Just words, no pictures

I have pictures to post, just no time to post them.
We had the boys' b-day party at the Bowling Alley on Sunday afternoon. Megan stayed home with Kelly. We only had 4 kids (only invited 5), so it didn't get too crazy. Ryan was the high scoring bowler with 99 points (I think) and Jonathan came in 2nd with 98 (I think). As usual, the look on Jonathan's face was priceless when he realized he didn't win. Instead of cupcakes, we had birthday cookies from Central Market. The only cupcakes they had were girly looking.

Jonathan lost his first tooth yesterday. It fell out while he was eating a peach. I think the boys have 6 loose teeth between the 2 of them now. Apparently, Jonathan was questioning the tooth fairly theory to Don, wondering if Mom and Dad help out or not. I guess that's the problem with not losing your first tooth until you are seven, you are getting a bit old to believe. I've also been fielding more detailed questions about Santa, so we might have a little heart to heart about that come Christmas season. What the heck, we might as well tell them where babies really come from at the same time and get two tough conversations done at the same time.

Eric is showing symptoms of I Need To Go Back to School NOW. He has been a time bomb, and then the most lovable kid, and then he runs to his room and hides under the covers. I'm sure neither Don or I ever did this to our parents.

Will try to get pictures up soon

Aberdeen

Don and I were wild and crazy Tuesday when we spontaneously decided to return to Mandan from Iowa via Hwy 12/Hwy 83 through Aberdeen instead of I-29/I-94 like we always do. The motivation for this crazy behavior was Storybook Land. We thought we would just let the kids run for an hour or so, and still be home by 7 pm. Well, Storybook Land was a wee more fun than what were expecting. We ended up spending 3 plus hours there, and did not get home until 10:30. We strolled around the park on a "surry" (did not have a fringe on top), enjoyed a ride on the carosel, and enjoyed all the statues of classic storybook heros. Megan was not fond of the lion's den from Wizard of Oz. It was so stinking fun we are planning on returning to spend a weekend there.

Grandpa's farm

We had a great time with Grandpa Flanigan over the weekend. The kids all enjoyed exploring around the farm and the buildings. Two of Don's cousins and his Aunt were able to come by for a visit. We took Grandpa to Godfather's Pizza for lunch, which has become a yummy tradition on our visits. Grandpa came with to find a geocache at a roadside cemetary near his farm. The kids, as always, enjoyed the swimming and continental breakfast at the hotel.

Sonic

A small dream of the LaFleur Family came true on Sunday around 11 am. We were able to dine at a Sonic Drive In, after watching the commercials of their scrumptious looking food for years. Making this stop was no easy feat. We had to drive into Sioux Falls, and had to take a detour of our pre-planned route to get there. It was all worth it. The kids all got slurpies. They had to get slurpies.

Watertown

After spending some time in Barnesville, MN for the Walter and Jane (Lamb) Cook reunion (I am named after Great Grandma Jane), we trekked on to Watertown en route to Cherokee, IA to visit Great Grandpa Flanigan. We enjoyed the Bramble Zoo, and did a little geocaching, finding all 4 caches we attempted. Two of the geocaches were on the grounds of the Terry Redline Museum. When the boys were younger, we would always stop here to let them run and burn off some energy.

Beware of Flying Child

DISCLAIMER: While it may appear the young child was injured during the taping of this clip, rest assured he was not. Sure, he may have cried for 5 minutes or so post injury, but once his mother, who was taking the video, stopped laughing, she was able to assess for musculoskeletal injury and found none.

a no-picture update

Both boys are riding bikes w/o training wheels now. Eric rides the "big bike", Jonathan sticks with the smaller one. We loaded up both vans with our bikes this evening and went to the bike path by the golf course-enjoyed a nice family stroll. No injuries thankfully.
The boys started tennis lessons from our favorite girl Kelly. They will have them Thursday evenings through the month of July. Not to be left out from anything that her brothers do, Megan is now the proud owner of a Dora tennis racquet. She uses it as a toy guitar.
We are up to 15 different playgrounds visited so far this summer (I think).
Target has all of their back to school supplies out. Our summer vacation is half way finished....

Shake your booty

I think these pictures speak for themselves....

Birthday shopping

The boys enjoyed a trip to Target to spend their birthday money. We now have more legos, and more transformers. Megan enjoyed the trip as well, as her Dad thought she needed some Fairy Doll.

Seven

Seven years old! At their well check today, Jonathan measured 4'3" tall and 55.6#. Eric measured 4'3.5" and 55.6#.
They accomplished lots in their seventh year of life. No more training wheels, some permanent teeth, reading, underwater sommersaults. Look out first grade.

Hell's Angels