July 2017 Happenings

Lanie and I walked in the 4th of July parade together for Girl Scouts.  It is the perfect length for her and the weather was great!  She loved throwing candy and waving to people she knew:)

 

We went to Lindemann's annual 4th of July potluck after Matthew got off work.  The food was amazing, especially the BBQ chicken, and the kids played the whole time.  Lanie didn't mind sparklers but as you can tell... she didn't care for fireworks.  She sat like this with her head covered up the whole time!

Lanie spent a week at Easter Seals Sunnyside camp in Ankeny this month.  Although I was a wreck dropping off and picking up, she had the time of her life!  Matthew and I worried a ton at the beginning of the week but by  mid-week we just left it to faith that everything would be okay and it was.  Lanie sang "Hopelessly Devoted"at the end of camp talent show with one of the amazing staff.  Next year we are hoping to send her for 2 weeks, once in June and once in July.

Firefly Country Nights: Jana Kramer

Accomplished a Summer Bucket List item by going to the Blank Park Zoo as a family.  Unfortunately we picked a sweat-dripping day so didn't enjoy it as much as we should have:(  We tried to stretch our stay there to 2 hours by hanging out in the shade with this adorable baby giraffe as long as we could.

Lanie and I had a girls'night in Kansas City with Nicole and her girls and Stephanie and Cameron.  We spent the hot afternoon at the pool and relaxed at Nicole's house that night.  We even got to see Nicole's new classroom before we left the next day.  The drive went much faster having someone to chat to in the car the whole time:)

Troy and Julie Vincent's wedding

While Lanie was away at camp, we finally agreed to let Carter get a puppy.  This is Rascal.  He was born on April 4, 2017 and is a hound mix (although everyone that sees him says that he is mostly black lab).  He's grown a lot these few weeks and has definitely squeezed his way into our hearts, not Gracie's yet.  He nips, chews, and whines and requires everything a brand new baby does, except from the beginning he's been a great sleeper!  Carter is doing a good job walking him a lot and is even beginning to let him sleep in his bed rather than the kennel.  Carter is quickly finding out how expensive and time-consuming having a pet is!  But I have a feeling he still thinks Rascal is worth it:)

Summer Bucket List:  I-Cubs Baseball game
It was a beautiful night together and we even lasted to the 7th inning!

We made it down to the Story County Fair.  We went for the dog show, but didn't last long as it was moving pretty slow so Lanie and I walked around to some of the other animals.  Lanie was too afraid to pick the chick up but did well holding it after I placed it in her hands.  Kaleigh and Lanie both rode ponies (although I think both of them might be over the weight limit).

Look who carried my groceries out at Fareway!  Kaelan James has a job:)  We are so proud of him!