It's hot, what to do?

We are in our last week of break. Despite the 100+ degrees we are bound and determined to end with a bang! How to avoid crowds and lines at the zoo? Go in the summer!
We kept cool in the splash pad, with treats and shade.
It was great fun!
Liah loved the Rhino!
Our girls can relate with these animals, they are pretty much monkeys! :)

Maia loved Sheena the elephant!

Hey goat!
The petting zoo (or mauling zoo in Maia's case) was fun!
We were the ONLY people in the place!

There was a new baby zebra! He is 3 weeks old. He has a new baby cousin/brother who is 2 weeks old. You see his Daddy met up with the zebra sisters! SCANDAL! :)
Maia was so beat she passed out!
However, sweet treats woke her back up!
Mom and Dad?! Nope her new boyfriend!
Splash pad fun!

Ahh and time to go home. We were a bit sad!

The next day we took on the park. Again, who cares about the heat. We found ways to stay cool!
Here's to more fun!

Gaga sprung Gapa... bring on the fun!

Gapa got out of the hospital today! Yeah! This calls for a party! (It doubled as Dad's birthday!)
First, I needed a "coffee" to get things started!

Aunt Manda took care of dessert... homemade ice cream sandwiches!
Mom made too much food and took pictures!
The men were on meat and grill patrol!
Gaga's mission... retrieve Gapa!
The food was awesome... Yes Eugene you can marinade, big stinkin deal!

Mom and the camera timer, woman's a loon!
The meal was so yummy, some people needed a nap.... this was his first mistake! :)
Gapa played dress-ups!
The ice cream sandwiches rocked!
Gaga and Maia wrestled!

Dad and Mom... how sweet!
Eugene and Aunt Manda....how sweet!
Mom and the camera timer hard at work for a couples picture. This one was a bust... Mom is squeezing out Dad with her big dome!
This is the keeper!? Yikes!
It was such a fun day! We are so glad Gapa is home! We love you family! xo- G girls

Happy 4th of July!

The 4th of July has traditionally been a day of crazy partying most of my life. However, this year was a bit different. Even since moving from party headquarters... 22889 Cedar Point Rd. in Ohio, we have kept the tradition alive. This year we had a string of bad luck, it spans the country, Ohioans weren't having a blowout either! My Dad was in the hospital for the 4th with colitis. We still wore our red, white and blue... but put the party on hold!
Maia was creating early fireworks! :)


We decided to make the best of a family day. We went out to eat and to the mall! (I never knew the mall was open on the 4th... isn't everyone swimming, eating, singing, dancing, volleyballing, drinking, fireworking on the 4th!!??..... reality check= NO!)

After we got home we waited for fireworks!
Yep, we turned off all the lights and watched them on t.v.! It was great! The green carpet doubled as grass without the bugs. It was temp controlled and the girls ooohed and ahhhed like crazy!
Boy do I love this man for jumping right in with all of his crazy wife's suggestions!
Maia had her own elevator party.... every ride she weeeeeed!

Fun with Grammy and Grampy

We went, a day early, to celebrate the 4th with Grammy and Grampy at their NEW house! They officially sold the Ohio home and are here... for good!
We missed the golf cart parade, but got a chance to check them out parked grill-side!
Grammy and Grampy live in a retirement/ active adult community in Sun City West. That translates to "we are outsiders!" Grammy and Grampy really really love us and think we are too cute... however, we are not sure everyone would feel the same!
Above, Maia is plotting a scheme to ransack the golfers and steal their "bas, bas" (translated balls!)! I on the other hand am simply mesmerized with the lot of rolling green grass. Mom is trying to contain us... "rude to run on that grass!??" "WHAT? Grass is for running on Mom, duh!"
Grammy came to lend a hand and a "cheese" for the camera.
After a yummy lunch I rode in style to the car. Meme enjoyed pushing me while Pap watched!

Back at the house we enjoyed the open space (Grampy is still containing Grammy's furniture buying!)! I loved the breakables!
Maia loved the boxes!?
We had such a great time. We snoozed on the long ride home!
We love you Grammy and Grampy!
xo- The girls

Transformation complete...

I said I was spending last week while Chris was at camp "transforming!" Nothing major, just a little surprise for my love when he came home! :)
Chopped (It was so hard, but had to be done!)
hairdo.... then color
These were my results.
I topped it off with a few new outfits!
I am glad I did it and my Hubby seems to approve too... we all win!

**The flu still is pestering the family.... anniversary and birthday "re-do" plans are still on hold!