July 4th and Hula Hoops

For the past 3 years we have gone to our old HOA July 4th picnic party. The kids really enjoy it and Lauren loves going down the water slides.


Pure satisfaction!


A little snow cone action before the big event.


Lauren entered the hula hoop contest this year. She won her age group and managed to get us a $25 gift card to a pizza place. Then she entered in with the older kids and had to do some tricks too. You can watch the full video here.


Cole also enjoyed the picnic even though he didn't get to do the slides. Next year we'll let him go on the water slides too.

Little Joe's

Crayola factory visit

During our vacation in PA, we decided to meet up with my brother and his family at the Crayola factory in Easton, PA. Although technically it's not the factory but more of a museum. They did show us how they make crayons and markers. Here's a picture of some sand art outside of the factory.


Lauren and Caroline at lunch.



Justin and Lauren after they finished navigating their boats through the locks. Inside the crayola factory but just upstairs is the National Canal Museum.


Here Caroline and Cole are pushing their boats through the locks.


Lauren is learning about pulleys.




All four cousins pose for a photo op. Cole was a little preoccupied.


Afterwards, we all went to get ice cream next door at the purple cow creamery.


And one last try to get all the cousins looking at the camera.

Chinese candy

Last time I took Lauren to the dentist I gave her some Chinese candy
and now she thinks the dentist's office gives them out.

Footloose

Lauren is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Bride.


Before the food arrives, a little tic tac toe to stimulate the mind. Lauren had her hands full with Daddy's cousins.


"Remember, we all have to fall down at the end of the song."



Lauren and Cole loved dancing at the wedding. They just couldn't get enough. Lauren especially loved dancing with the bride and groom as many times as she could.

Floating

Cole's first and most likely last trip to PA

We visited back east for a good 10 days and stayed in PA. No trip to PA is complete without visiting Longwood Gardens. Especially since it's only 10 mins away. Here Lauren is enjoying the water much like her last visit.


Cole is playing with one of the many water exhibits in the children's area.


Lauren and Grandma are at the top of one of the tree houses in the gardens. There are a total of 3 or 4 of them.


Here's the whole house.


The lily pad area has some of the most colorful flowers.


And last but not least, there were 3 little chicks in a nest right on the front porch in Grandma's wreath. This will be Cole's first and last trip because the grandparents have sold their PA home and bought a new one in Seattle.