Our Father Bike Ride

For the last three years our KCs have sponsored the Our Father Bike Ride on the Saturday before Father's Day.  It's a simple trek down one of our city bike trails with various options for how far to ride.  The first year Andrew just made it 3 miles to the cookie station & we packed up his bike in the van to go home!  Last year he made it half the way back, too, but the ground was so soft he was really worn out, so we threw the bikes in the back again. 

This year Darren, Andrew, & cousin Max did a full loop of 6 miles with energy to burn at the end!  My sister Melissa & niece Liz joined us in the cheering section.

 While we waited, Matthias was fine to walk around & pick flowers with the girls... but refused to take a picture with the flowers afterwards!  Ha!  Love that stage.

 We had a good crowd this year despite some rain clouds lingering above.

 And, they're off!

 Waving the pompoms, shaking the maracas, & cheering I think helped them zoom into the cookie stop at lightning speed.  After 3 (or 4?) cookies they were off again!

Some took a longer trek to make it a 9 mile ride, but Max & Andrew led the pack on the short route back.  Max was already talking about when he joins us again next year!

Can't get enough

Even after a full day of fun, we just hadn't had enough of our cousins yet. So we brought Liz, my goddaughter, & Max home with us for three days. We kicked off our adventures with peanut butter banana smoothies. Yum. Their brother has a peanut allergy so it seems whenever they have the chance, they love to indulge. Max proceeded to just go after the jar with a spoon!

That afternoon we gladly welcomed Darren home & headed out to the county fair. We saw lots of amusing animals,

watched the impressive model trains,

& rode some rides.

Who's going to win?

After enjoying the racing pigs & live music we had to share a funnel cake. That's my signature fair fare. It's just not complete without one.

We did some playing at home including a couple rousing games of Boggle & Taboo. Taboo's a lot more amusing when two of the players are still learning to read!We couldn't resist enjoying the beautiful weather with some fun at the park. Check out that ensemble if you can... she was wearing a onesie with her horsey jumper when I dressed her in the morning. She added a pink tutu underneath before we left for the park. Such a fashionista.

We met Auntie Cara & the boys for a picnic,

& then headed to the Splashpark & pool with them that afternoon.

Teresa INSISTED on going down without any assistance & pretty much ran a non-stop circle down the slide, through the pool, up the steps, & down the slide again for a straight hour & a half.

Max & Andrew raced their torpedoes down the slide before they raced their selves. What a crowd. The one on the end looks like our cousin James, but it's really just another little boy at the pool fascinated by our underwater torpedoes. He decided to join the crowd.

We had lunch out at Grandmother's complete with a coloring contest for one last blast on Friday,

& then headed home for block creations. Check out this replica of the fair complete with the train, music stage, pig racing, petting zoo, funnel cake stand, ticket center, & in the middle the SuperShot ride. We finished up with a little craftiness & made a pinata to celebrate their brother Joe's birthday. Hope you liked it, Joe!

We're so glad you could visit Liz & Max. Come again soon! We love you!

Thanks a million...

Maximillian for being such a cool cousin & nephew. We love you!

Happy Birthday, Max!