happy birthday lauren!

Lauren, who we've known now for three seasons at the cheer center, was celebrating her birthday with a pool party at the Y and she was kind enough to invite both girls to celebrate with her. Her party was actually after a long practice, so the girls were looking forward to it all day.

We got started with a few games, musical chairs, etc. and then did cake and presents before heading to the pool. The girls had a blast playing and swimming and the best part was seeing Lauren so happy and celebrating with our friend. HBD to Lauren!

kitty love

Chase, Cheddar, and Nylah (formerly Sky) have taken over. The girls are obsessed. These kitties get LOTS and lots and lots of love and attention--but ily could take them or leave them, haha.

They reside in the playhouse for the most part, but specifically like to lie in the ornamental grasses by the fountains. We got them fixed last week--Nylah, the only girl, didn't need to be having a 100 babies all over the place, so we were trying to be responsible and Kara hooked us up telling us about the S.O.S. clinic to take care of them. 

The brothers and sisters romp and play a lot. The girls and Eric are covered in scratches--mostly from getting them out of trees after an ily chase, or running from us. They mostly hang out in the woods it seems, but they keep to our place, which we are all thrilled about--now if they'd just start catching some mice!

Cora really REALLY loves them. Squeezes them any chance she gets--and will play for an hour with the biggest smile on her face. 

Grandpa caught these pics of she and the cats a few days ago and shared. I wish we could keep them in the house with us--but the rest of us I fear would not be able to breathe :( we'll see. As long as they are happy with the arrangement outside, I'm good with that too. 

happy birthday G'ma Young!

Grandma Young came up to celebrate her birthday with us--we were going to try out a restaurant we'd all wanted to and wouldn't you know it had closed!? oh well, plan B--headed to China Bell. 

The girls loved sampling everyones food, trying yummy new things, having sprite, singing to grandma and the soft-serve for dessert too. 

When we got home, we surprised her with her gifts and coconut poke cake--we sang and did candles and presents too and watched some pics of the girls on the tv while they all played--it was a super fun night celebrating grandma and we were lucky to have her!

Elite gymnastics camp

This was the first year that Cora was old enough to go to the week long Elite gymnastics camp and I was THRILLED to be able to sign them up. They were ready to roll on Monday, complete with their biketards, water bottles, backpacks, and smiles. 

Everyday there was a different theme and the girls came home excited, sweaty and hungry! There was a tie-dye day, scavenger hunt day, water balloon day, and then a show-time for parents at the end. I was lucky to be able to pick them up everyday and we stopped at Speedway for slushies every day. They ate what lunches the gym provided and never said a peep about it too. 

The teachers were amazing. Juliette, Jeni, Tiffany and Coach nate, kept the girls busy, learning, but also playing a LOT. Amara was loving the rings (even though that's a boy skill) they let her do her thing, which she loved. 

Cora has no fear either and she was up for anything involving flipping, spinning, or swinging. 

I think this is one that will go on the roster for every summer--it's a really great group of people, close to us, and they have a blast. We signed up for the August/ September sessions for both girls to see if they want to continue--I've always thought flexibility is key for any sport or health so I love they are into it!

Harrisburg homecoming and parade

The harrisburg parade is likely the only parade around you can watch twice--once as it starts and once as it's finishing at the school, though we opted to only stay for the beginning ;)

We went back home to wait till the rides started back up later and headed into downtown for some pretty funny rides. I compared it to the "war" style games from vegas vacation of carnival rides. Miniature things that were quite entertaining for us, and over priced, but basically a private party.

The girls had fun with the man running this ship rocket ride thing, he was jumping out at them and rocking it, stealing their shoes--it was cute. 

And Eric was a trooper and rode the boomerang ride a few times--i can't do things that make me motion sick.

Afterwards we ran down and got a lemon shakeup, then headed to the fish fry building where I got one and we took 4 over to mom and dad.  They are always really good and you would have thought we made their whole day!