Lessons at Lagoon

We are THAT family with the dorky matching shirts at Lagoon each year. Actually, it's quite fun seeing all the other matching shirts of our big extended family scattered around the park and having people comment about our fun group. Troy's Grandma Hammond has the annual tradition of taking the entire extended family to Lagoon (we're talking 200 people).

I'm always grossed out by the nasty smells of Lagoon-a-Beach but I bared through it while the boys loved splashing and sliding in the kiddie section with their cousins. We all piled onto 1 tube for a couple trips around the jam-packed lazy river. What's not to love about a water park in 100 degree heat?! (Besides the crowds of "interesting" people and poo smells). There really is some GREAT people watching at Lagoon.

And the lessons we teach our kids: while trying to get a good picture of Mason in the airplanes, I yell "shoot mommy, shoot mommy" (with the play gun on the ride that is). I quickly realized what I was teaching my son. Not good!
Lesson #2: Daddy buys them both light-up swords and as they start whacking each other, he yells "don't hit" and "be soft" - hmmm, exactly what boys are trained to do with swords - not hit and be soft - yeah right Daddy.

The result after yelling "shoot mommy" to my child. Who says that??

My baby is SO BIG sliding all by himself.

Game time for Daddy and Boys, Christian knocked 'em all down on his first throw.

This boy LOVES his food!

Thanks for the fun, fun Lagoon day Great-Grandma!

Here you see Troy disciplining the boys for "hitting" their swords, what else do we do with swords?

Swim Time

For the love of a cupcake...mmm red velvet.

That's right, even Sammy the Dog took a ride down the slide!

Mason shoots down the slide

Hit play to watch the boys slide!

Fireworks Fourth Fun

We loved having an extended 4th of July weekend - what's not to love with 4 full days of celebrating! Can we schedule more holidays like that?
Nonstop fireworks, BBQs, swimming and family fun! We're doing our best to enjoy every minute of summer.


The "lighters" Troy and Andrew

All the cousins

Evergreen Parade - the kids made a stash on candy and yes, Troy was THAT parent out in the street hoarding candy for his kids (and himself).

Daddy's Boy chugging down a root beer or "apple juice" as he was calling it.

BRUZER

That's right, the Z gives it more oomph. Accident-prone, football player in training, wild man, bad parents - whatever you want to call the situation, it is what it is. Mr. Mason seems to have a new injury every week and here is the latest (let's not forget the 2 times he slammed his fingers in doors last month and the multiple black eyes and tooth loss from the months before). You may wonder why I so publicly discuss his injuries?? I post this to make you all feel better about your own children's accidents (or lack thereof).

In an attempt to wipe his hands after eating at Training Table, Mason took off running, tripped on the stair (those dang crocs are like rubber door stoppers) and catapulted 4 feet, head first into a metal chair leg. The goose egg (alien on his forehead) immediately shot out 3 inches with a white and purple tip. We were freaking out and our poor baby was miserable!

Poor baby!!

Hey, at least he was all smiles in the end, and so was mom after a good report from the doc at Instacare. Here's to no broken bones, no stitches and no concussions! (knock on wood)

And here's to the REAL reason we were celebrating. Happy 1st Birthday to our darling nephew/cousin Alec!! We love you Big Boy!

4 Wheelin' Swimmin' & Sweetin'

The summer fun has been nonstop at our house! With cousins and friends visiting from out of town, we've hit Cherry Hills, numerous pools, splash pads and even the Sweets Candy Factory (twice). Thanks Lisa!
If you're looking for a fun, free indoor activity for the kids (think free taffy samples and chocolate covered cinnamon bears - my fave), check it out at: http://www.sweetcandy.com/
Be forewarned: you must wear hair nets and the tour guides are sticklers for the rules!!

Who says we're too young too drive?? Good thing they have another 10+ years to practice, these boys are maniacs behind the wheel!

Mr. Long Hair chillin' with some lady friends, um I think my poor child needs a haircut!

Making a SWEET (not so fashionable) "fashion statement" at the candy factory

Hold my hand girlfriend

Backyard Campout

You gotta love when daddy announces a backyard campout when it's already past bedtime, say 9 pm or so. But who's gonna complain about daddy wanting to spend some quality time with his son. Plus all bedtimes go out the window in the summertime, right?
Daddy & Son Campout in the Backyard was a success! Christian loved all the gear - his green sleeping bad and lantern - and watching the stars and planets. Troy satisfied his camping itch for awhile (or maybe his Scout camp trip did that). Now we'll have to brave the real mountains again soon (sounds so wild with Mr. Mason).