It's amazing how fast this month has gone. I've had two different trips to the Devils Lake area for work plus a trip to San Diego for the ESRI International User Conference and a family trip to Bismarck, and suddenly it's almost August! I've been neglecting this blog and my running - time to get serious about both again.
Eli's been working on a plan to travel with me. This is one of his favorites:
It finally warmed up a little so we could get the pool out. We added the slide so the kids could get a little splashing in.
Jennifer's brother Myron came to Bismarck this weekend with wife Fran and their two kids. We managed to get all the kids on the couch for a picture - all sitting at the same time was all we could ask for.
Here's one of just the girls. Notice they're all smiling, looking at the camera, and behaving.
And now here's one of all the boys doing the same...wait...nope. Not going to happen. We've got Matt trying to maintain control over Eli, and Grant doing...well, I'm not sure what Grant is doing. Hiding behind his own legs?
Alison and Eli discovered the joy of Hungry Hungry Hippos. I forgot how loud this game actually is. I think it would be a great game for Grandma and Grandpa's house.
We celebrated Eli's 2nd birthday on Thursday at Happy Joes with Carrie & Joel and Jodi & Ryan and kids. Pizza, ice cream and too much time in the game room, and the night went off without any major meltdowns.
Alison got to teach Eli the finer points of winning tickets.
Joel and Christopher playing the basketball toss game. This, by the way, is the same game that Eli attempted to climb into all night long. He was just shy of getting over the final barrier by the time I was able to pry him off.
Eli tearing into a present from Grandma and Grandpa. He got a baseball tee and pitching machine. He seems to really like it, and if he gets good at it, maybe he'll play pro ball one day. If he doesn't, he could play for the Tigers (sorry Joel, had to do it).
Christopher helping Eli with a present. I love 2-year-old parties - the kids all want to open the presents, and they don't quite get the whole gift exchange concept. I propose we do this for all ages at Christmas - everybody, open up somebody else's present and act completely surprised!
I said major meltdowns. He's still two. And it's HIS party, and yes, he will cry if he wants to. I'm not sure of the reason, but Eli felt compelled to go into a corner and play with his new dump truck while crying. Hey, as long as it's quiet and he's not bothering anybody...
Finally, ice cream sundaes for everyone. Clown ice cream, with peanut eyes and a maraschino cherry nose. For those of us who have an aversion to clowns, there is something therapeutic about stabbing a clown sundae in the head with a spoon.
Ahem. Father, I see you have more ice cream. May I have some NOM NOM NOM.
I spent Friday home with the kids while packing for Bismarck. After we dropped Daisy off at the kennel, we came home and played in the front yard. Alison made a very large cat with her chalk, and I was really impressed with the improvement in her drawing skills.
We also set up the pitching machine to see how it worked. The kids absolutely loved it, even after discovering what happens to the baseballs after they're dropped into the tube.
When we went to Bismarck, we had a cookout at Patty and Chuck's and Grandma B made a cake for Eli. Took lots of pictures, but this one is my favorite. He did it! He actually listened and blew out a candle! With no spit! He did it!
Alison and cousins Alexander and Andrew watching fireworks out the front window.
On Saturday morning, we went to the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck. As always, the most common animals (goats, ducks, donkeys, etc) were the favorites.
Alison and Alexander went running off to see the emus. When I got there, I realized just how ugly emus really are. I mean really, the thing's got a look that would send a chill down its own mother's spine.
One of the tigers was very close to the window when Eli walked up. I'm pretty sure Eli was thinking "Please can we keep it?" while the tiger was thinking "appetizer".
That night we had a barbecue at Aunt Connie's house, then went back to Patty and Chuck's to light off fireworks. Here's Chuck launching a rocket.
