Como Town

The boys and I headed to Como Zoo to spend the day today. I even got an unlimited ride band so I rode all day with the boys - it was a blast! Carter took on all of the big rides, and loved them...until we came to the Tilt-a-Whirl. It was the first time I've had to hold up a hand to stop a ride - he was green by the time we got him off. He recovered quickly and it was off to the next ride! Kids!!! He is definitely slower paced than Ryan, who is our little thrill seeker. The faster, the scarier, the better with Ryan - he recently told me he wanted to be a stunt man when he grows up - can you think of a profession more fitting for him??? Today was a gorgeous, sunny day in the 80s - couldn't have asked for better weather or a better day!!!!




I laughed when I downloaded this photo - they look like they are trying to be a couple of bad asses with their shades and serious expressions!!!!

Always a favorite...the Frog Hopper!

Hi, Mom!!

Typical Ryan fashion - turned around backwards on the swings:

Screaming Dragon Rollercoaster

Perspective

We looked at this as a box ready to head to the recycling. The boys looked at it as an opportunity for a fort. They played in the box for almost an hour in the driveway tonight. Who needs toys when you have a box?

Typical Night at the Mackeys

Just another night and another dart gun fight around here:

Yard

I love, love, love this time of year with the flowers blooming and the amazing colors. Here are a few of my favorite things around my yard this summer:

My front yard pond:

One of my back patio pots:

Day lilies:

Love this splash of color!!!

My double petunia hanging basket - this is the best year I have ever had for my potted plants!

A rose on the rosebush Kyle gave me several years ago for Mother's Day:

Purple pot by my pond:

Lilypads:

Fish had to get in the shot!

What is your favorite time of year???

Jewelry

I had very limited time to work on jewelry this weekend, so I had to defer a few of my orders to another weekend. I had an opportunity to try a few new things again this weekend - I love it!

Necklace for the boys' new daycare Mom, Kathy - her birthday is this weekend:

Bracelet with names, college names, and college colors:

Brushed finish with a neutral stone - very simple, I love this style:

Fruit Pizza

Looks good enough to eat, doesn't it? I tried out a new fruit pizza recipe for Book Club this month. I liked it, but would like to try a different crust next time. At least it looked pretty, though! :)

Lakes Beach

The boys and I put on our backpacks, jumped on the bikes and headed over to the Lakes Beach to spend the day. Initially we were intending to stay only a couple of hours, but we ended up spending the entire day there. The boys had a blast! It was a great day for the beach - nearly 90* and not a cloud in the sky! What a great facility to have close by!!!! :)

Carter at the splash pad:



Boys out swimming:

Is this the same child that cried getting his face wet in swimming lessons just a few months ago? That fear is gone - look at him go! :)

Instead of swimming under the rope, you just lift it up every time you need to go in or out!

Clearly they didn't have any fun at all at the beach!

Run, run, run - I wish I had a pedometer on Carter on a day like today!

I love that giggle of Carter's!

Carter dug for literally hours in the sand on the beach:

Seagulls made us feel like we were at the ocean!