Summer Fun with Friends

We have enjoyed some beautiful weather the last couple of days with our out of town company, the Tipton's. Sandy and Brian and their boys came up for a couple of days and as always, the kids had a blast together. We spent some time at the pool and also went to a Florence Freedom baseball game. They are our local team where Krysta works concessions. So...on an unseasonably cool July night we enjoyed free food (Krysta took care of us) and a fun game and fireworks.

Just bein' silly!

Jake and his monster mask!


Jake discovered his Uncle JJ left his KC Chiefs mask when they were here for a visit. So...Jake likes to pretend he is a monster and put on the mask and try to scare us. Saturday night we took the kids (excluding Natalie who already had plans with a friend) down to Newport for dinner at Joe's Crab Shack then happened to see a fireworks show off a barge in the Ohio River and watched it from Eden Park.

Sisters take a vacation

Fun times in Florida
Nana & Pop Benson (Michelle laughing at a wise crack from Uncle Dennis)
The Benson & Barlar girls (Have known them since 1st grade)
Michelle had the pleasure of meeting her sister Heather down in Florida for some much needed R & R! With no kids...time was spent at the beach for a few days and it was wonderful! Michelle actually read a whole book on this trip...something she hasn't been able to do for a very long time. We got to visit with Nana and Pop Benson and were surprised to see Uncle Dennis there who had just gotten in from North Carolina. He was always the funny uncle from my memories when growing up. Had some great cuban food with them. It's always a treat to see old church friends when there as well. All in all it was a nice break from the every day routine at home.

Cousins in town for a visit

Jake & his big cousin Elijah
Elijah & Mason enjoying Graeter's ice cream
The Woolfpups (minus Mason)
Elijah giving Jake his goodbye hug!
Fireworks after the baseball game
Late Sunday night, Jeff's brother J.J. and his family came into town for a quick 48 hour visit. In that short period of time they made a visit to the Cincinnati zoo, the guys played a round of golf, went to the Reds baseball game which Barry Bonds made his 751st home run and the Reds won on a grand slam hit by Brandon Phillips. The kids had fun playing with Elijah and Mason who are growing up so fast!! J.J. also got his Skyline chili fix taken care of by going there three times while he was here.