Country cousins.

Every time Michelle comes you can guarantee two things.  One, you're going to have a lot of fun.  Two, you're going to be utterly exhausted by the time she leaves.  This time was no different.  I'm exhausted just going through the pictures.  Gird your loins if you plan on reading this entire post.  It's a doozy. 

We kicked off the summer vacation with a trip to the zoo.  We were excited to show Grace and Hattie all the new animals and Rocky Shores.  We got lucky to see a bunch of owls out this tim too.

It's funny how they almost always line up oldest to youngest.  I never pose them, but I almost always get a photo like this one.  Looks like Hattie is catching up to Sean.  Better start drinking some milk little man.  

This picture looks like Sean jumped in the tank.  hehe

If I had a dollar for every dollar I've spent riding this train, I could probably buy the whole train.

Kate found a nice mister to stand under.  It was bloody hot I tell you.

Now for a little snack break.  Pretzels and root beer...every time.

If I had $3.75 for every souvenir cup I've bought at the zoo, I could probably buy about 50 souvenir cups.

On to the pool.  Grace got a cast cover so she could take a dip in the shallow end.  Poor girl.  Worst month ever to break you elbow.

This is about where the 4th of July fits in.  See previous post of even more fun!

Michelle called this Kate's 4th of July hangover hair.  This is what she looks like every morning. :)

Anyone up for a boat ride in the pouring rain?  This is so unlike something I'd do.  I'm a fair weather everything kind of girl.  There was only one day we could go, so we decided to throw caution to the wind and make poor Nick and Jess take us for a small spin on the boat.

Thanks Shell for taking Katie on the tube.  I really wasn't in the mood for going out on the water.  I'd much rather sit in the boat with a towel wrapped around my legs.

You can tell the hosts were thrilled to take us.

Randy decided one night that we all needed to go on a hike.  We drove up Millcreek canyon.  On the way up Kate turned around in her booster seat to see the girls behind us.  When she turned back around she somehow got her seatbelt twisted around her waist.  She started crying that her seatbelt hurt.  When I turned around I could see she was in real trouble.  Not only was it wrapped around her waist, it was locked so that every time she moved, it got tighter.  I unbuckled it and it got even tighter, but I couldn't get enough give in it to unlock the belt.  She was literally suspended in the seatbelt with it so tight around her waist she looked like she was going to split in half.  I was in full panic.  We needed a knife to cut it, but of course had nothing in the car.  I figured out that if we could pick her up and take the booster seat out, we might be able to turn her upside down and untwist the belt.  Luckily it worked!  Lesson learned- always have a knife or scissors in the car.  Scary!!

Anyway, we did have a delightful hike in the rain.  

Grace cracks me up.  She is the coolest kid I know.  I would like to steal her and keep her at my house. Sean is so much better with her around.  She was constantly breaking up fights and helping me keep the madness to a minimum.

Well isn't that just the cutest family you've ever seen.  If you only knew how many times we got in and out of the car as Sean changed his mind over and over again about taking this picture.  Glad we got one.

On to Grandma Curly's house.

My cousins and I all used to get our picture taken in this swing when we were little.  We just found out it was my Great Grandma Johnson's swing.  It's in pretty good shape for being about a hundred years old.

Next stop... The Goon, as Jessica used to call it.  (Lagoon)  We had a blast with Emily and Brandon.  Kate was too little to go on a lot of the rides.  When we were waiting for everyone else to go on the bumper cars Kate said, "I'm not so little mom, I'm almost 4 years old you know."  Oh Kate, I wish you could stay this little forever.  

Sunday dinner at Grandma's house.

Not sure who taught them to meditate.  I'm going to blame Aunt Amy or Hattie for this one.

Can you find Grandma and the little girls? Someone needs to have a yard sale!  Of course with all those Buzz Lightyears and Woody's in there, all the toys would still be accounted for after the yard sale was over.

It was my mom's 60th birthday party to end the trip.  I think Grace talked Sean into wearing his tuxedo to the party.

The little girls got dolled up too.

Happy Birthday Mom!  We love you.

The kids made short work at opening all of her presents.

We got her a new TV since hers is as old as she is! 

Someone needs to teach that kid some manners.  One day Sean is going to find out the world doesn't revolve around him and it's going to be a bad day.  Until then, I guess he's just going to keep opening other people's presents and blowing out their candles.

Thanks for the good times Michelle!!