July

Dan built a rock wall in our garage. I hope it never falls on my car.

 Afton drew family pictures.

 And her own personal "Poiles offeser Afton" computer.

For fourth of July weekend, we went to my parents' home. Dan worked on Wednesday while my parents and I took the kids on a little nature hike along a river. It was beautiful!

Later that night we set of poppers and some small fireworks.

July 4th we set out early to Luray Caverns. We totally beat the rush, thankfully. It was really packed when we got out. The caves were really cool.

Next we checked out the car museum next door.

Eli loved it.

Dad made the world's fattest burgers.

We went to a magic show at the library and Afton was chosen for a trick

7-11

Another visit to Mom and Dad's.

Stopping by the apartment we brought baby Sam home to...

Dan had to speak at a Virginia lawyers meeting at The Homestead again, so this time we took the kids. Let's just say it was a lot less relaxing this year... We still had a great time.

 While Dan was speaking, I took the kids mini golfing. Holy smokes it was super hot.

 We had a delicious dinner at one of the hotel restaurants and then Dan took Eli back to the hotel room while I roasted s'mores with Sam and Afton. Then they took turns rolling down a big hill.

The next day, Dan and I took turns exercising, then we all headed down for the amazingly huge breakfast buffet. Oh, it was so good. When we finally got ready to go swimming, it started to rain. So we, along with the rest of the guests, all headed to the indoor pool. It was chaos. The rain finally let up and we had lots of fun swimming outside in the pool, going down the slides, and floating along the lazy river. At night, we lounged in some hammocks and played some lawn games.

The next week, Sam and Afton were signed up for classes at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. They loved it. After class, we'd wander the halls for a while.

Here's some of Afton's artwork.

We also made lots of trips to the library. It was a fun July!

Rest of June

I made a post earlier called "Early June" and now that I'm looking at the rest of June, there wasn't that much more to say.

There was the last day of school and our celebratory frosties from Wendy's.

Oh, how time flies. Sam on the last day of kindergarten, then third.

We got our tires rotated at Costco and it took 2.5 hours too many. Here's Eli modeling that thing we put on top of the car.

And modeling his "eyes." He used to do this all the time to get a laugh, now he doesn't do it as much.

At school, Sam made stress balloons filled with cornstarch. One was in the car. On my day to chaperone the boys to cub scout day camp, I'm sure you can guess what happened when one of those boys stretched that balloon a little too far.

Cornstarch everywhere.

Camp was the week right after school go out. I chaperoned half a day and had lots of fun with the boys as well as shooting a BB gun for the first time. (The leader said I was a natural and gave me my own badge.)

 Sam is the only one his age at church. These boys are a year younger, but they all had lots of fun together.

For our 13th anniversary, Dan and I decided to go paddle boarding on the James. We had lots of fun, but when those boats go by, it gets pretty hairy! I fell in a few times and Dan fell in more, but it was a beautiful day to be on the water. I forgot to wear waterproof mascara.

After our adventure we went to an Italian restaurant close by. I love Dan so much. He is my best friend and I'm so grateful for the life we have together.

We bought a membership to a neighborhood pool nearby and tried to go there a lot this summer. Our kids aren't the greatest swimmers, but they got some good practice.

Sam tried out a tae kwon do class for a few weeks. They have to yell a lot. Sam decided that he didn't love it, but I'm glad he tried, so now we know.
 

And this happened.