Biking and Pizza - July 5

We were happy the sun was finally back after the cold stretch, so we got our new sprinkler out.

With the triathalon creeping closer, I decided I better get out and get some miles on my bike.   After about 11 miles, I was really bored and couldn't figure out why I was having such a rough ride.  I then learned the heat index was 108.  Oops.  I was on my way back to the car when a red pickup truck pulled up.  Dave and the boys were heading to town and offered to meet up at Pizza Ranch!  Um, yes, please!   So I biked another 6 miles back to my car. 

I'm certain all calories I burned while biking in the sun were quickly wiped out by lunch, but it was still a very nice day.

Independence Day!

I really struggled this week with the upcoming holiday.  July 4th last year was the last time the boys really got to spend with my dad.  I am still SO thankfully that my parents were able to watch the boys last year for a weekend so they could have some quality time together before we lost my dad a few short weeks later.   We had an amazing July 4th last year in Oakland with my parents.  I was very thankful this year we had something completely different to do.

 We were invited to our friends' home out in Valley.  I decided to make a Snickers apple salad -- which I had made the day before to take to our July 3rd celebration -- but I was out of apples!   So Sam and I walked up to the store to buy some more.

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 Sammy found a slushy.  I reminded me of all the trips to Casey's my siblings and I had as kiddos.  One summer they finally got a slushie machine.  It was pretty awesome. 

I haven't made Snickers apple salad in forever.  Figures I decided to make it this weekend.  It's the only thing I buy Cool Whip for.  For those that don't know, the Cool Whip scenes from Family Guy were something my siblings and dad and I often re-enacted.  It drove my mom insane.  Dad loved it.  

(If you haven't seen this episode, please education yourself here.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lich59xsjik

Pie tastes better with Cool WWWWWhip.

On the way to our friends' home, we stopped to grab a drink.  SIGH.  I didn't realize it until I got to the car.  

We arrived at our friends' home.  The boys were excited to find out that another friend had "a jumpy thing" and proceeded to ask why we didn't have one.

We enjoyed spending the afternoon on the lake.  Such a relaxing view.  It was hard to come back to our backyard which stares out at cornfield!

This kid cracks me up ...every ... single ... day.

After a fun-filled afternoon, we decided to venture home and do some fireworks.

It was a great day.  I definitely felt like Dad was with me.  Sometimes it's still hard to believe how different life was a year ago ...

July 3rd

With Dave stuck in New  York due to a hurricane, I was thankful I had plans for the evening!   We went out and had a lovely pre-July 4th celebration with friends.  The boys had a great time.

Henry is convinced that Emma is broken since she won't play frisbee with him.  He thought Axton was the coolest dog ever.

Oh, friends that have "a jumpy thing" are so much fun.  

Sam decided he was going to come down and help do chores.  

He made a friend.  Well, he thought he made a friend.  Cat wasn't so sure.

We enjoyed an amazing fireworks display from the driveway before we had to head home to bed.  Always a good time out at the Casson ranch! 

Zoo fun - July 2

We hadn't been to the zoo in what seems like forever, so we decided to run over over after work.  It's my favorite time of the day to be at the zoo.  All the crazy tourists have gone and there are no crowds!  Buildings close at 6, but you can stay in the zoo until dusk. 

Yes, it's July and my kids are wearing jeans and sweatshirts.  Thanks crazy Iowa weather.

Fun in the Sun - Splash Ground Playdate

Our scheduled pool date for the day was canceled because it was WAY too cold to be swimming.  We decided to check out a splash park instead.  Tons of fun!

 

They might be shivering!

After our fun day at the splash pad, Henry attempted this Mario table.  I'm behind on updating the blog.  I can tell you that six weeks later, I packed this puzzle up.  We gave up.  I swear it's missing pieces!   After spending an hour trying to do the border, I gave up!  Hopefully they forget it exists.

Tee ball

After tee ball, the boys really wanted to go to a park.  We decided to head back to Treynor so we could drop Emma off at home first.  Emma enjoyed the teeball game, but she wasn't too interested in the park.