In preparation, we got the house “Hotel Ready.” That was our mantra for the week… we laughed a lot about hotel ready…. especially after you and your friends trashed the place 😉 on Friend Fiesta day.

Okay, well the Brazilians came and left, and we had an AWESOME time with them!! This past weekend, Uncle Mark, Aunt Bi, Niklas, Bi’s sister Alessandra, her husband Rogario and their 12-year old daughter Bea came to stay with us. Bi’s family lives in Brazil, so there was a LOT of Portuguese spoken this past weekend. In addition to seeing our local landmarks, we played 500, Madey read Harry Potter in all her different Brittish and Scottish voices, we learned a new lawn/beach game, you threw up… all kinds of fun 🙂

Here are a few pictures from the weekend, followed by a few just other fun pictures of you this summer!!

Yesterday we bought you a new (used), awesome bike!!

And you L-O-V-E it!!

A mountain bike.
Owned by a 17 year old, who was once 10, and wanted a new bike.
After one season of riding it, and 7 years gone by, her Mom shared their gift with us.

And today, we were invited by one of my old students – Chris Y- to ride.

We had an amazing time riding through the park where Daddy Jim and I officially got married – where we said our vows to each other on April 5, 2008… ending up at a place for milkshakes. Thanks God for summer!!!

Super fun slide show from my friend and former student, Chris Y…
Click here – Big Ole Bike Ride

Someone asked us last night what we usually do on the fourth of July…

It was fun to ponder that.

We really, really don’t have a usual.

We have spent one 4th in Washington DC (we think you were 4). Last year, we were in a rented home for the weekend on Chataqua Lake. One year, Daddy Jim and I were flying to Taiwan on the 4th. When you were 3, we have pictures of you on your Daddy’s shoulders and Marlie and her Daddy’s shoulders at the local fireworks.

Here are a few pictures from last night. We spent the 4th with our friends, Make and Jagen and their small ones, Juliana and Gabby… Oh! And you made a pie with blackberries you picked from our back yard… Have I told you lately that you are totally a rock star?!?!?!?

Facebook shared this Memory with me from 6 years ago…. precious: