Winding Down

We have had a busy August!

Having ice cream and watching the ducks at the Memorial Union.....

Crossing the Wisconsin River on the Merrimac Ferry....
Going to the State Fair......Celebrating Dora's birthday........

Going to another Brewer's game..........

Going to the Henry Vilas Zoo and on a picnic - this duck sat by RyAnne begging the ENTIRE time......

Fishing.....the kids preferred to, "Go fast!"

and now it is all winding down. RyAnne brought her supplies in to school and met her teacher and Dad is already back doing inservices and had 6th grade orientation. It is sad another summer has gone by - however, the kids (and Dad) are ready to get back into a routine. If only the weather would always stay this nice AUGHHHHHH!

RyAnne's First Sleep-over

RyAnne was invited to a friend's house for her first sleep-over. Mom was a little hesitant at first, however, after talking with Dad and Grandma about it - who both said, "She will be just fine!" And then asking RyAnne about sleeping away from home - who shouted, "Yes! Yes!" and was jumping up and down in excitement. She agreed. Here are some of the pictures they sent to us of the fun!

RyAnne, her friend Grace, and Grace's Dad goofing around!

What sleep-over doesn't have a pillow fight!

The girls swimming.

RyAnne, Anna, Grace, and Hayden - all ready for bed!

Goodnight! Grace's parents put up a tent in the living room - it was so cool! Notice RyAnne in this picture - sulking. Yes, Mom was right, she got a little homesick and said she, "Missed her Mommy!" She called home and after a little pep-talk was fine. She was all smiles when we picked her up the next day and said she had a lot of fun!

Why Is Dakota Smiling?

Dakota went in for his hydrocele surgery on Tuesday, July 27th. Dad, Mom and Dakota were up at the hospital at 6:45 a.m. Around 7:00 a.m. they called him in for his pre-op......

.....and here he is all ready to go. The Urologist came in to talk to us and Dad told her how the lump has really gone down in size, however, at his pre-operation physical Dakota's pediatrician said that he thought we should still go ahead with the surgery. The Urologist took a look - and looked at us - and said she doesn't think we should operate and sent us home!

That is why this boy is smiling (and behind the camera his Dad and Mom are smiling too:-)!)

Rock County Fair

The last two years we have been taking the kids to the Rock County Fair in Janesville. One reason is to see the kids' cousins who farm in Evansville and show their cows. It also brings back memories for Dad (who grew up in Evansville). We missed seeing our cousins this year, but still enjoyed some farm action!

Then, the kids favorite, playing in corn! Oh my gosh, they were SO dusty when they were finished.

RyAnne saw this man teaching others how to lasso and just had to get in the action.

And, as always, the food!

Rock Painting

Mom and RyAnne have a new hobby - painting rocks! We got into it after Grandma Carter bought RyAnne a rock painting book. Then Dad got some new rocks in the pool area and we found many smooth, flat, oval and round rocks - perfect for painting!

Here are some rocks she painted for Grandpa and Grandma. A bat and ball for Grandpa who loves baseball and is an umpire. Also, a flower for Grandma because she loves flowers and taking care of her flower garden.

Mom painted the family.

Mom repainted this 'Welcome to the Franklins' rock. RyAnne found a heart shaped rock and painted another flower.

Water Bugs

The last few weeks have been HOT! To cool off, the kids have spent a lot of time doing water activities!

Sprinklers! We have 6 to choose from - but this one is their favorite! It's sprinkler hopscotch and when you step on a square it squirts real high!

RyAnne has made huge strides in the pool! She can swim, go down the slide, do flips, and jump and dive off the diving board with no floaties. She begs us to swim EVERYDAY and - for the most part - we do!

As for Zachary - CANNONBALL!

Dane County Fair

We took the kids to the Dane County Fair this weekend.

We saw the cows, chickens, pigs, horses, bunnies, and the kids favorite goats! Above is a picture of them petting a baby goat AWWWWW!

Corn dogs and cheese curds of course!

It was dollar days so the kids had fun riding on tons of rides!

Dakota was in heaven - semis, cars, and motorcycles! He is such a boy!

RyAnne enjoyed some smaller rides with the twins and then hit the bigger rides.

Yes, Dad and Mom rode some too!

6th Birthday Luau!

The invite....

The birthday girl...

The friends ready for the luau....

swimming

making shell braceletes

opening presents

yummy cake

A great birthday luau!

BEES!!!!

Dakota and Bailey were playing 'follow the leader' so nicely outside when all of a sudden Bailey let out a deafening scream and yelled, "BEES!" I looked and saw her in one of their play structures surrounded by bees and one her leg that she was desperately trying to get off. Mommy ran to get her out of the play structure and away from the bees. Dakota was behind her and also screaming, however, he was climbing down the stairs to get away. Mom could not grab him too - but she knew Dad was close behind. When she turned around to look at Dakota he was standing in the middle of our play area (about 10 feet from the play structure) with a bee on his leg! Daddy grabbed him and we took them inside to find out they both got stung twice on the leg. We put ice on their legs and checked for stingers (there was none thank goodness). Mommy put a paste of baking soda and water on the stings and then a Dora bandaid for Bailey and a Spiderman bandaid for Dakota.

Here they are relaxing on the couch talking about the mean bees that chased them and stung them.

Daddy went outside to check things out and found out they had made hives in the poles. He got his spray out and killed around 20 - 30 bees and 3 hives!

Cabin Fever

We have not gone up to Grandpa and Grandma's cottage in Briggsville at all yet this summer because RyAnne has been sick. However, she begged us to go up there this 4th of July weekend because she knew her two friends (the grandchildren of the neighbors) were going to be there. We caved as long as she promised us that she would take it easy.

Take it easy? Okay, so we caved and let her go tubing - in the sit down you don't get wet in tube because everyone else was "doing it". SHe had a blast!

Yummmmm smores!

Messy smores!

We couldn't miss the annual Lake Mason boat parade. Yes, about 20 boats all decked out in their 4th of July gear parading around the lake blowing their horns and blasting music! Above is a picture of RyAnne watching it with her two friends.

Dad teaching Dakota and Bailey the proper parade wave!

On Saturday, July 3rd, we went out on the pier to watch the fireworks show - which this year could be seen in two directions. The twins were inside sleeping with Grandpa and Grandma and in not too long RyAnne asked to go inside too. She was too tired to even watch the fireworks!

This picture was taken back at home on the 4th. Too much excitement (and the forecast for rain) sent us back to Madison for a nice relaxing "early" 4th of July at home.