Pictures from the Fourth

We didn’t get many photos, even though we both made the effort, we both forgot the camera. Here’s a few from the iPhones from this week.

We did fireworks with some friends. Adelynn carried the (unlit) sparkler to Mommy.


Watching the “fi-were-works” “up, sky!” She really enjoyed them this year! She pointed out every single one.

Trying on Daddy’s hat and Mommy’s headband.

We Okay, I coordinated outfits several days this week so we could wear our matching bows. This is a very appropriate time of year for it… so I wanted to get some wear in.

We ended the night watching the Fair’s big fireworks in the field with some more friends. Adelynn loved them and stayed up really late. Her little friend slept in the stroller in the back ground the whole time. We liked staying in the field this year, but Steph promised us we would get our front row seats back again next year! (For those who don’t know, my best friend Stepanie’s parents own Showalter Fireworks and Rainbow Fireworks. They do the show here every year and we’ve had the privilege in the past to sit as close as we safely can.) Looking forward to next year! :)

Happy 4th of July

July 4th was a fun day.  It began with the traditional breakfast-including cereal hanging from the tree.

Briscoe was feeling very needy..

The parade was very enjoyable this year-perhaps because of the little ones.

Be sure and notice "Grandpa Randy" waving in this shot of the City Band.

After the traditional lunch of fried chicken, Tim, Kate and I took Mandalay and Shona to the pasture to wade in the Ark River.

The river was about a foot deep and smelly!  Hence, we had to do doggy baths before heading home.

Hello From the Shooks at 457 Fountain:

Our biggest news is a "new" van.  Our 2001 with 224,000 miles has decided it only likes first gear.  Due to the cost of a new transmission, we have been car shopping.   That is not a shopping trip that I enjoy:)  But we found a 2005 with 87,000 miles so now we have a "new" van.  It is also white,but has grey rather than blue interior.  I cleaned out the old one tonight.  I hope someone uses the insides and the tires from the salvage yard.  It was in really good shape inside.  Poor Tim has to see his new tires go as they do not fit the new van. 

When Andrew and Katie were home in May, he wanted to take up our carpet and check out the floor beneath.  Sooooo - it was actually in good shape and now we have wood floor in the dining and living room.  There are a couple of  places that need attention due to an old vent and the remodeling someone did in front of the fireplace.

Erik has recovered nicely from his surgery.  The stent came out last Wed (he'll be happy to show it to you!) and he was able to play Frisbee on Sunday.  He is now a much happier camper:)  He said if anyone ever asks him to go through that again the answer is NO.  He plans to put some sealer on our wood fence to earn a little spending money.  We may have some other odd jobs he can complete.  Good news for his finances and my "to-do" list!

Samuel is mowing lawns for the neighbors this summer.  He isn't keen on doing it in the heat, but certainly isn't going to arise early to do it while it is cool!  He has been invited to go with his friend Nathan to Tablerock next week.  He's looking forward to it.

Tim is trying to finish up some work at Southwestern so he can take July off.   My work has been busy too and the boss and his wife have been having health issues so they have not been there very much. 

We're looking forward to a vacation in two weeks.  Hannah is flying to KC where we will pick her up and go to MN for a few days.  Then she will fly back out of KC and Erik and Samuel will play ultimate frisbee in Topeka at the Sunflower state games.  Last year Tim and I watched and it was 105 that day.  Looks like it could be more of the same this year:(

So everyone stay cool.  Take some time to relax!

Love to all.  Vicki, Tim, Erik and Samuel.