I think the saying typically goes “Christmas in July” but this year, it is “July around Christmas” for this post. To say I’m behind is an understatement. So these posts will be picture heavy and story light. I’m just ready to unload the burden of getting them done.

In early July Sean, Charlotte, and Max visited Ohio and that included a couple of trips to our house in Powell. We had fun hanging out and enjoyed a bike ride to downtown Powell for dinner at Koble together outside on the patio.  The kids love playing together and the pictures from previous visits also prove they are all growing up.

We were fortunate to attend the inaugural Crew match at the new Lower.com field in July as well. It was an electric atmosphere with so much energy and excitement. We literally sat at the top of our section and the view was still stellar.

July is also full of many visits to the pool. We are fortunate to have a fun neighborhood.

We went to Mom and Dad’s new house for the 4th of July and the kids enjoyed setting off some crackers.

Reid has always been a snuggler. He is an early morning guy.

This will be the last year for our “patio garden”. It had a very slow start this year and took forever to produce anything. But we enjoyed tomatoes, zucchini, and peppers from it.

This year we made a trip to a blueberry farm and harvested some fresh blues. To be honest, it was a slow picking! But the fruits were tasty and we were able to take some on vacation.

While Reid does not “nap” officially, he really does need a rest during the day. I often find him sleeping in random places.

This year Mom and Dad treated us to a wonderful family vacation in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. It’s only about a 4 hour drive from our house – which was wonderful! We had a great week filled with a pontoon boat and tube rental, fun adventures, good food, and family time.

We primarily are still sticking to outdoor activities, including a visit here and there to Nocterra. We met up with Brian, Lisa, Cooper and Cole for a fun night and the kids enjoyed playing card games.

We got our entire house carpets cleaned and it is amazing the difference in the way it makes the house feel (and smell!). If only we were able to keep the rooms this clutter-free and organized all the time….one can only dream.

Look at little Reidy from a couple of years ago! He continues to be a trooper and goes with me to Griffin’s soccer practices and other necessities. He loves adventure.

It’s been so long ago it’s hard to even recall, but I believe we went on a walk and in the end had a competition where we all placed and were given medals (a nod to the olympics that were going on at the time). Even Brutie got in on the medal placing.

Catching lightning bugs with the Manning girls, a bike ride for breakfast to The Locust Table in downtown Powell, a fun trip to the park, and a visit to Griffin’s new playground at Tyler Run.

And a little nod at the listing of Mom and Dad’s Mansfield home listing. The number of views and saves online were crazy!

Millcreek had a fun social event put on by the social committee – the Summer Olympics. It included a timed competition for filling flats with pots, pie eating, plug tray sticking, and an egg toss.