A Cluster of Events

I had a bunch of pictures that I wanted to post so I decided to bunch them all into one big post.  First off is Brad's birthday pictures.  Brad turned 27 on July 31st.  We were able to go out to an early dinner while our wonderful friends, the Clowards, watched Ella.  Then we had a few friends over for some icecream cake...yummy!

Here I am trying to light the tealight we used for Brad's candle.  I just didn't have 27 candles lying around and didn't make it to the store to get some.  I think it worked out just fine although it took me a couple of tries before I got it lit....I'm not very good with matches!

Brad making a wish after he blew out the candle because he forgot to do it before.

Me, Brad and Ella.  Happy 27th old man! 

 

Next event is the release of Breaking Dawn, the 4th and final book of the twilight series.  My friend Heather let me borrow the first three and I got hooked just like everybody else.  I don't own any of the books but I really wanted to read the last one and I knew I needed to read it before school starts or else I wouldn't have any time.  We decided to go to the party at Borders (the bookstore just up the street) and wait in line at midnight for our copies.  Heather prepared ahead of time and got her name on the list before me.  They gave us wristbands with numbers on them.  Heather was number 117 in line...not to bad.  Since I waited until last minute (like always!) I was number 379!  Fortunately, they were having a raffle for the first 20 books to be sold.  I have never won anything, but I just happened to win the 7th place in line.  It was so funny!

Here I am showing off my #7 wristband while waiting in line.  I am such a dork!

Heather and I modeling our new books!

I knew that we needed to have one last hurray before Brad and I started school so we were so happy when the Clowards invited us to Holiday World.  Holiday World is in Santa Claus, Indiana which is about an hour away and is such a fun place!  It's a theme park with a few roller coasters and other rides as well as a giant water park.  We had a blast and stayed as long as we possibly could.  We were all so tired by the end of the day!  The kids loved it and were sooo good.  I couldn't believe it, no melt downs even though it was hot and muggy.  We for sure will be going every year!

Ella's first ride ever!  She loved riding on her little horsey and held on so good.  Here she is petting her new friend's mane.  

 

This is Tessa.  She is such a sweet girl!

And here is Tyler.  He is quite the daredevil!  He went on almost every ride that he was tall enough to go on and only needed a little talking in to.  Get ready Tyler...next year you can go on the roller coasters for sure!

This was Ella's second ride that she went on all by herself.  She was facing backwards and was not excited when she saw that I wasn't riding with her.  

This is how the ride went....Ella crying.  I know, we are such mean parents putting our little girl on a big scary ride, but don't be deceived.  She had no tears, she was just mad that I left her.  She stopped after a few turns!

This ride Ella and Tessa got to sit together and went much more smoothly.  She really liked it.  I can't believe my baby is old enough to ride on rides by herself!  They grow up so fast!!

The boys (Brad, Tyler, Dan) went on this ride together.  It goes up and drops you down a few times.  Tyler loved it.  He went on it 12 times.

Heather and I decided we would try it with Tyler too.  I was screaming like a baby!  It was only slightly embarrassing as it was a KIDS ride.  When I wasn't screaming I was laughing hysterically because the lady next to me kept saying, "I too scared, I too scared."  It was so funny.