Who let the frogs out?

When we went outside to watch fireworks last night, we saw that the streets were covered with frogs, all outside from the rain. A diaper-clad Nate was not afraid to get close and tried to pick a few up.
Cute little hopper

My girls, however, were freaked out and would barely get close enough for a picture. Makes me laugh that their frog ended up with evil eyes in this shot.

Rain on our parade

Yesterday was our first 24th of July celebration here in the Gila Valley. It was pouring rain right before I dropped the girls off to be in the parade. Luckily, it lightened up to a sprinkle for the festivities and even though we were soaked, we had a lot of fun!My little pioneers before the parade and rain!
Our ward's float, the girls were sitting on the opposite side though

I gave up trying to keep Nate dry. I took off his socks, rolled up his pants and let him run through the gutters. Best day of his life.

At the end of the day, we sat on our front yard fence and enjoyed the awesome view we had of the fireworks!

Aloha to David and Mandy!

Before David, Mandy and kids left for Hawaii, we got to have a fun family party complete with movie-going, swimming, lots of cousin time and going to the temple the following day. We will miss you guys but can't wait to come visit!

I had to include this funny little video of Carter showing her rockstar side and cousin Raylin copying her every move. Too cute. Nate sneaks in there too!

AZ Museum for Youth

It had been awile since we took the kids to the youth museum in Mesa. They always have fun there and it is a good indoor option when its 115 outside. Aunt Becky even came along which gave us 1 on 1 supervision, a huge help with crazy Nate!Of course, Carter spotted the mama and baby skunks.
Aunt Becky and the girls try out the x-ray projector
Nate relaxing for a minute, and I mean only a minute. He is a busy boy!

Wimpledon

We Hamblin's had our second kind-of annual Wimbledon tournament (Amy and I voted to rename it WIMPledon). With the little kids cheering us on, we played our matches, only to discover that the grandparents can still beat us all! They are either really good or we are really bad, or both.The whole clan
The kiddos playing on the sidelines. (Nate is trying to steal Jack's sweatband while he's looking the other way)
Carter thinks tennis looks like fun and gives it a try.

Hidden talent

The Bookworm

Carter has been MIA lately and this is why. She can't put the books down!

Fabulous Fourth

A festive breakfast, bike parade, a visit from Auntie Becky, fireworks, lots of red, white & blue-

we love the USA!!