Summertime, Birthdays, and Fun!

It's been a busy week! Jacob and Grace turned 4 on July 2, 2008 -- I can hardly believe it's been 4 years already, yet it seems like I can barely remember the time when they weren't a part of my life . . . odd how that happens! So, to fill you in on all the events, I thought that some pictures could help tell the story . . .

First, on July 2nd, Franco and I took the kids to one of their favorite restaurants - Famous Dave's. Of course, the choice was easy with the two (2) free Lil' Wilbur meal coupons!

As you can tell, we have a "Packer" family . . . also, you may be able to see "Hello Kitty" peeking out from behind Grace's loot. These themes are prevalent at my home, and carried through to the birthday cakes that Jacob and Grace chose for their party on July 5th:

In between, we enjoyed a parade and 4th of July festivities at one of the local small towns nearby:
All in all . . . the weekend gave us a needed reprieve from the pounding, flooding rain, and lots of sunshine and cloudless days! A particular fun event for my kids -- they were able to visit with their cousins, Johnny and Jenna:

Well, there it is. My last week in pictures! Oh, by the way, I spared you the picture of the BAT that was hanging onto the side of our porch a couple nights ago - YUCK! But they do eat the ravenous mosquitoes . . . a consequence of the wet weather we've been having . . . God certainly had fun when he created his creatures!

. . . . until later . . .