Catch Up

I was just going through my iPhone and realized I have a little catching up to do...

Last Monday (July 9th) Mike and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.  I have been talking about how I really wanted to go to the Blue Bird for their "all you can eat snow crab legs" for the past 3 years.  So on Tuesday night, we got a babysitter, and Mike and I went out to dinner and I FINALLY got to eat them.  They were delicious.  I really wanted to get three rounds like the girls sitting behind me, but I had to stop after 2.  I was STUFFED.  Mike didn't eat crab legs so this big bucket filled to the top is all from me.  Ha!

Paige and the girls have been here for the past few days and we wanted to do something special while they were here.  We decided to take the kids to Dutch Wonderland.

The past few years I have taken Owen by myself so this was the first year that Adam went along.  He had a great time!

I loved being able to fit everyone in my mini van :)




Fun times!

Here's what they looked like on the way home...

 

This weekend the church near our house had their annual festival.  We took the boys over Friday night for some games and food!  I think Owen saw almost all of his friends from daycare at the festival. Owen won a Mater lollipop.

Saturday night Mike and I had our 3rd date in almost a week!  We went to see Zac Brown in Camden with Karen and Brett. We tailgated a little bit before the concert.  Just another reason I love my mini van :)


Through his work, Brett was able to get us free VIP tickets.  It was amazing.

Definitely the best concert I've been to.  My favorite part of the entire concert was watching the violin/fiddle player.  He was incredible!!!  Greg Allman made a surprise appearance and sang for two songs too.

The crowd went nuts, but I didn't know who he was.

 I just woke up from a great afternoon nap.  Definitely needed after a late night out.  It's after 5 and Adam and Mike are still sleeping.  Happy Sunday!

Fly Away!

On Tuesday all five of our butterflies emerged from their chrysalis.  Even though this is probably my 4th time raising butterflies, it never gets old.  I am still so amazed at the whole process.  They emerge from the chrysalis quickly and I was lucky to witness one of them coming out this time. 

I told Owen that once they come out, their wings are all folded up and they only have about 20 minutes to pump blood into their wings and get them straightened out before they dry. 

Unfortunately, Adam hit the butterfly house about a week ago and one of the chrysalises fell.  The butterfly that came out wasn't able to fully unfold its wings, so it had a difficult time flying. 

Fly, fly away!

Hershey Gardens

I had never been to the Hershey Gardens, until today.  After checking their website, I learned that every Monday in July is Marvelous Monday.  Today's theme was butterflies which was perfect since we are growing (is that what's it's called?) butterflies at home.

 
I was excited to take the boys and see what it was all about.  The gardens were beautiful and it wasn't crowded at all!  We had a nice time walking around, looking at the pretty flowers and trees and it wasn't too hot either.
 

Photographer Owen

This was probably one of my boys' favorite things at the Gardens... watching a guy trim a tree.

Next, we headed over to the Children's Garden to explore and play.

I printed out a little scavenger hunt for Owen to do while we were there.  They also had some crafts and learning stations for the kiddos.

Examining different types of butterflies and moths

Looking through a lens that shows how bugs see things.

Learning about the stages of a butterfly

Owen holding a model of a chrysalis

If only there was chocolate coming out of those kisses instead of water :)

After that, we went into the Butterfly House.  This was my favorite part and I can't wait to go back again (without kids) to take some more pictures!  I could sit in there for a long time and watch the different butterflies.

Love Adam's face as he sees all the different butterflies

 We saw metamorphosis in action...

Isn't it amazing that a tiny egg like this one can turn into a beautiful butterfly?

The very hungry caterpillars munching away on leaves

A case full of chrysalises.  How amazing is that?!

 

My favorite butterfly.  Forget the name.

Lunch time

 After that, we headed to the amphitheater for a cute little puppet show.

We left before the sing along and magic show because the boys were getting tired and hungry.  I've definitely learned to quit while we're ahead when it comes to my kids.

We had a great morning, got lots of exercise, and hopefully learned a thing or two! And tonight, before bed, I think I'll read The Very Hungry Caterpillar (again).