Hynes Family: Summer 2013 Wrap-up

After our amazing vacation to California, there wasn't much left of Summer Break, but we made the most of it.

We always have so much fun when cousin Lilly comes over for a slumber party and this time was no different. What started out as a trip to a neighborhood pool turned into quite the party as National Night Out got underway. The kids had pizza, swam, played in the dunk tank, and explored the fire truck. Nice.

I couldn't resist a picture of cousin snuggle-time.

Mike was training for another marathon, and this one is all down-hill. So, early Saturday mornings, we would play at Camelsback Park waiting to meet him at the base of the mountain after his 20 mile run down, and then drive him back to the top to pick up his truck. It was so fun to play at a new park, but even more fun to watch Dad accomplish something so amazing, and then be there to support him.

We even fit in a visit to a local reservoir to play in the water. I love Archie's perfectly round head in this shot!

Archie got a hold of Elliott's "Steve" head from the video game, Minecraft. Elliott made it at a birthday party. Fun.

We stayed up late one night and drove out to the boondocks to see a meteor shower. I loved this night. On the drive there and back, Mike and I told stories from our childhoods and the kids just ate them up. When I was little, my parents took me out to see Haley's Comet, and I never really saw it, so we made sure the kids each saw at least one meteor, then we headed back. It was a special little adventure.

When Archie gets truly upset, he covers his face with his hands and cries....or in this case, a book.

Then, it was off to the State Fair!!

This summer, I tried something new: a Bored Jar. Every day, the kids could pick an popsicle stick from the jar that had some activity on it. Some were FUN, and some were...less fun. Here's what we did:

Make your own story book.