Summer

 Unfortunately, when I downloaded these, they completely mixed up the order, and it's such a pain to try and reload or try and work it out, and I'm just going to roll with it.

First off: NASCAR Car Hauler Parade. We were "pros" at it this year. Got there plenty early and kept ourselves very hydrated because it was about 1,000 degrees outside. But we had fun!

Waiting for the trucks to roll in...

IMS in the back ground!

Ryan had me take a lot of photos, but I heart Jimmie Johnson, so this is the only one I'm including.

Joshua was able to take the kids to the practice. Face painting and ice cream always make the day better!

 Joshua and the kids started karate again!

 Open House at the Intermediate School. Bella got to meet her teachers and decorate her locker.

And this is the day Ryan ate FIFTEEN nuggets at Chick Fil A.

Bella hugged this and said, "What do they make these things out of, polar bears? It's so soft!"

And some days were just sitting on the couch watching movies!

 State Fair! We didn't go last year and Joshua had to take the day off for us to do it this year, but it's a family tradition!

This was Bella's last year for "Little Hands on the Farm." She protested. "But I still have little hands, people! Still have little hands!"

But clearly she is getting too big.

Ryan is good for another year.

Family photo on the Mousetrap roller coaster.

Love Bella's ponytail whipping out behind her.

The thrill-seekers.

 So they had these letters out, meant for you to be the "I" in "fair" like the "Indy" statues around the city.

But because we're classy...it became "fart" and several people copied Joshua's shining example.

Dr. Doolittle.

 And then the rest of summer randomness.

Ryan tackling his Nemo toy in the pool. He was actually narrating a very exciting NatGeo episode where he was wrestling an aquatic beast!

Costco in jammies because we could! They brought books and read the whole time!

 Missouri - another summer tradition!

Our car's shadow looks just like Shrek.

 We tried some new things this year, one of which was the Promised Land Zoo. Very cool!

My two favorite animals.

We all loved this exhibit!

Even Joshua enjoyed it!

Feeding the kangaroos was one of our favorite things.

They get very close!

This one cracks me up. The hair!

This was a funeral Bella made for her lightning bugs. We actually released them in the lake. I had to convince her not to shoot flaming arrows toward it like we've seen done in movies.

 Silver Dollar City is always fun. This year Bella braved a big coaster! It's there in the background.

The kids convinced Maga to go on the water ride. She is SUCH a trooper!

 This year's show was Acrobats of Shangai. Pretty sure none of them have bones because they were mind-bogglingly flexible.

Yep. She's juggling a table. With her feet. While she does a hand stand.

Bella spent most of the show like this.

This group eventually had three different pairs jumping rope all at the same time.

And I'm impressed with one hula hoop!

Little Man showing his muscles.

Bella found that if she pulled on the rock, she could swing endlessly. She's brilliant.

Every year. Same flavor.

Ryan eats with GUSTO!

She was too scared for tent camping in the back yard, but this was a good compromise.

Oh, Missouri...

This girl and her outfits. She saw nothing wrong with it.

Ryan gets SERIOUS about bowling!

This is Bella's dream.

 Evening boat rides are always fun!

 Another new attraction (for us) was Ripley's museum. We actually really enjoyed it!

These are painted butterflies.

World's largest roll of TP.

This was done in pieces of toast!

Bella compared to the world's tallest man.

 Branson has about 500 mini golf places. We chose this one because of the rockin' pirate theme.

This is probably before she kissed it, talked to it, and threw it back.

 And back home again!

First day of summer picnic.

Checking out a new splash pad.

And a new library!

Creek stomping.

Bubble tea at the Farmer's Market.

A lazy day with dad.

Bella-Mommy time at Clay Terrace.

Came home to this sign. Bella had made up mopping solution, and did the kitchen floor for me complete with caution sign. Love that girl.

Another new park.

And a hot air balloon that landed in the field by our house.

The Three Musketeers at "Serve Noblesville."

Another park!

We were busy!

Ryan helped Joshua rebuild our deck.

 We spent some time at Sky Zone - a building full of trampolines.

Love that she wore cat shoes.

Lots of pool time.

A WW2 plane overhead!

But still making them do math....

...and reading.

Another park to play in.

And then giving Sasha a bath at Petco because she was filthy!

 July 4th!

Cilantro. For a snack. Honestly.

Just a girl and her dog...

Lego build at the library. Ryan made a swimming pool and filled it with blue bricks for "water."

Bella made a sweet car with flip-down seats.

 Sam Ash. They let you play any guitar, set of drums, cymbals of keyboard you want. Even when they know you have no idea how to play. The kids love it and I believe we spent an hour and a half here that day.

The last picture of my 9-year-old daughter!

Which means doughnuts for breakfast!

And a family party at Biaggi's!

And dessert!

Playing with bubbles one rainy day.

Endless race tracks.

 Downtown Indy day! We got to tour Lucas Oil Stadium. We saw every nook and cranny. Bella took about 75 photos and videos, but these are just a few.

Locker room!

Doc checking out the injured player.

In the tunnel!

The  center of the field!

 We visited the capitol (capital?) building.

 Had to explain what a phone booth was to the kids. They were fascinated.

Bella checking out a phone book.

Governor's office.

 This is in the center of the city. We've visited it before, but this time we went to the Civil War Museum in the base, and took the 330-something stairs to the tippy top!

Great view, but we were winded!

This is a selfie stick Bella made from...well...a stick.