July finally!

Andrew finished up his 3rd year of medical school and geared up for... study mode. Ugh. But, this meant more time together as a family. Here's Alex on his bike (this is a daily endeavor). Note the shoes... a few sizes too big? pink? Yes, this too is common.

The next picture is what the kids refer to as "TICKLE TIME." I'm sure you can guess but this is their favorite time of the day!

This is not one of my brighter moments... leave the kids alone downstairs with a box of cereal on the counter. Only 5 minutes and the damage was done:

Fourth of July at an arts festival in Sioux City with great friends...

To describe the Elk Point Fireworks Show as intense is a huge understatement! The show was in a baseball field (little league size) and we sat right behind the dug-out. The kids loved it!! I was worried because the kids didn't blink once AND we were literally being showered with ashes.  And by ashes I mean black soot. We all left speechless. Only in South Dakota...!!

The River! Sam (my soon to be sister-in law!!!) talks nonstop about going to the river in the summer and I finally made it out  with her. We took her parents boat to a sand bar for lunch and swimming. I'll be honest... I prefer the lake! Yikes, the current was strong. The kids had a blast with Uncle Mike and got a kick out of riding in a "boat you don't have to paddle"! Thanks to Sam and her family for sharing this with us.