No Manners Dinner aka big messy food fight

I think we are on our 5th annual no manners dinner.  This time I got smart and took it out side. We left our pleases, thank yous, dishes, etc inside.  They (not me) belched, farted, binged, chucked, smeared and acted like barbarians until I hosed them all off at the end.  Rocky asked if he could talk about his favorite body part during the meal.  I hope they got it out of their systems. It is a great reminder that yes, my kids do have manners.  Next time they are sans manners, I will kindly remind them the save it for the next no manners dinner.

Summer Lovin Part 1

Run or Dye came to Hartford.  I went down with some girl friends to run it.  Cooper surprised me at the start and joined me in his flip flops.  We were very colorful at the end.  Crazy thing, the dye came from Utah in my 84106 zip code!

Some of my favorite shots from our walk in West Hartford.  I love this nutty bunch!

My children really get into their food.  Rice Chrispy treats have so many uses.

 We love our little Forest Park Zoo.  Dr. Suess's father was the zoo keeper here.  Many of his drawing were based off the animals he learned to love in this zoo.  You can see just how loveable this llama was.  She started by whispering sweet, slobbery nothings in my ear, tried to kiss Ruby (She has a thing with kissing animals), and finally the llama sneezed all over her.  We laughed until we cried after that.

 Love the hurricane machine at the zoo.

These are just a few of the hundreds of crazy selfies I found on my camera.  I love this face!

 July 24 is never a fun day to live away from Utah.  I had no clue that Utah was the only state to celebrate Pioneer Day (DUH) until I lived in other states.  It is hard not to get homesick.  I picture the fireworks, races, bbq's, the parade.  I was never a fan of salt water taffy until it wasn't all over the place.  I always saw it as the crappy cheep candy that people threw off floats at the parade.  I really started craving it this year realizing that I would not be having any.  I posted something on facebook about how I wished someone would throw some at me.  My dear friend picked me up some in Maine and threw handfuls at meon my front porch.  A couple weeks later, a sacred package came from Grandma Gus full of Sweets Salt Water Taffy!  I almost cried.  I love that stuff now!  I had to wear my bonnet just to freak my kids out a little that day.  I told them I would wear it to the store if they weren't kind to each other.

More shots of us playing with our food. I am realizing it happens more often than not.

 Lots of water play.

 Rocky loves to pluck my leg hairs.  He asked if he could help me with my eyebrows.  I declined.

 KerPLOP! 

 Strep in the summer stinks.  I did love my cuddle time with my pup, I have to admit. 

 Movies on the garage, one of our favorite traditions.

 Tye dye at the library.

 Cooper's British Soccer Coach.

More Purple Potty.

Grandma Retta

Grandma Retta came to visit us all the way from Salt Lake!  Retta is a dear friend of mine that I have know since I was five.  Her kids were my age and she was involved with my youth group at church.  It was though her son, Chris, that Matt and I hooked up.  Retta is one of a kind.  She is the perfect combination of love, kindness, patience, crazy, fun, and pure JOY.  She is truly a ray of sunshine to anyone she is around.  When I grow up, I want to be like her.  When my mom passed away, Retta took me under her wing even further than I already had been.  When my kids were born she became Grandma Retta.  She has always loved my kids as though they were hers.  When Ruby was born she told us that she would give us movie tickets if she and her awesome husband "ICK" could tend her.  When we lived in Salt Lake, she was so helpful with our family, I can't even begin to express my gratitude.  She never forgets a holiday, throws the best parties (she even sends us parties in a box), and checks up on us.  She visited us twice in Indiana and now here in Massachusetts.  We are so lucky.  I know my mom is so thankful to Retta for taking such good care of us.  We love her dearly!  We had a jam packed 4 days while she was here.  2 movies (movies are the best with Grandma Retta, she has THE best laugh!), celebrated her birthday, went to 6 Flags, Yankee Candle, Springfield Museums, Lighthouse beach, ate lots of yummy food, and laughed until our sides hurt.  We love you Grandma Retta!  Thanks for all you do for us!!  Can't wait until you come back!