Ava and tomato sauce - not the best combo Ava, Toby & Zach - the boys loved when Ava woke up

Zach reading Ava her bedtime story

Ava liked Zach's reading

Toby, Brad, and Zach after a tiring day at Blue Mound State Park

Ava getting thrown in the air

Beach babe - look at those cute legs!

Ava & Zach playing on the beach

Sandy, Ava, and Sally enjoying the cool water

On Saturday, we headed to Blue Mound State Park to enjoy the lake on a hot, humid day. We all went for a swim, then grilled brats for lunch. We then went for a little hike. Brad and Zach biked around the whole park while Sandy, Toby, Ava, and myself walked some trails until the heat became unbearable. We then headed back into the lake for more swimming. It was a fun day just like last year, but once again, we were all exhausted.

Fun Times with My Sister Sandy, Zach, and Toby...

Zach-8, Toby-3 1/2, Ava 19 mths - Palisades State Park Sally & Sandy - Palisades State Park

Toby & Zach enjoying running around

Ava loved the slide at Palisades

Brad & Ava taking in the river

Ava & Aunt Sandy

Sally & Ava on the "scary" bridge in my opinion

Brad & Ava on the bridge

Toby & Sandy

Brad & Ava looking through the grates on Devil's Gultch Bridge at Garretson

Everyone heading over the scary bridge- thank goodness I was already safe!

Ava & Brad

The Family at Devil's Gultch

Zach, Sandy, & Toby

Ava & Zach enjoying the pool which we later moved to a more "level surface"

Zach sliding into the pool

Zach, Toby and a hesitant Ava being led into the pool by Grandma

Ava and my friend Tonya's son, Luke who came to visit

Ava 19 mths, Addison, 2 1/2 at Grandma's

Toby at Grandma's

Ava & Addie on the favorite little couch at Grandma's

Ava, Grandma Chris, and Addie

It has been a busy past few days, but very fun. Sandy, Zach, and Toby have been staying with us. We have been enjoying the outdoors as we have finally been blessed with some nice days. We went to Garretson, SD to check out some of the parks. They were beautiful, but the heights were a little scary for me, but no one else seemed to mind. We had fun running around and checking out all the views. We even hiked around a couple of trails, but realized quickly that carrying Ava was not going to be a picnic. The boys loved to be outside and the bugs weren't even too bad.