Summerfest

We had a busy holiday weekend. I know it wasn't a holiday for most, but for us it was! It was Ankeny's annual summerfest celebration, which is always the weekend after the 4th. There are games, volleyball, vendor shows, softball, parades, carnivals, fireworks, bands, just a very busy 4 days!

This year Brandon and Chelsey were here, so we ventured out and did a little more than usual :) We started with the parade on Saturday where we got way too much candy. We met up with Eski and her family, Kohls, Andersens, Aunti Em and Kade. The kids loved getting the candy, but the parade has turned more into an election campaign and advertising for businesses rather than the parades I remember as a kid...but still fun. Zachey loved the old firetrucks, police cars and tractors :)

Later that day I got the kids up early from nap to head to the cardboard boat rigada. Our neighbors spend months working on their boat. There are prizes for best titanic sinking, fastest, and most creative. This year they built an amazing boat, probably 10x5x5. It resembled a wave with a shark jumping through it and biting the surfboard....it was very cool and kicked everyone else's butt by at least half the race course.

Taking all the kids to the boat race was probably a mistake. Grayson was not happy because it was so hot. So we walked quickly to the snacks to get the kids some treats while Grayson got something to eat as well. A bright red popsicle on a 90 degree day may have been a bad idea...it stained Zachey's skin temporarily, but did wash off in the end :)

--one happy sticky boy!-- 

--kenna was much more happy with her ice cream cone choice!--

That evening the big kids went to Gona and Baca's and Josh and I had a chance to go out for a nice dinner. It was quite fun, and the first time we'd been alone since Grayson was born really! We went to Rinallos and I had some great wine and Josh got his favorite food in the world fried Brie!

On Sunday we let everyone sleep in, watched a movie and Chels and I went to what we thought was an art show...turned out to be a vendor fair, but I did get a cute insulated lunch bag! Then we came home and Chelsey practiced doing McKenna's hair for her wedding. Was VERY cute, but took over an hour...hmmm wondering if she will hold still that long again!

--so pretty! She looked so big!-- 

Then it was time for fireworks! Zachey was exhausted, so I put him to bed around 730 but woke him up at 915 to head to the fireworks! We have a great method. We load everyone in the car and pull off on a side road right by the fireworks show. We put out our lawn chairs, eat popcorn and cover ourselves in bug spray. Then during the finale we throw all our chairs in the car and zip out of there! Then we beat all the traffic and are still able to see the show! Worked out great!

--it was still 86 degrees at 10..so we sat in the car for a few minutes-- 

--Zachey was so cute--

Zachey kept saying, "oh data a loud one" or "oooo dat bright!" There were also some planes circling the fireworks and he was pretty excited about seeing the airplane as well. I am glad we woke him up...was very fun!

This morning we are all dragging a little...there was a crazy thunderstorm last night that woke up Kenna. She has a busy day with swimming lessons and an eye dr. appointment...the summer is flying by!