The Great Outdoors

 Matt's friend, Doug, and his family were camping for the weekend by Palisades (I think) and he invited us to come for the day so our kids could play with his kid and his cousins.  So we decided to go.  We had a great time- especially Matt and the girls!  The campsite had a big lodge and some cabins around it.  It was really hot so I mostly stayed in the lodge.  But we all enjoyed a day in the great outdoors!

 They all loved the 4-wheeler. 

Rylee couldn't get enough!

 Rylee also loved playing this- 

I played with her mostly and she thought it was great!

 Ready for a ride!

 Part of the lodge.

 Now Ashlyn's turn!

 Rylee made friends with the oldest boy (of course!).  

He was very nice to let her follow him around and play with her.

 Ashlyn and Lucas

 Her friend had a bow and arrow, which Rylee loves to play with.  

She's our little Merida (from the movie Brave)!

 Lucas was nice enough to smile for the picture.  

They're building a fort.

 The girls only had boys to play with- 

which is different for them, but which they really enjoyed!

Then they got to take this for a ride.

What a fun "camping" adventure!

 A few hours at the campsite without having to stay the night- definitely the way to go!  

We also got square ice cream cones on the way home!

(I forgot my camera at home,
so these pictures were taken with my ipad from school-
they turned out pretty good!)

OLD

 Yesterday was my 33rd birthday!  I am getting too old.  I guess as long as I don't feel as old as I am, it's ok, right?!?  I had to go to a class for school on my birthday, well this whole week. It was the first time in my life that I have had to go to school on my birthday.  It wasn't that bad- but I just hope that it doesn't have to happen again!  That's one of the reasons I've always loved having a summer birthday.  So after class, Matt and the girls took me to dinner and then our families came over for cake.  Rylee helped Matt plan for the party.  She knew everything we needed.  It was the best party- Rylee is a great party planner! 

 I even got three cakes- my mom made the pink one and Matt and the girls bought me the Snickers and strawberry cakes.  They were all so yummy!  Three cakes sure helped me forget about my age for a little while- good thing I'm eating for two (we all know how much babies love and need cake)!

There's a reason why I haven't posted any pregnancy pictures- I look so stupid.  I look better behind the camera than in front of it!  Keep in mind that this was at about 10:30 after a long day sitting in class.  But my sister-in-law, Angie,  has been requesting a belly shot (she is also pregnant and due 8 days after me!) so I thought my birthday would be a good time!  The baby is due July 20, so it's coming fast and we can't wait!  I look huge!  So there you go- the only picture like this you'll see!

Thanks everyone for the great birthday!

Circus Clown

Rylee made this balloon dog all by herself!

She watched Matt make a few of them, and then she was able to do it on her own.  

I guess she has to be a circus clown when she grows up!

Circus

 Matt's friend, Doug, invited us to go to the circus with him and his little boy, Lucas.  He had some extra free kids tickets.  Stephan and his family also went.  We had a lot of fun- we all loved it!  

 While we waited for the show to start, we let the kids take a pony ride.

 Then we decided to go on an elephant ride.

This is the kids waiting excitedly for their turn.

 Matt took Rylee, Ashlyn, and Mercedes.

They thought it was pretty cool!

 Bradley didn't want to ride it, so he just watched the others with me and Stephan.

 Matt and Anna

 We had to get cotton candy, of course!

 And the biggest surprise of the night was when we won a bike!

Matt bought a program and entered to win a bike and we won!  Yes, we were all shocked.  We don't win much, so we were pretty excited.  They gave Matt a helmet and a gift card for Walmart so we could get the bike later.  Well, since Ashlyn already has a bike that works just fine, we decided to use the gift card for other things.  But it was still cool to win something!

 Ashlyn and Lucas watching intently.

 This one scared me to death.  He started on the platform which was high enough and then kept adding chairs- I thought he was going to fall.  It was a little windy too, so I was amazed that he did it!

 Rylee wanted a clown to make her something out of a balloon, but by the time Matt took Rylee down to get one, the clowns weren't there.  But there was an extra balloon lying on the ground, so she got it.  She was pretty excited just playing with the balloon not blown up.  But when Matt blew it up today she was even more excited.  And then Matt looked up how to make a dog, so she was pretty much the happiest girl ever!