Soaking Up Summer

We realize that most everyone else is back in school, which means summer has come to a close. However, we are still available all day, every day so we are taking in all of the outdoor activities we possibly can before the bitter cold comes.

 ^^There has been a ton of horsing around with the hose.^^

On Labor Day we headed to a nearby lake and tried our hand at paddle boarding with some friends. It was a lot of fun, but I have to be honest...I thought the actual paddle boarding would be more fun. Once we got to the middle of the lake it was like "Now what?" Anyone else experience this?

We invested in a bike seat for Henley and it was one of our wiser kid purchases. She loves getting strapped in the back and telling me everything she sees along the way. She also loves pulling at the back of my pants cause she thinks it is funny. Me, not so much.

 

This is completely out of order, but this summer she has loved saying "cold, cold, cold, cold" when getting out of the shower and is notorious for staying wrapped up like this for up to 45 minutes.

Between the sidewalk chalk that we scored for free and these wings found in the dollar section at Target, she has been in imagination heaven.

Fall, I think we are ready for you to come, but winter please stay away for forever.

Wait, It's Not July 4th?!

So with all of the moving and getting settled we have been doing, I have fallen behind in the blogging world. Let's just pretend this weekend was July 4th, so I can feel better about myself. We had the Bliss' over for some grub and fireworks that night. We are so thankful they are here in Rockford. Henley and Cosy have become quite good little friends.

^^Henley was unsure of the fireworks all night, but didn't mind screaming and running away from them.^^

 ^^This picture is pathetic. Could I be showing more of my gums?! Sadly, it was the best one we got.^^

The next day we headed out to Rock Cut National Park and rented ourselves a family canoe. Best decision ever! Paddling across the still water, surrounded by mounds and mounds of trees was just what we needed. To be honest, Rich paddled most of the time by himself because I was on Henley duty. Below is our trusty paddler himself.

^^She wanted to be touching the water the ENTIRE time. I think I almost dropped her in the water about 100 times after my hands got too sweaty from holding her like this.^^

 ^^Best buds.^^

^^A toddler in a life jacket is a priceless picture. Also, her Sunday shoes with socks are the perfect canoeing footwear.^^

 ^^And then there was tons of this and tons of my heart almost stopping from fear.^^

^^And as always I wish I would have gotten a little more of this. Funny side note: Her and Richard sleep like that - - with their hand either on their cheek or under their chin. Genetics?^^