It begins...

Jake is officially starting football!  He has his uniform (except for the jersey as that has to be ordered after teams are made...) and had his evaluation this past week.  They do this in order to make teams that have equal talent.  So, even though we don't know officially how he did, Chris said that he had a great evaluation.  Here are the first pictures of what will be an exciting (and long!) football season.

Getting the shirt tucked in and pants tight.

Helmet and chin strap secure.

 Almost ready!

 Tough guy!

 This is how Jake looked according to Olivia's vantage point! :)  She must miss out on a lot!

Y-town

The kids and I made a very quick trip with my parents and my sister and the girls to Y-town...  better known as Youngstown, Ohio where my step-dad is from and where his family still lives.  This was the first trip for my kids out there and my first trip there in many years.  Olivia was a year old and Jake was 6 when we last saw Grandma Betty so it was important to make the trip.  The trip was long but the kids traveled soooooo well.  Overall, the trip was too short, but it was great to see everyone.  Here are some pictures of our visit.

 On the road!

Olivia and Gram Betty

The Indiana great-grand kids!

Gram Betty with the Lawson's

Olivia enjoying Gram's apartment.

Cousins meeting for the first time.

 Some of Grams grand kids. 

 

Beth and I with our cousin Amy.

While visiting we also enjoyed eating out.  Here are some fun (or funny) pictures from those adventures...

Olivia showing off her talent--crossing her eyes!

Emily with her HUGE bowl of pasta!

Olivia imitating Emily eating... she had a tiny cup of soup though...

 Can't pass one of these without a picture!

Mardi Gras masks from Gram Betty!

Wish we could have visited longer!!  It was a great trip though and wonderful to see the Y-town Family.

Happy 4th of July!

This year we went to the Brownsburg 4th festival on Friday evening.  We had a great time riding a few rides and just being together.

On the 4th, we went to the Bielefeld's for a cook-out.  Then we went to Westfield Rock's the 4th!  It was EXTREMELY hot, but we had a good time...

Olivia eating corn-on-the-cob!

 Olivia in the bounce house... someone bumped into her...  (Miss DRAMA!!)

Staying cool...

After the snow cones... and rocking out to the bands...

 

Having fun...

The Bielefeld's.

So, after Westfield we went home for awhile and then went to the fireworks at home. 

 

And finally, the entertainment of the evening...  Olivia modeling! (Note: there were over double more pictures from this modeling show that I didn't put on here!)

Well, it was a fun and busy day.  Everyone slept very well last night for sure!

Things we do...

We went to the zoo...

and we went for a fun dinner....

Just some of our summer fun!