Time to play catch-up. We got to visit my family in Ohio with ALL of us! It was wonderful! I was going to skim over the details, but I realized how many wonderful pictures I had! Here are the highlights... The fact that we were ALL together!

Mike shaving his head. There's something about when Mike gets together with the bros-in-law that makes him want to shave his head. I only agreed because of his upcoming triathlon.

Oma's kiddie pools. The kids played in kiddie pools about every night and we bathed them outside each time. They never took a single bath inside! And it was a great way to wear them out before bed.

Opa made wings for the cousins! How fun!

They must have flown up in the tree with their wings!

And Opa showed the kids one of his Marine Corps swords. Can't you see the excitement in Isaac's face as Opa let him hold it. He still talks about when he grows up he's going to get a sword.

Of course what's a visit to Ohio without going to the Cone? It was Evelyn's first trip and she loved it. I'm not sure what is sweeter, the ice cream around her mouth or that smile.

Just a little Cone shenanigans... I think we got ice cream on the lens.

Sigh, I could go on, but I won't. There's more to tell!

Lydia started first grade last week! It's amazing how nonchalant I was about it this year, as opposed to the freak-out mother I was when she started kindergarten. But I did have to run after her to get a hug before she eagerly boarded the bus. "Wait, Lydia! I need a HUG!" Here she is sporting her very hip zebra striped back pack.

Last Saturday was a big day for Mike! He completed his first triathlon! What a stud! 500 meter swim, 15 mile bike ride and a 2 mile run. Mike did it all in an hour and a half! Ben and Karen came down from Dallas the night before so Ben could do it with him. We were all out of the house by 5:15 am to get there for the race at 7. The kids were amazing! They had a blast playing together on the shaded grassy hill while we waited to cheer on the boys. We couldn't have asked for a better location as spectators. It was great to watch the bikers come whizzing by. We were so close! Here are the kids watching.

Karen got much better pictures of it than I did so visit her blog link. But here's a great one of Mike showing off his tattoo before the big race. And yes, he re-shaved his head for the event.

And here he's cruising by on his bike.

Yay! Way to accomplish, Mike!