Girlfriends!

I don't very often (or ever!) post photos of me or about me...but this week warrants a photo, I think. Here is me with my twin sister, Ann, and two dear friends, Karen Budge from England, and Gretchen Haisman from Minnesota. Karen and her husband Steve have been in Chicago/Iowa for a week and a half and we've had a blast catching up. She'd never met my children so it was wonderful for her to be here in the Midwest seeing us and our families. I can't even explain how thankful I am that she was able to visit. And it was fantastic to be together, the four of us, again!

July 4th weekend

LJ enjoys her sparkler

Lyndey and Lainey Mahel

Brett and Lainey

B-Rizzle and Claire Bear!

Claire loved the sparklers!

This weekend was a bit of a bummer...we went camping and between the weather being crummy and Brett getting sick, we didn't get a chance to really enjoy the experience much! We'll just have to look forward to the next opportunity. Here are a few photos of the Brett, Claire, Lainey, and Lyndey doing sparklers at Gma and Gpa Thompson's house :)

Milwaukee fun...

Claire at the Children's Museum in Milwaukee working in the garage!

Claire at Children's Museum

Brett and Claire in the motorcycle exhibit at the children's museum

Brett doing the news- you could be the anchor, the camera man, or the meteorologist- and all could be seen on the tv's through the camera! So cool!

Brett conducting the orchestra at the children's museum

Claire and Aaron in front of the green screen for the meteorologist!

Watching batting practice at Miller Park on Sunday- Brett got Mike Burns'
(Brewer's pitcher) autograph!

Mommy and Claire take in Friday night's game

Aaron, Brett, and Claire play in the kidzone before the game

Claire and Brett with Bernie Brewer!

Up we go to our seats for the game!

The whole gang watches the game on Friday night

Daddy and the kiddos at Sunday's game

Claire was doing her part to keep Miller Park clean by using baby wipes on the rafters
behind our seats!

Dan, the kids, and I met Tim, Ann, and Aaron in Milwaukee for a few days to catch 2 Brewers games and some family fun. We enjoyed the games and cheering on the Brewers and some time at the Children's Museum in Milwaukee. They had tons on "real life" situations set up for kids to play in and you could touch EVERYTHING! For example, a grocery store with all the food, flowers, deli, checkout complete with money and cash register and phones that worked to call other places and carts... a fix it garage with a car that you could change tires and license plates and air filters and use tools and call customers! It was great fun for the kids (and adults too!)

Lovin' spendin' time with our pals!

Reed Pfaltzgraff playing defense!

Brad (Laura's husband) and Reed and Brett caught some fish in the pond behind their house!

Ballers...Brett and Reed!

Brett with his friend, Payten Hayes at the splash pad

Tate Brecht tries his best to catch the water!

Jessen and Brett in their matching shorts (their Mommies BOTH have gr8 taste!)

Jessen crawls through the splashes!

Claire loves getting wet and then darts out squealing in delight!

This summer has been great for hanging out with friends. Brett, Claire, and I went to the splash pad with my friend, Sarah, and her boys and even ran into a few friends while we were there. We also had a chance to spend the day with my friends, Liz and Laura and Laura's children, Reed and Drake in Bondurant on Friday. We make sure to keep up...but it's never as much as any of us would like. We had a ball :) Here are some photos of the kids and their pals!

Fun times at the lake...

Ready for a boat ride!

"Look, mom...no hands!"

Claire has to get a closer look at one of the worms Brett used for bait!

Claire "helped" Daddy drive the boat!

And if Claire did it...Brett needs to as well (and vice versa!)

Brett casts his line...he LOVES to cast!

He caught this fish all by himself!

fishing atop the Loots' neighbors garage!

trying to be patient!

Here are some good times spent at a friends cabin....fishing, boating, and messing around :)

Planting with Papa!

Today Papa Totten came over and helped me plant some shrubs and play with the kids....here are the smiles and dirt that ensued!!

Fun with friends!

Brett and Reed doing some water sliding!

Claire loved soaking herself in the sprinkler

Reed and Claire having a splashing good time together!

My friends, Liz and Laura, and Laura's children Reed and Drake came for a visit last weekend. It was wonderful to catch up....and there was lots to catch up on ;) Here are some photos of the kids!