A Full Day of Family Fun! Shorewood Fest!

After resting a bit we hopped back in the van and were on our way to our town carnival.

I feel like we were just there from last year. It was so much fun watching our kids have fun and enjoying the rides. Liv HATED these rides last year and that allowed for Luke to take Liv's tickets. This time however, we realized Liv now had a  LOVE for the rides and after only 3 rides a piece and 20 tickets later, we were going back to the ticket booth for a few more.

This was my ALL TIME FAVORITE ride as a child!

Finally, the tickets were gone and we chilled for a bit while the guys played.

We then headed over for a delicious elephant ear and a refreshing lemonade. We were stopped in amazement at probably the most beautiful dog I have ever seen! He was so friendly and stood there as twenty people came up to him in awe of his beauty.

This picture does not even come close to how gorgeous this dog was.

"HE'S SO FLUFFY!" *wink*

Annelyse even got to pet him. Right before I took this picture, the owner let the dog walk right up to her and they were nose to nose! NO JOKE! I started getting the anxious mom stance but realized this dog was completely harmless. It made me want a dog for about a minute. 

(I'm good now. No need for a dog, the moment passed)

We finally pulled ourselves away, ate our yummy food and sat around until it was fireworks time!

Annelyse was NOT a fan and quickly jumped into Papa's arms for protection.

(Take a good look, does anyone else see the EXACT resemblance between these two? I mean their profiles are exactly the same! WOW)

I walked up to the rest of my family on a hill watching the show and couldn't help but stand in awe of the view of our town way up here. If it were day time I am sure I would have been able to see where I grew up. (with binoculars of course)

Ah Shorewood Fest! 

So many memories and I now get to share them with my children!

A Full Day of Family Fun! Kidzfest!

Last Saturday, Joliet had a whole street just for kids.

I have missed it in years passed and didn't want to miss it this year. I figured since it was a full day of things to do with the kids, that I would ask Grandma Nette and Papa if they wanted to join us. I was so glad they were  free and said yes.

First up, checking out a Humvee,

Face painting

It was pretty hot outside so we did a quick run into the Joliet Rialto. What we thought was just a restroom/air conditioned break turned into checking out the view on stage. I was actually really shocked they allowed this but I was gonna take the opportunity to see what it was like on stage.

After our view and breather, we realized that ponies were asking us to ride them so of course we just HAD to. I thought the kids were gonna chicken out as soon as it was time meet the ponies but they were ALL about these cute little animals. Their smiles say it all!

Annelyse had a great time hanging out with her Grandma Nette. 

Papa too but she sure is fond of her Grandma!

Next up!

Bubbles,

Then a view from a Joliet garbage truck.

Who knows? Maybe in 15 years Luke will be driving one of these? *wink*

Last on the list was Luke learning how to change a tire.

He did a pretty good job...

and was pretty proud of himself when it was complete!

That was it for Kidzfest and it sure did make us all hungry!

We just had to go eat!

That was just half of our day and after filling our bellies and resting for a few minutes we jumped back in the car and ran off to our next fest...

Missouri Vacation Part 3

And then it was time for SWIMMING!

Such a perfect thing to do on a 104 degree day.

If we could have brought the pool back home with us I am sure my kids would have jumped at the chance.

I am not sure how it's possible to have so much fun watching your kids have fun but it might be my favorite thing to do!

Missouri Vacation Part 2

We were so excited to not only be in  Missouri but to be with family that means so much to us.

We don't need to stay busy 24/7 to have a good time. We just need to be around the ones we care about and it makes a wonderful trip.

Most of our trip felt like 'down time' but it didn't matter because we seem to never get a lot of down time when we are at home.

We enjoyed sitting around with the family and enjoy simple conversation along with watching the kids play.

Annelyse did her job at keeping us all entertained

She even did high-five's for Mckinley.

We ate lunch at the Steak n Shake where Rog remembers his vacation memories as a child.

It was great seeing him reminisce with his Gram about their memories and it was good to see that our kids are experiencing some of the same.

Liv and Mckinley had matching hats so we had to show them off.

Annelyse was fond with just about everyone this week. 

Austin thought he would take a turn and hold her but soon found out he had a new little buddy.

She put on such a show and cry when he would put her down.

She was a bit on the spoiled side this week.

When Annelyse wasn't being held, she was mostly sitting right here, in the kitchen, barking at the dogs.

She just LOVED the dogs and couldn't wait to get close enough.

And not forgetting this bunch.

Luke and Liv had a big sister for a few days and absolutely loved spending as much time as they could with Mckinley.

"Thanks Mckinley for being a great big sis!"