National Night Out at the Park

National Night Out is always a fun event to take the kids to.  This year, Ramsey and I flew solo (Connor and Nana Karen usually attend, but we didn't have Connor and it was too hot for Mom!). 

We got there a bit early so Ramsey could tool around on the play sets.

With Ramsey being a little older, there were more things he could do.    We bounced around all over the park, this way and that, visiting all of the fun activities the event presented.

Ramsey got a kick out of the barrel train.  This was the first time he had ridden them.

  Like last year, Ramsey made the local paper (in front of the MRAP).  Once again, one of the photographers snapped a few shots, this time when he was whizzing away with the fire hose.  (I think the "cop shirt" -which has fit him for a LONG TIME - might be an eye-catcher for photographers - next year, maybe a fireman shirt?)

Ramsey didn't want to stop.  He would have stayed there all night!  The firefighters were nice and let him have a turn that was a little longer than normal.  :-)

He loves getting his picture taken with these funny back drops.

He got a charge out of getting to tour the inside of the fire truck.

 He got a super warm and fuzzy hug from the Canadian Goose at the wildlife refuge stand.  (The temp was in the 90s - I can only imagine how profusely that poor goose must have been ROASTING.)

Our Trip to the Cabin

With the chaos of getting Mom moved this year, our annual 4th of July vacation/trip to Nana & Bumpa's cabin was delayed a few weeks (we went at the end of July and the trip was only 4 days).

We made the most of our short amount of time and spent our time happily with Nana, Bumpa, Uncle Cory, Uncle Troy, Auntie Sarah, Sadie, Isaac, and of course the puppies, Maggie and Max.

Much of the time was spent on the lake.  The bigger kids fished, toured on the paddle boat, and explored.  Ramsey was lucky to have them eager to go swimming with him.

As usual, sweet Isaac was a super awesome cousin, being so helpful and caring.

Miss Sadie and Connor also swam with Ramsey.

 Connor had fun showing off a bit, doing somersaults off the end of the dock (with Riggs following immediately behind, of course!).

 I couldn't get over how big they're all getting!

 After getting his hair yanked, Connor may have thought hoisting Ramsey on his shoulders wasn't the best idea after all.   Ramsey loved it though!

 The big boys had caught a whole slew of fish.   It took Isaac and Connor a few hours to get them all cleaned and bagged.

 ...nothing like some cuddle time with Nana and Bumpa.  :-)

Family Day at Storybookland

With all of the latest goings-on, there hasn't been a ton of time for us to just chill out and have some summer fun as a family.   This weekend, we were able to do just that!  Saturday was a day of R&R; watching movies and vegetating.  Sunday, we took a trip to Storybookland.  

 Ramsey was thrilled to say the very least!   Connor was a nice big brubby and went along with everything Ramsey wanted to do.   Eric and I tagged along happily.

 They had two new rides this year; a new train and a teacups ride.  He told Connor, "Don't get crazy now!"

Laura Ingalls Wilder braids might be a new look for me!

 

 As per usual, slides were a large part of the day.

 Humpty Dumpty's roller coaster was Ramsey's favorite ride last year, but he wouldn't go near it this trip, so Connor and I hopped on and whipped around the track.  Eric said that every time we'd come around the corner, they'd hear me laughing... and then Ramsey would cry harder.  ??!!??

 We saw new faces at the barnyard this year.  One was a very eager (and hungry) billy goat.

Pirate ship slide!!!!

 The castle is always a favorite....

 The lookout towers are super fun!

 More slides...

 The inside of the shoe house was "interesting" (steep steps and windy staircases).

 Ramsey's favorite slide. 

 He didn't find any buddies at the playground this time.   :-(

 The "Land of Oz Twister" was a new feature this year.  Eric eagerly coughed up the $3 and sent Connor in for the whirlwind adventure.

Connor was able to stay upright rather handily.  Throughout the wind storm, he seemed most concerned about his hair!!! ha!

 Ramsey piled in once the great winds had subsided.

 He wanted Daddy to go inside so he'd get blown away!

 Ramsey's other favorite from last year was the great wizard's hot air balloon ride.  After the refusal to ride the roller coaster, I didn't think he'd ride with us, but he did! 

 His look of terror as we rode up was a bit funny.   He enjoyed himself.  Connor would have loved to make the basket spin, but I had to put the kibosh on that (not only for Ramsey, but in my old age, I probably would have gotten sick! ha!).

 Then, off to Munchkinland!  Ramsey ended up finding a little buddy after all...

 Ramsey fit into the little munchkin houses perfectly and ran in and out of them like a little crazy man.  I was surprised Connor didn't have any head injuries after his jaunts through the "tiny homes".

 We went through Auntie Em's house (had to use the phone flashlight for Ramsey), then off to the haunted forest.

 The talking trees freaked Ramsey out.  Daddy tormented him a bit.  Good times.  ;-)

 Before we left, we made a trip to the play yard that was near where we parked.

 Ramsey was "taking a break from exercise" and "counting steps".

 Eric challenged Connor to a pull-up competition.

 Connor won this time, but Ramsey also wanted to participate.  He won the "leg-ups" challenge.

Then, off to "Old McDonald's" for burgers and ice cream.