Wrapping up July

Summer has gotten busy lately so here's a quick recap of our past couple of weeks.  We had a great Pioneer Day.  Steve's previous job was headquartered in Portland, so he hasn't had the 24th off in the past, so this year when it came rolling around we didn't have any usual routine.  It ended up being a really fun day.  We went on a hike with the Browns in the morning up Mueller Park, and went to lunch with them.  Then in the evening we went swimming at the Rec center.  Jack loves that place and it was especially fun since Steve came too and could take Jack down the big slide.  Ella is a pool baby and absolutely loves swimming and splashing.  We then came home for a quick wardrobe change and lit some fireworks with our neighbors.  This is something we did last year too and it's a lot of fun.  A good, easy way to get together with neighbors. 

It was an amazing display of pyrotechnics.

Ella loved it too, and the fact that she got to stay up way past bedtime.

Jack's firework viewing seat of choice.

Two days later was Steve's 31st birthday.  We had to observe his birthday the day after since it fell on a Thursday and I was working.  We had a pretty mellow family party with just the 4 of us.  Steve had requested a doughnut cake which broke every birthday rule that Jack could think of.  He kept saying, "doughnuts are not for birthdays".  

Once we lit the candles Jack decided it was acceptable.  This little boy loves everything birthday right now, but is a horrible secret keeper.  We went shopping for Steve one day and when Steve got home in the evening he asked us what we did during the day.  Jack told him we got him a swimming suit for his birthday.  Oh well!  31 year-olds don't care too much about surprises.

Ella was fairly indifferent to the whole day.  Except the part where I gave her a bite or two of doughnut.  She loved that.  I asked Jack some questions about his dad that we read during dinner.  They were pretty funny.  I love his perspective.  A few he got right, and the rest were just cute.  He knew that dad's favorite treat is jelly beans (jelly bellys).  I asked him what dad does at work and he said, "lift boxes, color, and puter" (computer).  He's a smart little 2 year old.  Can't believe he will be 3 in just a few days!