Beach Blanket Bingo

July is one of my favorite months. Nestled in the middle of summer, it tends to bring hot weather, fun times, good food and parades! This season we've watched 2 parades so far. On the 4th we were a little disappointed with Richfield's festivities- there was only one marching band! Pan'O'Prog always delivers though. If you are looking for a top-notch parade experience, Lakeville's Panorama of Progress is the finest you'll find in these here parts. Not to mention minidounuts 2nd only to TinyTim's at the State Fair.

Bjorn & Lily on the front of a firetruck.
Hanging on and with Auntie Erin on the 4th.

Sundays are spent at Papa & Grama's house! All of the aunties and uncles come over and have dinner together. Usually most of us spend the whole day there, especially in the summer. Due to my mom's recent skin cancer battle, we get a bit of flack for suntanning though. Lily receives the deluxe treatment from my favorite new product- spray on sunsceen. Not the goopy lotion kind either- this stuff goes on like Aqua Net. Putting a thick coat of it, and reapplying every hour, causes me to go through a can a week, but it is so worth it.

This week I was in the yard and looked over to see my mom and pop looking like this:

Are they: (a) stretching after an invigorating game of Balls O' Hanging ladder golf (b) inspecting the tree for Dutch Elm disease (c) discussing campers (d) figuring out if the birds circling above were eagles or buzzards.

Answer: (d)- conclusion was inconclusive, but aren't they cute?

Lily & Elliot passed out after binging on freezy pops.

Last week brought us to the beach for the first time this summer. Equipped with a sand and water station, as well as a kick-butt park, we stayed for hours of fun! An extra bonus- the water was not soupy green! We met some of our favorite pals and frolicked around/near the water. The sand was the best part though, and Lily was not above rolling in it like a cinnamon churro.

The only thing on the entire playground that was "risky"- the girls crossed it back and forth for 20 minutes straight.

This is about as deep as Lily went.

Tore up and loving it. (click on the picture for a close-up of the sandy face)