Manual Labor First, then let's start the 4th of July celebrations!

We had big plans for the fence re-staining project so we hit up the Home Depot.

Daddy reading to Emmalyn.  We are trying to work on her colors but she's not catching on.

Our fence, all pressure washed and ready to go!

We got started early, like 7 am and it wasn't too bad when we were in the shade.

However, once we got into the sun, it was BRUTAL!  We were both sweating like crazy and quickly tiring.  

By the time we stopped, we only got one side of the yard done and it had taken hours.  This project is going to be a legit PROJECT.

While Peter and I were working on the fence, our amazing neighbors Chris and Mary Ann kidnapped the kids and treated them to a great morning.

They took them in their pajamas and made them breakfast.  They also invited Owen and Avery over as well.

 

Helping Mr. Chris make the pancakes.

 

Helping the chef

The finished pancakes

What lucky kids to get such delicious pancakes!

They ate out on the patio.

After breakfast, they worked on an art project.

Then they hopped in the pool.  We could hear them having a great time through the fence while we slaved away.  :)  (I sure appreciated their kindness in watching the kids because it allowed us to focus on the fence.)

Cooling off with some popsicles

The adorable craft they brought home.  I love it!

After naps, we headed over to our Katherine's house down the street for a 4th of July party (a couple days early).  (She's the one I've been walking with at night for a few months.)

Rockin' the shades

Maxwell enjoying the bouncy house waterslide

Being pretty adventurous (uncharacteristically)

The fire truck showed up and the kids enjoying being able to check it out inside.

I think half the neighborhood was there.

They had a food truck for everyone.  I tried the most delicious slider ever - - - it had bacon, goat cheese, and strawberry jam.  I know, sounds weird, but it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!

We finished up with Popsicles (swimming twice and popsicles twice in one day?  lucky kids!) before we headed home to get ready for our next adventure today.

We came home and got ready to go over to Tida and Jason's.  Emmalyn was fully prepared.

We went to Tida and Jason's to celebrate their new home. 

cheese

We brought the pack n play so we could put the kids to bed on time (you can imagine how tired they were after their fun-filled day) and still stay and have a good time.

They had a friend bring this gorgeous cheese board and all the stuff on top of it.  It was such a thoughtful gift!  I am inspired to do this at some point.  They got me to try prosciutto wrapped figs - another odd sounding combination that was delicious!

Maxwell was super happy about getting to sleep in a sleeping bag.

Memorial Day Weekend - Operation Disappearing Tree

Despite the rough day previously with the color run, we still had a great Memorial Day weekend with the Kenyons.

Playing dress up

Such a benevolent princess

Richard is a man of many talents so we were randomly talking about how I wanted to get the dead tree removed.  (Especially since I learned that the nice big green plant/weed that was growing up around the base and giving the space some green was actually poisonous.)  And he offered to go remove it.  I took him up on the offer.  :)

Comfortably watching the pre-action outside.

Video - The great tree take down.  It's pretty entertaining.  :)

Richard and his conquest

Hm...now there's a big dead tree in my yard.  What should we do to get rid of it??

The house behind us wasn't completed and still under construction so there was a ton of trash in the yard.  I often picked weeds and threw them over the fence.

These two were play buddies this weekend.

And these two were play buddies this weekend.

Eventually Emmalyn would let Natalie pick her up.  :)

That poor lump under there (Richard) was a good sport

All gone!  It's so fantastic!

Richard and Peter also capped off the old sprinkler that went to the old tree and ran a new sprinkler to the new tree and this great sprinkler in my garden.  I am incredibly excited about this.  My garden is the real deal!

We cut some cilantro from the garden to use in our fresh salsa

Makenna and I went next door to help Mary Ann decorate for our swim party

Happily playing with the cars

All the kids having fun together

Let's swim!

The boys hanging out

Double rainbow for good luck

The swimming was cut short by thunderstorms

I LOVE summer food!  I am looking forward to more grilling, more veggies, more salad!

The rain REALLY came down.

Since swimming was off the table thanks to the lightning, Maxwell and Makenna played Battleship.

Hanging out before bedtime.  They all get along so well.

On Memorial Day, we headed to lunch at Zoe's and then went to a new place by us that is an obstacle place for kids to play - similar to the obstacles on the show "American Ninja Warrior", which Maxwell loves.

Trampoline fun

Climbing over things

Cargo net

The kids worked HARD.  We bought 1 hour passes and half an hour in the kids were exhausted.  Maxwell was dripping sweat.

So tired she's just hung out on the ground.

Unfortunately, the Kenyons had to drive home after we were done.  We sure loved having them here!  It was a memorable weekend!

We finished up Memorial Day with more grilling and time outside.

Water guns and umbrellas

It's not exactly a pool but it works in a pinch.