Best Month Ever

It all started on Friday, August 5th when the bounce house showed up for Lucy's Birthday party and she declared it, "The best day ever!" We have since carried that theme throughout the next few weeks with a trip to the Dells, Lucy's actual Birthday on the 11th and then a trip to Tampa. We have Birthday parties this weekend and the next as well so this month shows no signs of slowing down any. We are enjoying all of the craziness and are going to roll right into the start of school and maybe some sort of 'normal' for us all.

While we were in Tampa we explored Busch Gardens for a couple of days. I remember our one trip to Florida as a kid and Busch Gardens was the best part and I would still say that is true today. It is a pretty neat place.

Dave and Lucy feeding the giraffe.

Grace feeding the giraffe -look at those lips (on the giraffe!)

Dave, Lucy and I feeding one.

The whole family getting mobbed by the giraffes for our lettuce.

By the end of it, the kids were having a blast.

We went back the second day just to see the elephants and they didn't disappoint. We got to see them as they came out for their afternoon adventures.

These were some big turtles.

Lucy feeding the kanagroos.

One of the days Dad had to work while we were there, we headed to the Aquarium. The girls got to sit up close to a couple of penguins during the penguin encounter.

Grace posing by friend.

The girls at the touch tank.

Grace posing with the mermaid.

One of the friendly sting rays, they would splash water at you over the side of the tank, pretty funny!

The girls posing by the hotel pool, we spent a lot of time in this pool over the last 5 days!

We went to Treasure Island Beach before we left yesterday, it was a calm beach and we even saw Dolphins swimming not far from the swimming area.

The girls exploring the water and waves.

And so continues our ' Best month ever!'

Our first trip to the Dells......

We headed to the Dells for a few days this weekend. We have never taken the girls before and we are pretty sure that it lived up to all of their expectations. There was lots of water fun and rides! Here is Lucy the first day on the 'small' slide according to the girls. They definitely progressed through the slides pretty fast and were doing some pretty crazy big slides by the time we left today.
We went on the boat tour yesterday. Here we are standing below standing rock.

The girls posing outside of the wave pool.

Grace taking a ride in the Go-Karts.

Washing the car and bike!

The other night Lucy was helping Dave wash the car and then decided she needed to give her bike a good wash too. She spent more time washing that bike then she spent helping on the car!

Lucy's 5th Birthday Party

Lucy had her friends over for her 5th birthday last weekend. She had a great time.

Ellie, Lotte, Lucy and Reese getting ready to sing Happy Birthday.

The girls making funny faces.

Riding Bike

Lucy rode bike tonight with no training wheels (and barefoot). She already goes full speed. There is no taking it slow with this one!

Needless to say, it was a little nerve-racking for Mom and Dad whenever the girls got close to each other.

Celebrating July Birthdays!

This past Sunday we had a great afternoon at the lake with the Krumm family. There was lots of food, people, boats and good times. Thank you to Springer's for having us all to their new place on the lake!

Max and Cory by their cake.

Rachel, Lucy and Maddie ready for a ride in the big tube.

Grace, Rachel, Lucy and Maddie out for a swim.

Baby Luca is here!

This weekend we got to meet Luca our newest cousin. Here we are getting ready to go to the hospital to see him on Sunday.
Grace holding baby Luca.

Lucy holding the baby.

After the visit to the hospital we went up to the lake and got in some swimming. It was a blast to have our cousins there.

Lauren jumping off the dock to Uncle Pat. She was pretty excited to be doing this again.