Blank Park Zoo, 4th of July Fun and a FIFTH birthday party!

We took a quick trip to the Blank Park Zoo and had so much fun.

 

 

Peighton wanted a kangaroo picture...Preston did not.

 

It was such a nice day to enjoy the zoo!

 

Peighton also wanted a frog picture... Preston did not.

 

We had  a great time!

 

We hit the Wellman parade for the 4th of July.

 

The kids decided to ride their Big Wheels in the kiddie parade.

 

They love it and are already planning what they want to do next year.

 

It's a bit more work to ride their Big Wheels back up the hill!

 

Everybody loves a good parade!

 

The next weekend it was time to celebrate PRESTON!

He wanted a Lego party this year.

 

 

We rented a huge bouncy house for the backyard.

It was SO MUCH FUN!!!!
Dustin and I had about as much fun as the kids!

 

They bounced for the entire afternoon.

 

He even had Legos on his cake!

 

When it was time to light the candles, we couldn't get the small lighter to work....so we made do.

Dustin went and got his torch to light the tiny Lego candles!

 

Blowing out his FIVE candles.

 

He had a great birthday party!

He can't wait for his "birthday day" for more fun!

Mark Twain, Hannibal, MO and Honeycreek!

 

We took a quick camping trip down to Hannibal, MO and we learned a bit about Mark Twain!

 

 

We stayed at Mark Twain Landing.

It was a fun and different experience than all the other camping places we've been.

There was a water park, mini golf, bike trails, fishing-LOTS to do.

 

 

We took a tour of Mark Twain Cave.

Both kids LOVED it.

We learned a lot about the cave and all the people who have passed through there.

The one that impressed Preston the most was Jesse James after he had robbed a bank!

We walked for the entire tour and saw lots of interesting things along the way.

 

 

It was COLD in the cave!

 

We also took a ride on a paddle boat down the Mississippi.

 

Preston thought we should take a "mad" picture.

 

They did really enjoy it though!

 

Three of us have matching "Happy Camper" shirts.

The fourth isn't participating.

We needed a quick photo.

 

We also visited the Mark Twain museum.

So much fun!

 

One of their favorite things at the museum.

 

He REALLY liked the horn.

 

The fence that inspired the story of Huckleberry Finn is still there and it even has some paint brushes!

 

These two cannot resist the cutout head murals.

 

The next weekend we headed off to Honeycreek!

Preston got an early birthday present since they love to ride scooters when we camp.

 

This was right before Peighton had a MAJOR wipeout and came back crying and covered in mud.

She was fine and Dustin and I couldn't stop laughing.

 

They also got a little boat riding and fishing in with Grandpa Dale and Dustin.

 

A trip to Honeycreek isn't complete without a few stops at the waterpark!

 

We love it!

 

We spent a LOT of time in the Lazy River!

 

More head cutout pictures.

 

 

We had lots of fun camping!

It's next stop is the county fair-the kids can't wait!

Tent camping, Pig showing, GREAT start to summer!!!!!!

Dustin has been talking about tent camping in the backyard for awhile now.

He and the kids finally did it.

 

Dustin couldn't remember the last time this tent was actually used....and I had to find it with his texted directions from Arkansas!!!!

It was finally found, aired out and ready to go!

 

 

These two were BEYOND excited.

 

It wasn't quite big enough for 2 air mattresses, but they squeezed them both in because nobody really wanted to sleep on the ground.

 

I volunteered to stay inside...there just wasn't enough room for all of us...I was SOOOO disappointed....(kidding, I told Dustin there was no way I was sleeping out there!!!!!!!!)

 

They had a GREAT time and I'm sure they will do it again...after Dustin forgets how it is to sleep next to Preston in a tent.

 

We made it to the Washington Pig Show this year and had a great time!

 

Peighton and Tootsie Roll.

 

Bubba and Cookie.

 

 

Summer is off to a great start!

SCHOOL'S OUT (I'm a little behind)

Preston finished school about a week before Peighton did.

 

 

He had an awesome last day!

 

He had an amazing teacher this year!

 

When he grows up he wants to be a policeman.

 

They had a very fun little graduation ceremony and then a hot dog lunch afterwards!

 

Peighton's last week of school was such fun!
The whole school did a color run!
I wish I could have been there for that.

 

The last day is always a potluck lunch and lots of fun.

She had a GREAT year in 2nd grade.

 

Even CY got in on the "last day" pics!