Sylvania Playland

Today we went to a big "playland" about 25 minutes from our house. They had five giant inflatables, four different playground sets, and a baby/toddler area. We ended up staying for about three hours, and the kids had a good time:

Heidi and Owen loved this kiddie roller coaster. Lizzie was too old to play on it. (Literally, the staff asked her to leave.)

Future bus driver?

I Am a Child of God

Sauder Historic Village

Sauder Village is about an hour west of us. They have about 40 different buildings on site, with costumed staff who teach about rural life in the 19th/early-20th centuries and do demonstrations. We saw a one-room school, a doctor's office, a train depot, a Lutheran church, a mill, and more.

I had to explain to Lizzie that that is not how you drive a buggy. Silly girl. Where did we get this kid? :)

They had a pretend cow to milk. It would moo occasionally, and the sound scared the girls so bad that I couldn't get a good picture. They kept covering their ears. Lol.

Meanwhile...

Playing 19th century house. Heidi is the mom, and Lizzie is the dad.

Just chillin'

Watching a live milking demonstration

In a wigwam

And a teepee

Grinding some corn

On the train

Butterfly House

This morning we visited the Butterfly House in Whitehouse. The Butterfly House is home to over one thousands butterflies--with dozens of different species from North & South America and Asia. They fly around the room and tickle you with their wings. One blue morpho butterfly even landed on Owen's shoulder at one point.

Heidi's First Public Speaking Engagement :)

Heidi gave a talk in Primary today! Her topic was "I can know the truth through the power of the Holy Ghost." She told the story from Carl Emil Nielsen's life story (great-great-great grandpa):

"[Carl] was baptized March 9, 1876 [at age 16]. When the pastor and his wife learned that Carl had joined the Mormon Church, they called him to their home. In a kind and loving way they told him he had made a serious mistake. After four or five days he decided to go home and talk with his mother, wondering if he had been hasty. When his mother learned of his concern, she said: 'Carl, have you prayed about it?' That was his answer. He hurried to his room and discovered how quickly God comes to our rescue when we pray."

 (She paraphrased, of course.)

She got the scrapes on her nose while having a foot race with Lizzie on the driveway. She tripped and skinned her nose pretty good.

24th of July BBQ

Beautiful. The girls got haircuts today.

With Sister Bradfield

Roasting marshmallows

Lizzie collected a bunch of goose feathers. Brother Smith told her that if she ran to "that tree" and flapped hard enough, she could fly.

Owen playing football with the boys.

Swim Lessons

I tried to convince Heidi to wear sandals today, but she wanted to wear these old hand-me-down sneakers instead.

Chicken - Airplane - Rocket Ship. Poor Heidi was terrified and didn't want to let go of Mr. Kevin.

Mommy's Helpers

The girls surprised Mommy by folding the clothes without being asked. :)

Owen Hanging Out with the Young Men

At Milton's baptism, earlier today:

Heidi took this last picture. She cut a couple heads off, and I had to go in afterwards with photo editing software to straighten it out, but otherwise it turned out pretty well. :)

Mini Golf

Next time we'll have to go with Michael and Daniel! It only costs $2.50 per kid... Can't beat that. :)