America's Birthday and the rest of July

Well...are you ready for a boat load of pictures?  Because we had a boat load of fun in July:)

Of course we still go to the library almost every day.  We are very lucky to have a library close with a fantastic summer kids program!  Before the activities, the kids enjoy reading and playing on the computer.  Karson especially loves the computer since he hasn't done that yet in school and only a little bit at home.

The kids were in their first parade on the 4th of July!  Keith and his employees were in the parade in Lakeway to get the word out that their store opened so the kids rode in the back of a convertible throwing candy.  They had a ball:)

 The kids all take turns feeding Jack, letting him out/into the crate, and playing with him.

Here we are at the July 4th celebration.  It's the biggest one in Austin and usually downtown.  This year they are doing construction downtown, so it got moved to the race track for a year.  It's where they have the huge F1 race each year!  Luckily they had water slides because it was HOT!!!  Keith and I enjoyed the mist from these, too:)  The first video has Kassidy on your L and Karson on your R. The second one has Kaleb.

 Here's the boys in front of a real F1 race car.  They both asked where the driver sits because it really looks too small for someone to fit inside!

 Karson sporting his new cowboy hat!

 There was a storm close by that brought a double rainbow!  Always such a great reminder of God's presence.

 A festival wouldn't be complete without balloon animals!

Before the big fireworks show the kids stayed entertained by this little grasshopper...for like an hour!

 

Time for the big show!  Will Kaleb like it or will he be afraid of the loud noise like every year so far?

He LOVED it!!!  (the flash was bright so that's why he's squinting)

 Karson was not a fan of the noise but did like to watch the fireworks.

 Sand art creations at the library

BunBun...1 of 3 bunnies around our house.

Splash pads are a GREAT way to stay cool in this Texas heat:)  And they're free!

 

Kaleb made a friend:)

 

 

 

 

 

 The huge sand volleyball court is definitely a hit with the boys!  There were about 8 boys digging to who knows where;)

Look I'm peeing!  Boys will be boys, right?!

 

We've been here a few more times and yes, I do enjoy getting cooled off in the water, too:)

Karson goofing off with underwear on his head!

We found another splash pad (although it's really just one fountain) when Kassidy was at a tween activity at the library.  It was enough for the boys to play in and have some fun:)

Dress like a cow day and get free chicken!!!!!  The kids and I had a blast making our cow costumes and then getting free food at chick-fil-a.  Keith came, too, but refused to dress-up cause he had to work.  Like that's a good excuse, right?!  MOO!!!

 And free ice cream:)

We went to see Keith's newest store in Lakeway, just about opened now.  The kids played a few rounds of hide-n-seek, then we were off to another free activity at the library.

If you give a mouse a cookie day.  They heard this book, along with others from the same author, then had cookies to frost and decorate.

 And...a special guest!

 Once a month the library hosts Cooking Camp for ages 5-10.  This is a big hit so we have to arrive extra early get a spot.  Today they made red, white, and blue stuff.

One rainy day, yes it actually does rain sometimes here, we found an inflatable bounce place to play at.  When we got there we found a foam pit and that was definitely their favorite place to jump and flip into:)  Kaleb was daring enough to climb the rope ladder and then fall backwards into the pit!   Kassidy and Karson weren't too far behind him in doing it, too.

 Back at the library we saw Critterman!  He had so many creepy, crawly things to see!

 A lady I met at chick-fil-a told me about a free activity at a store down the road.  We went and saw Safari Greg from the Austin Zoo.  He also had a bunch of cool animals to show and touch.  Kassidy was picked to go up and was almost tricked into touching a snake!

Homeslice really is the world's best pizza!  Kaleb had an interesting way to eat this big slice:)

Lei hand made by Karson

 Just a quick look at how much our kiddos are growing!

Our view at lunch at the Iguana Grill just down the road from our house.  It was so beautiful!!!

Yummy ice cream!

  We checked out Barton Springs Pool in July.  It's a natural spring in downtown Austin that they made into a pool, complete with diving board.  They say it's cold...well I'm telling you that it's FREEZING cold!  It stays about 68 degrees all year round.  We stood with our feet or a little bit of our legs in the water (on a 100 degree day) and it kept us cool.  Kassidy and Kaleb braved the diving board!  Kassidy, Kaleb, Karson, and I braved swimming across the pool a few times (only because we had to go to the bathroom and it was faster than walking all the way around!)  You know it's cold when you're legs are numb after swimming across it.  But, it was a fun time and cooled us off:)  Next time we need to bring a small net to catch those little tadpoles.

Each week we are picking a kid to cook a meal.  This includes finding a recipe, going grocery shopping, cooking, setting the table, and serving everyone.  Kaleb chose to make pigs in a blanket (with cheese) and brownies for dessert.  He did a SUPER job!!!  Everyone loved his meal.

We had a super duper FUN month!!!  The kids are adjusting really well to our new home.  Kassidy even made a good friend and had a sleepover with her already:)  Kaleb meets friends everywhere we go, but no one close yet.  I'm sure once school starts they'll all meet some friends and get involved in some activities with them.  Only 1 more month left before school starts, can you believe it?

I am really missing home and my friends and family.  Luckily, my mom is coming tomorrow and staying with us for 2 weeks...we are all super excited about seeing her:)  Stay tuned next month for last days of summer and Mama's visit with us.  LOVE you and MISS you all!!!