The Story Of Seven: June 2011

My sister, Marcey, and her husband, Bill, were able to come for a visit from their home in Virginia. They came over Memorial weekend and it was so fun having them. The weather was fabulous so we were able to a lot of things outside.
The first night we grilled some chicken out on the deck. Robb is super good on the grill so our dinner was really yummy. After dinner we went for a walk in the woods out behind our house. This is something that Josh and Jake LOVE to do. I had never been out back here so I told the boys they could be our "tour guides."

This is a picture of what it looks like behind our backyard. Lots of trees and bushes to explore.

Along the trail the boys led us on was what they called "the river." Some of you might call this a creek.

We had to cross the river. Here is Robb, Kate, and India. Well, India's leash, that is.

Jake crossing the river.

Josh and Jake blazing the trail for us!

Robb and Kate and Josh.

Here I am pausing for the camera.

Marcey and Bill

All of us

On the way back to the house, we noticed this vine that totally resembled something you would see Tarzan swinging from. Of course, Robb and the boys couldn't resist trying it out.

Josh taking a "swing" at it!

Jake playing Tarzan.

And yes. That's Robb. He blends in so well to the picture you can hardly see him!

We've arrived back at the house! As you can see, the boys are beat! It was a great walk and they were awesome tour guides.

On Saturday, both Robb and I had work so Marcey and Bill took the kids to the school playground to play. They had a blast! You can thank Marcey for all of these pictures. She was snapping them left and right!

Josh and Jake shooting some hoops.

Josh taking a snack break.

Jake and Kate loving the cheese crackers and water.

We love the swings...

...and the slides!

Kate

My three little monkeys.

Kate and Josh just "hanging" out.

Uncle Bill and all the kids.

Another needed break for snacks and water.

Saturday night we made food from one of my favorite restaurants, Cafe Rio. Sadly, there are no Cafe Rios around where we live but I've been able to get my hands on some of the recipes they have. After another yummy dinner we decided to take a walk along the Farmington River. It was such a nice night.

Here are the kids by the river.

Robb and Kate

Kate posing for the camera.

Marcey and Bill

Robb and I

Josh on his scooter.

Jake and Kate scootering along the walk way.

We had such a great weekend with Marcey and Bill. They were able to go to church with us on Sunday and enjoy a tinfoil dinner with a group of our friends in celebration of Memorial day. (More pics of that to come.) I just love time we can spend with family and friends!

Josh and Jake have been working really hard this year learning their band instruments. Josh plays the saxophone and Jake plays the clarinet. Each week they have 100 minutes (at least) of band homework. They have learned many new and fun songs this year and have really develope a love of playing music. As their mom, this totally thrills me! It makes me happy to see them get excited about a new talent. Anyway. At the end of the school year; the high school, the middle school, and the elementary school bands all perform at a big band concert called The Big Band Bash. The school district has 2 elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. Both elementary schools have a 4th grade band so on the night of The Big Band Bash, these two bands COMBINE to make one elementary school band. Needless to say, this was a BIG band!

Here are Jake and Josh outside of the high school where they performed.
This will be the high school they go to one day.

Okay. This picture didn't turn out very well but I wanted to include it to give you an idea of the size the the elementary band.
This is just one small section of it, too!