming with another trip to the pool where Bo started swimming on his own (w/ some floatation assistance of course) for the first time. To cap the week, Mom picked up some new rain gear for the kids just in time for a record rainfall. The kids loved splashing in the puddles and walking around with their umbrellas. The whole thing made us wish we were kids again.

New Rain Gear

Storm Chasers

Silly Girl

Assistant Greenskeeper

Ellie and Great Grandpa

Here in Paradise

Vacation has been the order of business for the past 11 days. And, the good news is that we still have a few days left. The first part of our vacation was spent in New York with visits to a quaint horse farm north of NYC and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Michelle's folks joined us for the trip, so the kids were able to spend lots of quality time with their Baba and Papaw. One of the highlights of the trip for the kids was riding on the Metro North train along the Hudson River. Ellie has been saying, "more train" ever since the ride ended.

Since we've been home, the kids have been busy swimming with friends and helping Mom and Dad with their landscaping project. We'll take in fireworks tonight on the White River and then head to Fort Wayne tomorrow to see Grandma, Grandpa and Great Grandpa. You'll see from our latest pictures that we've been having lots of fun.