Independence Day!

We had a great Independence Day!  Temperatures stayed about 76 or so; it was absolutely beautiful weather for being outside with friends.  First we drove to the Yetter's home and hung out there with several families.  We shared lunch, then the guys went to play corn hole, the kids went to play volleyball in the field, and most of the ladies chatted.  Then we cleaned up and all went over to the Skarin's, where the church family was gathering for an afternoon and evening of fellowship, games, and play.

We had dinner there (boy, the tables were packed with food!), then there was a time for skits and presentations (pre-planned).  Our group led off the presentation time--we were the CFCFs (Christ Fellowship Church Flutists), and we played orchestral renditions of My Country, 'Tis of Thee and America the Beautiful (Jo, we missed you fluting with us...).  We had Allison lead the audience in singing at certain points in our music.  I could barely hear the singing, but I heard from people that it was great.  No Soto's took pictures of us, but a few others did and posted them on Facebook (email me if you're interested!).

For one of the presentations, the Mellas Family put together a musical medley.  It was great. 

Yes, there are nine of them in the photos above.  The two younger ones didn't participate. 

Then, a group of talented young ladies put together a musical medley, beginning with She's A Grand Old Flag.

After the get-together wound down, groups of people headed over to the Wheaton fireworks, and other groups headed to the Naperville ones.  Don Y. and Bill S. had spread blankets out in a fantastic spot for the Naperville fireworks, and since that's on the way home for us, we went there.

We smushed three siblings in our Suburban, since their ride left without them!  We were packed.  We stopped at my parents' home to change into jeans and use the bathroom, and Jenn (one of our passengers) snapped the below when Thomas decided to crawl onto the roof of the vehicle.

Once we parked, everyone had fun spreading disappearing-purple mosquito repellent on.  It does look weird, doesn't it?!

I didn't take pic's of the fireworks with our little camera; we just enjoyed them from first to last.  Hope you all had a great Independence Day!!

Exciting Times! (It Doesn't Take Much)

It doesn't take much at the Soto household to have an exciting time!  Or to get excited about something!  One night some of us decided to play Settlers of Catan.  The first time I played, I lost.  Then I won the next three times!  The boys never got mad at me for winning, though (thanks, guys!).  They love their mom.  I think it's the "girl" factor--they don't want to be mean to me 'cause I'm the only girl.  I just play quietly and end up winning.  It's a great strategy--now that I've given it away to those of you who may eventually play against me!!  :)

In this particular game (Seafarers of Catan), we were building trade routes everywhere!  The "longest trade route" card (worth two points) passed back and forth from hand to hand throughout the game, and it eventually won me the First Place finish yet again!  Everyone said it was the most exciting game of Settlers they had ever played!  So it was a good time!

Fernando also started spackling the walls in preparation for painting.  He grabbed Joseph, who was willing, and taught him how to do it.  Joseph spackled the whole hallway!  I had to grab the camera for that.  That was the most exciting event of that week!!!

Have a great Lord's Day on Sunday, and I'll post Independence Day photos soon!!  Love to all of you!

Summer Days

I'm sitting here staring at the computer screen, trying not to fall asleep!  There is something about a lazy, hot summer day.  No air-conditioning for us today; it's supposed to be cool tomorrow and so we endure.  But it sure makes me sleepy!

Danny climbed the trees at my parents' home.  Here he is "posing" for the camera.  He is up quite a ways.

I've tried to keep the rabbits from eating their favorite flowers.  I even have garlic growing in my front sun garden.  I'm not sure if the garlic helped, but I found something that works!

Deer Off works for rabbits!  It's expensive and really stinky, but is worth it.  One caveat:  don't attempt to spray it on your flowers when it's windy.

My heliopsis (false sunflower) is blooming!

I'm off to either take a nap or swim in the pool with the boys...

BTW, I scored a 182 in bowling yesterday!  (Not bad for a person with a 105 average!)

Sunday/Monday doings

We had church friends over on Sunday.  Really, they are very normal people.

Fred with shades

Marc with Fred's shades.

After the rain came through.

Then, I noticed that my yucca has bloomed in my backyard sun garden!  Here are a few pictures--one that night, and one from Monday morning.

My veronica looks lovely, too.

Have a great Thursday!  (I'm waiting for Home Depot to call to let us know when they will deliver our new fridge Friday...)

Saturday at the Fred's

Last Saturday, we went to the Fredrickson's to celebrate Evy's graduation from high school.  What a great time!  Temp's in the 80s, lots of great friends, conversation, food, and activities.

I watched Danny charm two little boys who were interested in the badminton equipment.  Oh, for a better camera!

Action pictures can look funny, in my opinion.

Little girls are adorable.

Fernando and I went on to the finals in the water balloon toss contest.  It always helps to have a near-indestructible balloon...

Little boys are adorable, too--even with an Oreo cookie face!

We Soto's had a great time!