July 4th

July 4th is a tradition for my family to get together for great food, company and of course fireworks.  Not only do we celebrate our America's birthday but we come together to celebrate my grandpa's birthday too.  August 2013, my grandpa passed away.  With this holiday being a tradition of getting together, my family likes to have a cookout and getting a bunch of fireworks to let off in memory of him.  Here are some pictures to recap our time together.

Pretty table decorations

My mom showing the girls her latest cross stitch work.

My uncle has a HUGE yard for the kids to play in.

Just chillin'

Happy Anniversary to my SIL and brother.  My brother couldn't get away from work, so he didn't come down.  Sara's mom, Myrna joined in on the festivities.

My cousin Michelle and I with my sweet grandma, 94yrs old.

 Grandma with most of her great grandchildren.

Andrew with Kip and Brett

Mom and I

The FAMILY

Eat Up!!

4th of July Parade

I took the girls to the July 4th Parade.  This parade is popular for many locals and hard to get a spot.  Luckily the night before I put out a blanket on the curb to save a place for us.  I'm not the only crazy one who does this.  The whole street is lined up with blankets and chairs the day before the parade.  Fifteen minutes before the parade, Phil dropped us off and our spot was empty, just waiting for us to arrive. 

Our neighborhood friend noticed the girls and brought over a handful of candy.

There is Olivia walking in the parade with her friend.

Time to pack up, the parade was winding down.

Here's to another Urbandale July 4th Parade down in the books.  Off to Ottumwa to celebrate the 4th.

Long Time No See

Last Friday, we had some visitors.  Phil's brother Danny and family stopped over for the day for the kids to play and also to have lunch.  It just so happened that their cousin Jill and family just moved to Des Moines area the day before.  We invited them over for lunch and to have a little mini reunion.  We met Jill's children for the first time and all of the cousins had fun playing and being together.  We last saw Jill in April while interviewing for a job but Danny on the other hand, hasn't seen Jill in years.  Now, with Jill living closer, hopefully we won't go years without seeing each other. 

Aces at STATE

This past weekend, we were in Cedar Rapids for Andrew's baseball tournament.  It was like a mini-vacation, watched some baseball, I saw some friends from my college days, ate out several times, and I only had Ruth me, which was so easy!  We also visited with Phil's Uncle Mark.  Actually, Ruth and I stayed with him while Phil and Andrew stayed at the hotel.  Here are a few pictures from our weekend.

Phil and his uncle

Blurry because I moved the camera too quickly once I knew Andrew hit a home run, which ended up winning the game.

Just another hit

Drumsticks for dessert

 Pool Time

Killing some time in the van while we wait out a storm nearby.

Lunch date with Ronald

While we were over in eastern Iowa, Ruth and I headed to Blue Grass for a college reunion/pool party with my friends.  The boys stayed back since they had another game. 

Adina and Colette

Ruth with Colette

The girls chillin' after their swim

Iowa Roomies

Since Phil and I drove over to CR separately, I took this time to visit my cooperating teacher from student teaching, Michelle.   I know I've seen her once since I left her classroom, but it had been about 15 years.  We've kept in touch after all of these years with our Christmas cards.  We'd both say we'd visit but it just never happened.  She is still teaching in the same school, same grade, and lives in the same home I remembered.  Ruth had fun playing with her grandson, playing with some Barbies, and riding in the Gator around her property, which is the county side.  Michelle and I had a great visit, and am so glad I stopped by.

photo taken by Ruth

Time to Swim

The girls had swim lessons the month of June. Ruth is still learning how to swim.  She took 2 sessions back to back.  Now, if the darn weather ever warms up, we'll head to the pool outside.

Going off the board for the first time.  Scared at first but then loved it.

Just Us Girls

While Phil, Andrew, and Ruth were out of town, we girls spent our Friday afternoon watching my cousin's son play baseball in his State Tournament.  The cousins had fun watching more baseball, even though it was HOT.

My cousin's family

Also in town was my old college roommate from Iowa.  Her son was playing baseball too.

Ruthie Turns 6

Ruthie turned 6 on June 3rd.  It doesn't seem possible that our "baby" is 6.  Thinking back 6 years ago, school just let out for me, I was on day 1 of summer vacation, had a doctor appt. and planting flowers in the afternoon.  I felt some tightness across by belly but just kept on working.  As the evening progressed, by 10:30 pm we decided to take the older 3 kids to my brothers to stay the night.  By the time we drove to the hospital and checked in, I had Ruth Margaret by 3 pm.

Ruth had her first little friend birthday party and she didn't have to share it with her big sister Olivia either.  But first she opened her gifts from us and her grandparents.

Notice a change in outfits.  Ruth loves to switch her outfits out in a day.  Apparently she liked the new outfit I picked out for her.

Ruth was so excited for her birthday party.  However, she didn't like waiting all day to see her friends.  She invited 5 of her friends to come celebrate her birthday.  Ruth had never made a Build-A-Bear, even though we have several in our home already.  I thought it would be fun for her to have a party there.  All of the parties she had been invited to over the year had been very girly and dress-up like, so I was wanting something different. 

Time for some FUN...sword fight!!

She named her bear Jewel and her outfit is a white wedding dress.

It's my BIRTHDAY!!

After Build-A-Bear, Ruth was still celebrating her b-day.  Aunt Sara and cousins had to come over before the day ended to give Ruth her gift.  What a LATE night we all had celebrating Ruth's 6th birthday.  It was sure a birthday to remember too.