On Sunday we had a graduation party to go to. My cousins, Tyler, Caitlyn, and Sydne all graduated from high school and we had one big party at Lake Afton. When I asked to take each of their pictures these were their poses. They like to have fun :)
So many people came to the party, including out of town relatives. My Uncle Mark and cousin Cole came in town from Arizona and my cousin Jason's wife Lori and their kids came in from Georgia. I got to meet baby Katharine for the first time and she is ADORABLE! I just love her chunky cheeks! The girls loved her too! Ares didn't really get to see her, he was very busy playing with her brother Gabe.
We loved seeing all of our family together for the first time in awhile! Everyone had a great time!
Since this party was at Lake Afton, it was only fair to let the kiddos go swimming! A lot of the adults forgot swimsuits, but they wadded out anyway. Ares was so everywhere in the water, all the pics I got of him were out of focus until I made him sit down with Nathan and take a picture! :)
After swimming we went inside for a little karaoke time. Andrea and Brianna were first, and I even joined in a little bit. I then brought in the Frozen soundtrack and let Ares and Ceri sing their little hearts out. It was so cute!
The graduates wanted to have an after party so we went bowling! I was on Ares and Tara's team so I got to be on the team with the bumpers! Woo hoo! Even with the bumpers on I still didn't do that great, but that could possibly because two little giggly children kept taking my turn. Sadly my camera died while I was here so I didn't get very many pictures.
On Memorial Day, I got a text from my Dad asking if we wanted to visit my great grandparent's grave. I hadn't been up since before the twins were born so I, of course, accepted. I piled the kids up and headed to Newton with Dad, Shari, Aunt Susie, and Uncle Mark. I told Ares some stories about them, and then some of the ones I heard about when my Dad was little. He was fascinated. I wish they could have met him, they would have loved him.
When we got back to town we went over to my Dad's to hang out with Susie and Mark, and have a cookout.
The kids started getting a little rowdy while waiting for dinner though so my Dad drew us a map and we went on a troll hunt. Now, we have gone on a troll and dragon hunts before near where we live, but this one was going to be special because we were actually going to find a troll. Near the Keeper of the Plains there is a giant troll beneath a grate. This was the first time we have ever seen it, and man is that thing creepy! Ares loved it, and was so excited we actually found a troll this time!
Afterwards we walked down the river to the Vietnam Memorial. Ares, recently lost his uncle on his dad's side that served in the Vietnam War. Also, my Dad served in Vietnam as well. We then went back to my Dad's for dinner and games.
On Tuesday we went to visit my newest cousin in the hospital. My Aunt Amy gave birth to her second child on Sunday night. Ares, Ceri, and Brigid LOVED seeing baby David. I barely got to hold him, they wanted to love on him so much!
We then spent the rest of the day with my Mother in law. We started by making homemade freezer jelly using a recipe that my Grandma gave me. We used mostly blueberries, but a few strawberries as well.
We then went and colored with sidewalk chalk. When I asked Ares to pose this is the face he made!
On Wednesday it was our family scavenger hunt that my Aunt Jenny put together. I was busy helping Brigid find the things on her list (Mary helped Ceri) so I couldn't take my own pictures. I stole these from my Aunt Jenny's blog. :)
Later that afternoon we then met up with my best friend, Kyle Ann and her son Jude at the YMCA waterpark. Everyone had a blast!
Thursday we decided to take it easy with how busy our week had been so far. We just stayed home. I had the girls practice saying "J" and the sound it makes. Ares even helps, because he told me he likes to help his babies learn. Ares then did homework (like he does everyday), we cleaned, read books, and relaxed.
Friday was the beginning of Riverfest, and we went to the Sundown Parade with our good friends Tuyet and Kyle. The walk there was not fun, but the parade itself was. This was the first time we had ever gone to the parade, and I'm so glad Tuyet and Kyle invited us out! (Ares was with his dad so he wasn't with us.)
As you can see it was VERY packed!
After this we walked through the Delano district looking for Final Friday art places, but there weren't any. We ended up walking to NuWay where the kids got old fashion root beer floats.
