Family Time on a Sunday Afternoon

This summer, the weekends have been FULL of DIY projects around the house (power-washing and staining both the front and back decks, replacing and then painting the deck railing at the main entrance, cutting down trees, adding more landscaping bricks, staining outside patio furniture, adding a new glass storm door), plus the usual household must-do's (clearing out gutters, mowing, weed-whacking, pulling weeds, watering flowers, not to mention cooking and cleaning!!).   Needless to say, we haven't exactly had a boatload of time to leave the place and have some good ol' family fun.  (Ok, so fishing from our front yard and playing outside in our gorgeous environment isn't too shabby, I must say!)

We decided to take the boys to Storybookland and Wylie Park on Sunday afternoon (once we got some more painting done!).   The weather was gorgeous; warm with a nice breeze.  Perfection!

Our first stop was Thunder Road to pretend we're the Richard Pettys of the world and get our speed on!  Connor and I went for the first round.  Unfortunately, I got stuck behind a dude in a green car that rammed into me when I tried to pass - and, of course, I was the one whose cart got remotely slowed down!  Argh!   I didn't even get the chance to race Connor mano y mano.  Rats!  He won, I lost.  I didn't even get to race in the pink car.  Double rats!  :-)

Eric and Connor raced in the next heat.   Connor bolted out of the gate and got a good lead.  Eric got stuck behind two cars (husband and wife with child), but eventually got around them.  He wasn't QUITE able to make up enough time to catch Connor.  Connor wins again!
(Man, I wished I would have remembered to bring the "GOOD" camera!!!)

Our next venture was to one of the playgrounds at the park.  Ramsey was happy to be able to join the party and play!

Connor and Ramsey started on the teeter-totter.  Though Connor was having a lot of fun, Ramsey kept his "straight face" on the entire time, seemingly concentrating very hard.

Connor showed off his strength on the monkey bars and proved that you're never too old for the playground!

Ramsey is a lover of slides; big slides, little slides, tornado slides - you name it!

Being fearless, the little daredevil thought he'd try to walk up the slide.  I thought kids didn't try that stuff until they were a little older?!?!

Big Brubby swooped in to make sure Ramsey didn't get hurt.   Connor's always looking out for him.  :-)

Here's Daddy... "overseeing" for a while.   He didn't want me to post this picture. hehehe   Isn't he cute?!?!

Then, we were off to Storybookland!!!   Unfortunately, my cell phone DIED, so I couldn't get pictures or videos (note to self: "don't forget the camera next time!").  TOO BAD because there were some priceless moments with the kids; from playing with the baby donkey, the unusually long carousel ride, following the Yellow Brick Road, wandering through the haunted forest and the echoing tunnel, and a million trips down the Tin Man slide, it really was a great family fun day!