memorial day 2011

We decided that it's easiest if we just hang out in our own back yard for the holiday.  We started in the pool, of course, then had some slip 'n slide fun. 

 Here's the set up:

 See Darren flying here?

 After hot dogs and watermelon, we had a water balloon fight.  I filled them the night before. 

And more slip 'n slide fun. 

 We tried to get the kids to do the limbo and hula hoop, but they were more into jumping through the hoop into the pool.  That was Dylan's favorite part. 

 and maybe Steven's too. 

 Ice cream sandwiches and italian ice finished us off. 

 The kids were done. 

Nap time!  Then I had a photo session on Indian Rocks Beach and Steven took the kids to Gator's for dinner. 

slip 'n slide!!!

I waited to get out the slip n slide 'til I had enough energy - not to slide myself, but for the clean up and hastle of it all.  It wasn't a big deal at all, I didn't even have to make any rules for the kids.  I've been feeling so good since the first trimester is behind me.  I'm ready to nest, but not fully until I find out if I'm having a girl or a boy.  I can't wait to find out - that's why I'm staying up blogging!  I can't sleep.  I find out at 9am. 

k, back to the slip n slide.  My friend Liz and her baby came over, so we got out the slip 'n slide.  The kids LOVED it! 

 This is a horrible picture, but you can see the action:) 

 Malia does everything w/ craziness.  She quickly learned that she could not just slide, but slide and twist and go crazy.  Noah and Isaac stayed pretty mellow on it, but still were less fearless than I thought they'd be. 

 Obviously we went swimming next even though the pool cooled down to just under 80 degrees.  By "we" I mean the 3 older kids.  Isaac has been since, but Malia, Dylan, and Noah really really swam.  I love Malia and Dylan's races accross the pool. 

 Here's a new reason to get out my camera:)  Hi baby Peyton!

 He stayed in the shade - a big beach umbrella we poked into our lawn.  We're looking into some permanent shade. . .

 We cooked turkey hot dogs on the grill.  I'm loving summer time! 

 Then the kids stayed under that umbrella in our yard to eat popsicles (it was a hot hot hot day), then they stayed to play with chalk, etc.  Then they used the shade for their caterpillars. 

Malia will eventually hatch them into butterflies. 
I layed down in that shade with them for a while too.  It was such a beautiful day.  Lots more to come . . . I plan on being in my swimsuit hiding out in by back yard all summer long:)