We're going private...

Okay. We don't want to exclude any of our lovely readers (unless you're a creepy psychopath) but we're going to try this private blog thing out. If you would like to be invited, please leave a comment with your email address. Don't be shy. Comments will not be published so nobody else will see your email address but me.

If you never get an invitation, please let me know. The June Violet will remain public so you can reach me through there also.

Family Fun Day

Despite all the work that needed to get done around the house and yard, we decided yesterday would be family fun day. The fun actually started Friday night when Ben suggested we have a movie night. Amelia and I headed to the grocery store for pizza and treats and Ben set up our air mattress in the living room. We piled on the pillows and blankets and watched The Neverending Story.

Saturday we headed to Downpour Water Park for some swimming action. There were so few people there that I thought it was closed when we arrived. It was so nice to experience a water park without crowds. They had a few big slides for Ben and I to do which was fun. And of course we couldn't resist playing a round a mini golf after swimming. We had the course all to ourselves. We stopped for some dinner on the way home and a huge thunderstorm struck while we were eating. The only thing to do was order the Chocolate Tall Cake and wait out the storm. The girls loved it. Tonight we finished off the weekend with a BBQ for dinner. Just as we were about to eat, another rainstorm came through. We decided to stay outside anyway and eat huddled under the patio umbrella. Hooray for family fun day!

Carousels.

Yesterday we needed an adventure so we drove into Maryland. I often overlook Maryland, thinking that it's far away. But it's just down the road. We found a fun little farm and park only about 20 minutes away called Old Maryland Farm. There was a train and a carousel and a farm with animals and a really nice playground (minus the bees). It was so hot and humid. But we needed to get out of the house.

By the time dinner rolled around, I was exhausted. I'm pretty sure Ben could tell that getting those fajitas on the table for dinner took the last bit of energy I had for the day. So after we ate, he told me to take the night off. I left the dirty dishes and the dirty house and the dirty kids and retreated to my bed where I got to read a magazine. From start to finish. With no interruptions. I could hear the sounds of kids yelling. Elsa getting into the toilet again. Some laughing too. The sound of dishes being washed. And then I think I dozed off. When I emerged a few hours later, the house was straightened, the kids were bathed and in bed, dishes were done, and I had nothing to do with any of it. Do I have the best husband ever? Yes. I do.

Sunday evening stroll...along the freeway.

From the time we moved into our house, they have been working on the construction of a new bridge on the Interstate near our home that crosses over to Maryland. A big bridge. A 12-lane bridge. It was completed a little while ago but Ben had really been excited about the walking lane on the bridge, which was opened not too long ago. Last Sunday we all took a stroll across the bridge. The fun thing about it, other than 12 lanes of cars zooming past you, is that you start in Virginia and then walk through D.C. and then into Maryland, all on the bridge. There are markings on the bridge that tell you when you cross over. It gave me a little bit of vertigo to look down at the water, but it was a beautiful evening with a lovely sunset.


We drive on the Beltway all the time so it was fun to experience it a different way...a way with no traffic.










There were a LOT of spiders on the bridge.




Amelia really loves looking through these, although from her height, she can only see the sky.

BBQ + Friends + Wisconsin = Delicious Fun

We wanted to have a bunch of friends over for a summer BBQ and we decided a Wisconsin theme would be fun. The idea started with brats and frozen custard and then just escalated from there. When we were in Michigan, we loaded the back of our car with Sprecher Root Beer (brewed in Wisconsin) because it was much cheaper to buy it there than the few places that sell it here. (Although I'll never see my 10 cent bottle deposit again!)

My dad sent me some cow paraphernalia he had laying around his office to use for decorations and I was finally able to break out the huge inflatable cow he gave me years ago that always decorated my college apartments.






Ben cookin' up the brats and dogs.


We had about 60 people in our backyard (including 2 from Wisconsin!)








The cow pinata. Only one minor injury was incurred. The kids were quite eager to beat that poor cow.


Amelia takes a swing at it.


How many kids can you fit in a sandbox?

The Desserts:

Cupcakes and sugar cookies.




Yes, those are cow shaped sprinkles.


And yes, they do sell a cookie cutter in the shape of Wisconsin.


Authentic Wisconsin frozen custard from the Dairy Godmother.


Cow tales.

How cool is my family?

We were really disappointed that we missed the Bronson Family Reunion by just a few days when we were out in Utah. This is an annual tradition that is not your average reunion. There is a crazy theme every year with wild activities and everyone sleeps over in my Grandma's backyard. This year was a "Redneck Reunion" theme and it sounded like good times were had by all. I had to post a few pictures of the madness.


Sliding into the pond.


Being pulled across the pond by a 4-wheeler....very fast.


Mud volleyball. I really can't believe I missed this.


Horseback riding.

On the farm.

We finished off our trip to Utah with some time on my Grandma's farm.


My sister Jenny and her kids brought their dog over and Amelia and Elsa had fun playing with her. Dan and Rachel and James were also able to spend the evening with us, as well as my mom.




James and Elsa were constantly on the move.






Ben fishing at the pond with Graysen.

On our last day we headed over to Logan and had a picnic at the Willow Park Zoo.


We were able to see Jenny's new house. Amelia had fun hanging out with Graysen and Naomi, although poor Naomi wasn't feeling well. But she did manage to paint Amelia's toenails which Amelia was VERY excited about.


Graysen showed us their chickens and the girls had fun attempting to pet them.








We enjoyed a nice stroll along this canal trail that runs right behind their house and then we all enjoyed burgers and raspberry shakes at LaBeau's. As usual, we didn't have nearly enough time to visit all of our friends and family but hopefully we'll catch some of you next time.

On our way to the airport, we stopped at Smith and Edwards to load up on candy for the flight. When we pulled up, Amelia said "what IS this place?" which is a valid question if you've ever been to Smith and Edwards. Both the girls were in awe as we walked around the store. Elsa loved all the various animal heads mounted everywhere and the big bear and the plastic horse. Amelia kept saying "this place is amazing...they have everything here!"