2nd Annual Summer Bash

Things to know about my kids:

• They're a little nuts
• They have wildly creative and interesting minds
• And they LOVE getting together with their cousins

Since moving farther away from "the cousins," they've been hounding us and hounding us to please go and visit so they could hold their "Summer Bash."  Apparently, last year started a tradition of having Bashes every time we get together.  Last year was the 1st Annual Summer Bash, there was a Fall Bash when they came to visit over Labor Day weekend for Jane's baptism, and there was a Winter Bash when we headed over to their house for Christmas vacation.  Oh!  And of course, I can't forget about the Spring Bash that they held when we stopped at their house for Easter weekend on our way back from our spring break house hunting trip.  

The Bash includes a kooky initiation ceremony at the start, as well as a de-initiation ceremony at the end.  The ceremonies involve capes, candles, and a certain song, along with the complete exclusion of Alex and Jane (much to their dismay).  Hahahaha.  To kick off THIS summer's Bash, Ethan whipped up some flyers for the occasion, and as soon as we walked in the door last week, they immediately started initiation so that no time was wasted on our 5 day trip.  ;)  In addition to bashing all week long, we enjoyed our 4th of July holiday with fun at the marina, lots of games, and an added bonus of Holiday World for the the majority of the kids on our last day in town.

 (That hair, though.)

 (That face, though.  Hahahaha.)

 4th of July fun!

 Cheerleading stunts at the marina.

 Sparkler fun!

There were only 2 real lowlights while we were there -- 1.) the HEAT and HUMIDITY (it was seriously the worst), and 2.) an unfortunate incident involving the kids and dads on a boat in the middle of a thunderstorm (that was ACTUALLY the worst for Alex -- who is already terrified of thunderstorms from the comfort of his own home).  Thankfully, everyone was safe and even though it may have traumatized Alex just a teensy, tiny bit, it was hardly a blip on the radar of fun for the rest of the week. 

 The calm before the storm...

 Storms clouds a-brewing... 😟

 And parked under a bridge while the storm raged on.

 Jonah was having the time of his life!

Meanwhile, poor Alex was so terrified.

(Recovering at home.) 

We were all sad to leave when Saturday rolled around, but at least the kids have already made plans for a Fall Bash at Thanksgiving, when hopefully the cousins will be able to come and visit us in our new home!  :)

 (A trampoline park was also visited.)

 (As was a children's museum.  This rolling ball set-up mesmerized Isaac for a good 30 minutes.)

 After the boat incident, Alex was too worried about the weather forecast to accompany the other kids to Holiday World.  So while Scott and Kristin braved the water/amusement park, I hung with Alex and Isaac all day long.

 Holiday World!  (Ironically, even though there was chance of storms predicted, it ended up being a PERFECT day at the park and they didn't get home until 11 o'clock at night.  Alex was not so happy about that part.)

* Congratulations for enduring to the end of so many pictures.  ;)

(just kidding -- there's one more picture.  hahaha.  while at the cousins' i finally got around to creating our family theme poster for 2017-2018.  just in time for us to switch over to a new one for the new year.  hahaha.