Sunny Days...

For our first vacation this summer we spent an extra long weekend with our dear friends the Powell's at Sesame Place. It is an adorable park with both water and regular rides, shows, parades, and LOTS of time with the characters. Will was in his glory... and we all had an amazing time. Such fun!

The kiddos on the carousel. We must have ridden "the ponies!" ten times!

The Gs with the Grouch!

Ella ready for the parade.

Snacking and waiting!

Here it comes!!!!


The Powells (and baby makes 4!)

Joe and Will getting on the water slide. I must admit, I had my doubts, but Will loved it and he and Ben kept pulling the dads on again and again!

On the way down.


David and Benjamin splashing in the kiddie wave pool.

Joe and Ella enjoying the sun.

Will and Jen in a splash fight! She's such a cute pregger Momma!

The moms and the kids with BIG BIRD! Ella, by the way, was suspicious of every single character...

The boys and their buddy Elmo.

COOKIE!

Bert and Ernie... I never know which is which...


A high five for Big Bird!

Will loving it, Ella having none of it.

Cookie Monster eating Joe's head! Will and Ben (and Jen, Dave and me, too) thought this was hilarious!

Ben and Zoe

Will on the bouncer. He loved this giant moon bounce.

And, just a funny one of Will playing doctor in the car on the ride home. He gave his new Oscar the Grouch doll a full check-up, complete with immunizations :-)

Picnic!

While our company was with family over the Fourth, my parents hosted a picnic with many family friends. Lots of fun was had swimming and eating!
Madeline, my godchild, ready for the pool!

Dana and Nicholas.

Madeline pulling Will around the pool.



Then newest members of the party, Tyler and Nicholas.

Maddy and Ella looking festive!

The Tabays!

Joe and the kiddos relaxing in the hammock.

Fun with friends!

Over the Fourth of July we had a wonderful weekend with our friends the Lee's. Matt and I have been friends since freshman year at Notre Dame and Rachel and I became friends not long after. They were in town for a family reunion, but we had a blast reuniting our families as well. At one point when all FOUR of our children were playing in Will's room, Matt and I were supervising, and we just looked at each other thinking, if only 18 year-old Johanna and Matt could have seen this coming!! So much fun, such precious time with dear friends.

Daniel and Will watching some Sesame Street while the adults try desperately to get ready for mass.

A trip to the park after breakfast out. Daniel riding the duck!

Will on the slide.

Climbing the rock wall.

Ella sliding!

Rachel and Christopher.

Daniel and Ella in the train!

Will racing Matt back to the cars, Matt putting on a show :-)

Ella taking the easy way out, hitching a ride!

Since it was Fourth of July weekend, we had some serious water activities in the back yard. It was amazing to watch the kids get comfortable with each other and really start playing together.
Daniel and Ella having some watermelon on the deck.

Christopher supervising.

Sprinkler, swing set, pool and pirate ship!


Buddies...


Daniel checking out the planes, Ella checking out the garden.