Jumble of June...

I feel like I say this every month...in awe that the previous month just flew by and we're on to the next. Time sure does fly when you're having fun. And fun, we are having...

We took the girls to see their first 3D movie a few weeks ago on a rainy Saturday morning. They sat still and watched the entire movie, eating popcorn until their tummies hurt.

 Izzy's gymnastics pic...she sure looks big to me here and is progressing in her class each week. I still love watching her learn skills that I used to do...just never gets old.

 Mike and the girls are growing raspberries in the backyard and they love checking them daily to see if there are any ripe ones to pick. Yum.

 I had the opportunity to run with the Special Olympics torch a few weeks ago to kick off the opening ceremonies. Five miles through Terre Haute wasn't the best but as soon as we got into the Athlete Village and ran a final loop around the stadium, it was all worth it. High fives and smiles all around.

 And of course it wouldn't be a McCulloch summer without Man Olympics (aka Beer Olympics). Missed out on them last year as we were moving into our awesome apartment. But this year we came back with a vengeance. Team 'Walk of Shame' cleaned house in almost every event and were the team to beat.

Mike crushed the 'how long can you keep your hand in a bucket of ice' competition.

 Our mini trike relay (complete with shots taken in between laps and peddling through a bubble machine fog) was priceless.

 We also cleaned house on the water balloon slingshot...

 I spent almost 20 minutes on this post. Barefoot. Had to throw water balloons at our competitors and even chug beers. Nothing stopped my inner zen from focusing. Crushed it. Also had cramped feet for a week. The price we pay for victory.

This beauty of a trophy (8-man bong) was worth the battle wounds and is now resting awkwardly (for me, as our neighbors catch a glimpse of this on a daily basis) in our garage.

 The neighborhood pool opened up and let me tell you how nice it is to be able to walk or ride our bikes to it. It's incredible. Convenient. Makes me happy. Izzy has taken to having her quiet time at the pool, always traveling with her "mah-za-zeens."

 While Laney Bug is growing some self confidence in the water every day.

Lots of swimming with her face in the water

 I participated in another CF competition - this time it was a team event, which I much prefer to individual ones. We had a pretty strong team, a lot stronger than where we were last year.

 This was a two day event and Friday night's wod we knew would be our strongest as it was an endurance focused workout. We placed 4th out of 18 teams that night, beating out two very strong teams that ended up in the finals (we, on the other hand, did not). This picture captures our excitement after learning we crushed our goal (and our competition). Me pointing to the clock and the rest of the team's excitement.

 My old pal, Karie, swung by to watch the final wod we participated in. She and I met in 4th grade and I love that we still occasional see each other! Such a great supporter and friend.

Thrusters

Team 'Deadliest Snatch'

 That same evening we celebrated Bri's baby-to-be with the Perfect Strangers. Never a dull moment with this crew!

 Nanny Maddie sent me this pic of the panty princesses

 The girls' latest obsession: raiding my closet.

 Cari and I swung by one of our favorite coach's new gyms where I was able to try my hand at the old rope climb. Haven't done them since I was probably in 8th grade but I still had it (and have the bruises on my shins to prove it).

 And just a few days ago we braved the elements and met the Fechtman family in the wilderness for some camping. Let's just say the car was just as full for 1 night as when we travel to Florida for 8 days. Shew! Check and check. Cross that one off our list. It was rainy but we survived. Girls slept like rocks. Me? Notsomuch. But we had a great time and have some solid memories to carry with us from this trip.

 Whole crew hiked about 3 miles...Izzy didn't complain once. It's a Christmas miracle! Buggy, on the other hand, was carried most of the way.

 The men navigating

 Fechtmans

 Blurry family pic...Lane is grouchy because her feet are touching the ground (read: she's not being carried).

 Hot dogs then s'mores

 Rain management via tent placement

 Ghost stories after dark...the kids giggled so much (so did the adults)

After a busy June, we're heading out for a summer break. Girls are staying with their grandparents while Mikey and I head up to Milwaukee for some Summerfest, Brewers game and brewery tours. Can't wait for some much needed R&R!

Happy Fourth of July!