Carter's New Hat

or the sandbox bucket...whatever works!!!

PJs

Is there anything more irresistable than clean kiddos after a bath? I could just squeeze them when they are in their PJs. Today was SO hot (93* plus high humidity) and we played outside with water again. They were soaked and grass covered when we came in. They needed their bath tonight (as they do most summer nights). I love their giggles when we are getting ready for bed...

Giggleboxes!

Ryan had to try this pose...I have no idea why?!?!

Lowry Bridge Blast

Evan had a very memorable Father's Day today with the Lowry Bridge Implosion project. He was onsite at 6:30 a.m. for construction briefings with the blasting crew. Dad, Kyle, and I watched from American Iron's dock and had an amazing view of the bridge. Evan, my Mom, Carter, and Ryan were near the Command Center and saw the demolition from the end of the bridge (as close as you could legally be from blast site). It was amazing and I am so proud of Evan and all the hard work he put in on this project and thrilled we could be there for the blast itself! Great job to all of those involved to make today's blast a success!














My Home Video of Implosion from American Iron Dock:



View from front of Lowry Bridge prior to Implosion:














Looking towards the Command Center from Lowry Bridge:














Pre-Blast Briefing:














Side view of Lowry Bridge:














Police car enforcing 1,000' perimeter:














My Dad and Kyle heading to American Iron dock:














View prior to Implosion:














Media helicopter:

Onlookers upriver:














Viewers on American Iron dock:

Sheriff's Boat enforcing 1,000' perimeter in water:

Barge/onlookers downriver:

Up close prior to blast:

Implosion, a picture perfect drop:

Individual spans in water after implosion:

Crew in boat inspecting span after implosion:

Cleanup begins...

Bolander crane starting removal process:

Another sheriff's boat:

View from about 10' out, looking much different than an hour earlier:

Shrapnel hit this building in a couple of spots:

My Dad and Carter at end of bridge after implosion:

Bolander crew begins rigging/removal process:

Link to KSTP's news story: Lowry Bridge Implosion

Link to Kare 11's news story: Lowry Bridge Implosion

Link to WCCO's news story: Lowry Bridge Implosion

Link to Fox 9's news story: Lowry Bridge Implosion

S'mores

We had a BBQ/Bonfire tonight with former neighbors as well as current neighbors. I wanted to get a shot of the kids since we try to get together on a regular basis. It will be fun to see how much they change by the next set of pictures! The kids played hard in the sandbox, and the proof was in the filthy bathtub tonight!!!! Poor Lily was outnumbered 5:1 boy to girl ratio, but that didn't slow her down a bit!!!

Slip and Slide

The boys pulled out the slip and slide this afternoon and played (in the freezing cold water) for hours. Well, until I literally had a mudhole in the freshly black-dirt/patch repair/seeded spot in my lawn. It saw enough water today, that is for sure. We'll see what happens to it after this! Regardless, the boys had a blast. Up and down, up and down, timed routes, etc. All fair game in the Mackey yard!

Not just for cat litter anymore...

What a clown! We use this bucket for squirt gun and water toy fights. Carter has adopted it as his personal bathtub of sorts. He struggles to get his body down in there and has to dive to get out of it, but for whatever reason, loves it. Made me laugh, so I had to get a shot of it!