Shannonogans: July 2013

July - full of fun. And a showing of how much I use my phone for photos (if I even take them) and not using my camera much.

We went to Green Lake, Wisconsin, with Tom's entire family for the 4th of July week. We had an absolute blast plus some relief from the heat in Houston. Lexi started her own hair business and has now a thing with Grandpa where she brushes his hair. I remember doing this to my dad...when he had hair...

Grandpa used to do the same for his grandpa and he would receive a dollar. So he decided to do the same with Lexi.

The freezing lake - never set foot in it myself! Derek and his dad took the kids to play in the sand at a park and came home after letting them go swimming in the 57 degree water. Exceptionally freezing for that time of year. They just didn't want any Shannons swimming in their water I guess.

Levi in the sand

Justin's expression matches my humor throughout the trip of why I would not go in!

Tom rented a house literally across the street from Tim & Maryanne's cabin. So we would walk over and hang out all day since they had a water front property. Justin helping Tim with the bonfire.

Daddy and Lexi doing a hand game

All too familiar site - Lexi is like her momma and "tell" people what to do. :-)

Cool dude

Cousin Joseph getting a dead fish out of the water

Levi loved hanging with Owen.

The jet ski. If I couldn't find Derek, then look out in the water and he was probably on the jet ski.

The boys loved going fast

Aunt Jodi got in the water with Lexi. Selfless aunt!

Maryanne's brother, Robbie, even got on the jet ski.

One morning the boys went fishing while the girls went shopping. Lexi had never been shopping with no purpose in mind, so it was interesting trying to explain that to her. We always have a purpose when we go shopping/running errands. She loved it! Especially hanging with cousin Janel.

The boys were catching them some fish!

Fishermen

Yum

Robbie would color at certain times of the day, and he never let anyone do it with him. He has his system and we all respected it. But he let the kids color with him one day. They loved being a part of it!

I LOVED drying our clothes outside on the line! Took me back in time and wish of cooler weather to do this!

Lots of playtime on this grass

Joseph and Owen are Derek's first cousins, and I love that my boys enjoy playing with them!

Girls

The fish that was caught was fried up for an appetizer. Our lovely waiter brought us our grub

Eating his catch

We woke up to a cool overcast morning and decided to drive into Green Lake. The kids ran around the amphitheater.

We have this saying where we always try to say who loves each other more. Levi will say he loves me to the moon. I tell him I love him to the moon and back. And then Lexi will say she loves me to the moon and back, moon and back, moon and back. Loved this!

Went to a park and played around

Lexi's love affair with anything furry...especially when it's alive! Her and Mittens. A walk through of their relationship. Hey kitty kitty.

nice kitty

Kitty not liking his life right now.

Gorgeous sunset

Rainbow behind my generous in-laws! They were champs with getting up with the kids each day, fixing breakfast, providing a house for us to stay in, shopping at 4 grocery stores to get our crazy eating list, etc. Love them!

Janel with her sidekick

Roger, Tim, and D

Baseball - lots played.

Going home for a clothes change.

Roger rode the bike at their rental back and forth between houses. So fun.

The four siblings - Tim, Tom, Roger, & Jodi

Wanting to drive the boat. Went out on some nice boatrides - so peaceful.

Another rainbow

10 year old Owen and 6 year old JT. Great buds.

Lexi & Maryanne dancing

Robbie and Lexi. The kids still quote Robbie who would say, "Are you my booboo?"

A lipgloss gift from Maryanne. Still gets carried around in a pocket.

Evenings were spent near the water

All time favorite smile of Levi. The light in his eyes, the genuine expression. Joy.

Cousin card game

Tree climber!

Our rental house. We stayed in the basement that was a good 15 degrees colder as you went down the stairs. Perfect set up for us, Tom & Mary Beth, & Ryan who stayed in the upstairs loft.

And I'm standing in Tim & Maryanne's yard - convenient!

Hair salon debuted again

More baseball

Then the 4th of July.

Watch out - strong boy!

Posing with Katy the duck, another gift from Maryanne. She was speaking Lexi's love language!

The boys on the boat ride

Water fun

The little boat that couldn't. Hand-me-down boat that we tried to pull a tube behind but never got going.

So we towed it back in, thanks to Joe

Group shot - Janel's stepdad made us Michaelis reunion shirts again

Yay for family!

The first line of cousins minus Kevin, who couldn't make the trip due to a coworker expecting a baby.

Attempts

Siblings

Janel, Maryanne, & Timmy

With Janel's hubby, Ted

Joe, Jodi, Joseph, & Owen

Jane showed Lexi her jewelry stash. Eyes gleaming!

She had waited for this!

We went down the street to dance to a live band and then came home for fireworks.

The next day we flew home with some tired but satisfied kiddos

But not without Katy the duck!

My mom, and then dad, came in town for Roland Lundy's dad's funeral. I went to an afternoon while my mom stayed back. Bow ladies - even Roxyloo.

Memories from childhood with this photo as I drove up.

Lexi got invited to a Princess Party for Riley at Pinkies Up. She had a blast! And the fun led us to make an appointment when we went to Disneyland to do something similar in August.

Makeup, nails, costume, necklace...hog heaven!

Lots of girly crafts

And snagged some photos off Michelle's blog since all I had was my camera phone.

Listening to a story about manners

Time for tea

We got a juicer and the kids love to help

Went to a party at the Tuley's 4-O ranch. The boys went on an hour long canoe expedition

I went for a bike ride one night and got caught in a horrible rain storm. Cam upon a friend pushing her sleeping child in a stroller and went slow as we laughed at the downpour. I was completely soaked when I came home.

We kept waiting...and Townley Ann Junod was finally born! All in the Lord's timing!

I got to spend some time at the hospital and Lexi came up after Townley was born.

Cheeks!

A little over a week later we got to keep the older three Junods for two nights. Lots of giggles, wrestling, and fun times. On the car ride to my house we discussed what everyone wanted to do. It was a long list, but somehow we did it all!

We pulled out the marble sets.

I had to keep the plastic and wooden sets separate. Type A.

Everyone participated while slurping on smoothies.

We went to Wonderwild and had a fun time.

All slept well, and the next morning we went on a walk with almost twinkie pajama girls. We transformed the BOB into a double stroller while Georgia and Lexi took turns holding Roxy's leash.

Bikers ready for action.

Played on the water slide until Brooks got stung by a bee. Nice.

We went to Sky High and ran into the Browns.

Georgia then left to go to a doctor's visit for a hurt finger and the boys continued on the adventure. We took Brooks & Barrett to Justin's last baseball game for SBMSA summer baseball league. Snow cones for all!

Justin in his Tiger's gear. He played with his Hunter's Creek crew and had a fun time. They rotated positions so Justin got to play all sorts of places on the field.

Levi, Brooks, Barrett, and Lexi played on the other field so awhile. It was a HOT game but they were troopers. Levi and Barrett were fast friends!

Meanwhile, JT was focused!

Always trying to run to make a in-park homerun.

The next day we met up with the Junod women at the Racquet Club for a swim, lunch, and final goodbyes. We had a blast, and a great week of fun right before we left for California two days later. The kids keep asking when we can do it again!

Two songs Lexi and I like to jam to:

Britt Nicole/Lacrae Ready or Not and

KJ-52 So far Apart featuring Emily of Shine Bright Baby

Finally watched the Stuck documentary that I had been wanting to see. Great film that discusses the hardships of international adoption. A must see, plus the rental fee helps the ministry.