just keep swimming.

After the zoo we decided to fill up our little kiddie pool so the kids could escape the heat.  This thing is the best garage sale find ever.  We have used it every single summer and our kids still aren't sick of it.

The camera adds a few pounds... and double chin....

Turns out you are never too old to ride a John Deere tractor!

Our new watering can was a big hit.

After some technical difficulties... we managed to get our sprinkler set up as well...

Did you know she's a supermodel?

the zoo.

Millie and Maddie love animals so we decided to take them to the zoo.  It was the perfect day.  Overcast but not cold.  I still managed to get a sunburn but it was worth it.  

Gracie and Maddie are three days apart and could be twins.  They were pretty inseparable the entire weekend.

We got there just in time to see the elephant crossing!  They were up close and personal with us.  It was fantastic.

Watching the elephants cross from one side of their land to the other...

This is the first time Peter has really been aware of the animals at the zoo.  He was fascinated when they would move around.

Looking at the meerkats.... in a cave.

Gracie took this picture for Daddy.  It's an elephant molar!  She thought it was disgusting!

A little after we arrived our buddies joined us.  Jayne was so happy that Evie was there to keep her company!

Lincoln and Graham held hands whenever they could.  It was so cute.

Graham made up this awesome lullaby and sang it to the lion...

All the silly boys.  Waiting for the girls to get done using the restroom.

There is this tree house that you can climb and play in.  I decided to let Peter cross the wobbly bridge all by himself.  He wasn't so sure about it!

All the kids!  Some were more pleased to take pictures than others...

Kangaroo ears!

Somebody is ready for a nap!  I love it when people try and be helpful or think they are funny by saying things like, "Doesn't he know he's not allowed to cry at the zoo?!  The zoo is a happy place!"

There was this mini parade for kids that have been adopted from outside of the country while we were there.  We loved the Chinese dragon.  Sometime during or after the parade Graham got separated from us and we didn't notice until several minutes had gone by.  I ran around like a crazy person trying to find him... finally found a zookeeper and she sent out a lost child signal to all the other workers.  After lots of tears and minutes that felt more like hours... we found him!  We both cried and hugged each other tight.  Scariest moment of my life.

Right after we found our Graham we went to the zoo show.  So boring... yet we go every time.  I don't know why we keep doing that to ourselves.

We made Maddie go on stage even though they didn't pick her so she could hold an animal...  She's the darling girl in the pink shirt and tan hat.

Waving good-bye to her family in case it's the last time she sees them...

And holding the SNAKE!

She was a pretty happy little Miss.  She said it was "so heavy!"

Somebody finally gave up and fell asleep!

After the bird show we decided we had had our fill and headed home.  It was a pretty fun day at the zoo!

family.

Our Cooley cousins came to visit us for Memorial Day weekend.  It's the second visit from them this year!  We are so lucky that they live on our side of the continent.  We had so much fun playing, talking, and laughing with them.  We played Disney Cranium with them on Sunday afternoon.  Lincoln and I loved it the most.  

our hero.

 In case you couldn't understand the video.... our neighbors kitchen caught on fire and Jeremy put it out!  It was pretty scary... the firefighters said if it had a few minutes later, it could have been much worse.  Luckily Jeremy was a hero and saved the day!

girls night!

I was supposed to go on a date with Jeremy on Saturday night... but was ambushed by his endo buddies who wanted to take him to dinner to celebrate being almost done.  Boo.  I decided that we should go out as girls instead!  We called our best friends and headed out for a night on the town.  

 We ended up going to Olive Garden so the girls could dine on noodles and breadsticks.  Their favorite.  They were so cute waiting for our table.  They held on to our little disk waiting for it to light up.  Jayne was pretty tired and a little grumpy because she was so thirsty and hungry.

 Once she guzzled an entire cup of chocolate milk in about a minute she was all smiles and laughter.

 Gracie and her bff chowing down on their favorite foods.

 After that we went to the mall and got some fun pictures taken together.  It was really fun to squeeze into such a tight space with all of our girlies.

Then we took them to this awesome store called Glitter.   They sell tons of blinged out jewelry for $1.  We let each of them pick out a few things.  They were in heaven!  I love Jayne's super ring.

 Gracie got this awesome necklace...

 Gracie and Eve and all their fanciness....

I love hanging out with my girls.  When we picked up the boys, they immediately started planning their boys night out.  Can't wait!

a special day.

Our favorite friend, Brooklynn, was baptized last Saturday!  It was so much fun to be there for her special day.  She asked our family to sing "I am a Child of God".  It was quite comical to say the least.   We weren't able to practice until a few minutes before heading out the door.  Jayne decided to sing with her silly voice.  We tried... hopefully the spirit was still felt.  

 My girls are in love with their 'Brookie!'  We are so lucky to have her in our home after school whenever we can!