Summer fun!

We had so much fun at various water parks over the summer.   We normally spend a lot of time at the local lakes, however the weather wasn't too accomidating this year, but we managed to fit some fun in!  We even went to two new places.  We went to the wading pool at Roseville, and the Rush City water park where Leah got to go down the water slide all by herself and LOVED it!  Arika and I went down a couple of times together, it was fun and fast.  I think next year when Arika will be tall enough to go alone we will be spending a lot more time up there!

                                       Wading Pool at Roseville.

                                            Rush City Pool.
                             

                                  Arika off the kiddie slide! Weee!

My little swimmer!

                                The face of summer! Just chillin'!

                                  Fun with Friends at the pool!
                            

Cute AJ, with all his girls in the back!

                                            Sisters Swimmin'!

                                                 Refreshing!

                                             Noodle War!

                                         Ready.... Aim!

                                           Heather off the slide!

Swimmin' with friends!

                                 Beach Towel Bingo?  What a cutie!

                                              Arika Dancing.

Ella's Day Over

Friend Ella came over to play. Soon it was decided that Leah's best stuffed buddy, Wooly the Lamb, needed armor and hence, these pictures.

                                           Working diligently.

                                              Wooly in armor.

Wooly with a sword.

The Fourth

Fourth of July is a major event at our house.  It usually involves us going up to the Crow Wing River with the Hoppe family for a day or two.  We camp, we swim in the river, we sing David Allen Coe.  It's a blast.  We always go to our local parade here in Forest Lake which is just great!  It's so nice to see our community come together for this patriotic event.  This year for the first time we also went to the carnival and rode on some rides.  After we rest a spell at home, we then head to the lake to swim, and play, 'til the fireworks start over the lake. It's a great family tradition filled with friends and fun!

Me and my 4th of July breakfast.

Girls ready for the parade!

The flyover starts the parade!

Waiving at princesses.

Clowning around with BFF Haley!

The Gang 2010 : Melissa, Haley, Arika, Leah, Jodi, Matthew, Keith, and Daddy.

U - S- A!

Arika shaking hands with a WWII veteran.

Mommy and Arika

Good friends Jodi and Matthew.

Arika Dancing, this is how she spent most of the parade.

Dancin' Daddy!

Mom and Pop at the carnival.

Woo hoo!  The girls' first roller coaster ride!

Yee Haw!

Racin'!

Hi Mom!

Arika down the slide.

Leah down the slide.

Cute Arika waving on the Roller Coaster.

Cutie car racers!

At the fireworks!