Start of our Wisconsin Trip

 When all the family was in town and at our house for dinner we went out front and did some poppers and the snappers   (you know the little crackers you throw on the ground and they pop and bang)

 Those big kids get really into it!

 This is the only picture I got of Blakely - what a stinkin cutie!

 Soon after we traveled to Wisconsin to visit the cabin.  I had to include this group of pictures - us trying to get a picture of the 5 crazy kiddos! 

 Ha ha - Claire is trying desperately to get away :)

 Now it's time to head to the boat.

 The kids were patiently waiting for Grandpa to get to the boat. 

 The fireflies were everywhere!

 The kids were busy checking out the beaver dam.  We didn't see any beavers, though. 

 After the boat ride we took a walk along grandma and grandpa's road in front of their cabin. 

 They love to gather flowers for grandma's kitchen. 

 The raspberries were growing wild along the path - we had a great time eating them on our walk. 

 At the end of the afternoon we took some tube rides. 

 The boys kept going to the front of the tube and it kept sinking! 

 Elizabeth is getting brave on the tube!

 

Our last ride on the tube was Claire and Jessica.  She loved it at first when we were moving slowly - as soon as we picked up the speed a bit she hated it!  We had to quickly stop and get her back on the boat - she was happy then. :)

It was a great first day at the cabin!

Birthdays and Sad/Happy Days

At the end of May we celebrated Grandma and Grandpa B's birthdays. 

 

 I wanted to add this picture of Claire since she isn't in the other pictures, but it's not the best :) I think she's wondering what the heck I'm doing taking her picture while she eats. 

 Grandma and the crazy kids - posing with one of the presents. 

 

 

We had a very terrible, sad event this summer.  Tom's dad, John, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the beginning of May.  By the beginning of June he had passed away.  John was such a special man, so kind and sweet - we all miss him so much.  Our family all came together at our house a couple of days before the funeral to celebrate John's life.  We all know what John would have wanted us to be doing -  hanging out in the backyard, watching the kids swim, and drinking a beer - so that is what we did. 

 Carole and John's sister in laws

 Mary, Cooper, and cousin Katie

 Jackson and Sarah

 My dad, Tom's sister Nancy, brother in law Chuck, brother Jim, brother in law Mike and cousin Katie. 

 The cousins spent pretty much the entire time swimming. 

Katie and Elizabeth

Katie is a second cousin of Elizabeth's - the girls had never met before but they had a blast playing and getting to know each other.  Elizabeth was so excited to finally have a girl her age to play with in the family!

 Zach was getting really good at all the boogie boarding!

 My mom and dad - such a good picture of the two of them!

 I had to add this picture - it makes me laugh every time I see it - look at Claire!! She's thinking who is this crazy holding onto me?! I was trying to take her from her mom but she wasn't having any part of that.  Now (two months later) she really likes me.  Then - not so much. 

 We had a nice dinner that my mom and dad helped me provide. 

 All the H ladies we could find - we might actually all be there!

 These pictures aren't great but they are from the reception after the funeral.

 The location was beautiful and Carole had a wonderful meal for everyone. 

 It was such a sad time, but at the same time so wonderful for everyone to be able to get together to celebrate John's life.  He would have loved to have us all there together.