Summer Fun....4th of July, Andrew's house, Megan's house and a new playground!

Since we have a nice big backyard we decided it was time to get our very own (gently used) swing set from the neighbors. Here it is after delivery....needs a little work. You can be sure that Carly reminded us that it needed to be "fixed" almost everyday.


Molly demonstrating her love of shoes (even if she doesn't really like to wear them)


Take my word for it, we went to Dixon for Fourth of July and had a fantastic time. In fact we had so much fun we hardly used our camera. We did happen to catch Carly waiting to catch some candy at the parade.


The weather has been nice enough (until recently) for the girls to get to go and watch Daddy play softball. Carly enjoys watching Daddy play but really enjoys socializing.


Molly loves to cheer for Daddy and can get pretty loud....but she really just goes for the snacks.


Swing set progress....it's starting to look like something.


Assembly complete it was time for stain. Carly LOVED this part and turned out to be a big help.


Molly lounging after a day in the sun....looks like Mommy forgot her sun screen


Staining complete....good work Carly!


Checking out the new sandbox location.


Slide...check.


Swing.....check.


Rings.....check.


Molly checking out a real toothbrush.



Swingset progress.....landscape fabric ready (nearly) for mulch.


This past weekend we went to IL to hear Uncle Andrew do an auction. We also got to stay in Uncle Andrew and Aunt Wendy's new house....but of course we don't have any photographic proof. Here's Carly with Daddy enjoying, what is not her first and surely not her last, auction.


Trouble squared.


We also got to spend a night at Aunt Megan and Uncle Brian's house this weekend. Here's Molly enjoying the swings at Cassidy's park.


Cuteness squared.


Too cute not to include. This cool picnic table was a great garage sale find from Aunt Megan (3 bucks!)


Megan also found this great costume at a garage sale and she just knew that Carly (our little dress up princess would love it). Of course once we got it on her, there was no getting it off. We even had to wear it when we went to get ice cream. I guess a pumpkin costume is never out of season.


Ellie put all the girls hair up in crazy ponies....even Molly.


Did I mention that there were red shoes too. Of course they simply must go with the outfit. Yep, that's Uncle Brian helping Carly getting her socks and pretty shoes on (for the ice cream trip).


Sunday morning we took a VERY hot walk to the park. Even riding in a wagon makes you thirsty.


After a short stay at the park it was back to Megan's for some pool time and snacks.




Megan and Molly.


Swing set update.....mulch delivery. (is it painfully obvious that this has been a big project at our house?)

King of the mountain.


"Holy smokes....that's a lot of mulch!"


Monday, with a heat index well over 100, Jason and Kim spent the morning staining 2/3rds of the deck. That night Carly insisted we go outside and play on the mulch. So, while the neighbors were inside in their AC or playing in their pools we had our kids doing manual labor.


Well Molly was more of a supervisor. This picture doesn't really demonstrate how well sand sticks to sweaty toddler flesh.


Fear not DCFS, we only had them working for 10 or 15 minutes before it was back inside for a freezie and a nice cool bath.


That brings us up to date, thanks everyone for a great couple of weeks! Look for a final swing set update and a trip to Lincoln to see the IL Schahls soon.