Last day

...before the kids start coming back home. :)  Aaron will be home from camp tomorrow where his band has been playing all week.  Rachel will be home on Saturday after a candy-fueled week at Grandma's.  Dusty took today off of work and we headed to Cincinnati.

First stop the Cincinnati Art Museum.  A nice museum and free which is even better.  Most interesting to me was an exhibit of instruments from around the world from the last 400 years.  We spent some time wandering around and enjoying the fact that the air conditioning was on.

Dusty takes his art seriously!

Next stop...IKEA

Didn't purchase a lot, but it's always fun to stroll through.  

Next we headed to Jungle Jim's.  I can't fully describe what this place is except a grocery store with a huge amount of international foods and odd or unique items....in every variety imaginable.  Some of the odd and unique...

Quail eggs

Some kind of green bean frozen popsicle thingy

Yummy flakes anyone?  Shrimp flavor of course!

And even the normal stuff came in every variety imaginable.  This is one row of the hot sauces.  They were alphabetized.  This is only M-Z

And one of my favorites...olives as far as the eye can see. :)
 (This photo is especially for Paul since I know how much he loves these!)

Next time I'll have to look up some unique recipes so I have an idea of what to buy.  A fun day with my favorite person.

Summertime....

...and the living is easy!  Three of the Hackney 4 headed out to the Morse Reservoir for a cookout for Central Indiana Operation Christmas Child volunteers.  A big thanks to the Anderson family for opening their beautiful home.  We had a tasty dinner and then headed out on the boat for a turn or two around the lake.

Rachel spent the next hour taking it easy with some new friends.

Rough life isn't it?

Then Monica asked me if I wanted to take a turn on the jet ski.  I'm 36 years old and have never been on a one.  She didn't have to work too hard to convince me.  Ton of fun zipping around the lake.  I headed back to the dock and told Dusty that he had to get on too.  Off we went for another go round.  

Beautiful day, beautiful surroundings, and a lot of fun with a great group of people.

Rachel's buddy

Rachel's little buddy Avalyn has been staying with us for a few days this week and the two amigas have kept busy.  They have been shopping with me to Trader Joe's, had ice cream, went swimming, saw "Brave" at the theater, went to the splash pad, played outside until filthy, caught lightening bugs, and went to the fireworks.  Today we took in the splash pad in Avon and then headed out to Pittsboro for their 4th of July celebration.  Yes, I know it's only June 23rd, but just roll with it.

Oh yeah, & someone lost another tooth!

Father's Day

Here's our 2012 Father's Day photo for you to enjoy...

We finished up a relaxing, slow paced day with a trip to the Ice Barn.  They were a little heavy handed on the flavoring tonight...much to the delight of my kiddos!

Aaron got a Bulldog Bite which is a super sour grape concoction.  Here's a reaction shot after a big slurp of mostly syrup.  However he loves sour stuff so this was right up his alley and he kept on slurping!

Chillaxin'

Spent a relaxing evening out in McCloud Nature Park hanging out by the creek with the Painter peeps.  Creekside picnic while the kids waded got soaked in the creek.  Showers with anti-bacterial soap were to follow.

Artsy tree

Artsy Dusty??

9:00 PM on the cul-de-sac

Getting close to the 1st day of summer and that means it's still light outside at 9PM and the joint is still hopping. :)

In other breaking news of the evening, Dusty has a list of suggested health-related things to do that the wellness committee at his work handed out.  One of them....try a new fruit or veggie.  So we busted out a pomegranate.  The verdict....kind of like eating tiny grape with the seed still in it.  Will throw some pomegranate seeds in my smoothie tomorrow.

Bible School Time

It's Vacation Bible School week.  Rachel is in the 1st & 2nd grade class.  Aaron is helping in the Pre-K class and I'm back in the kitchen....with a new bandanna every day! :)

Just Because..

I realized that I haven't put anything new up here in over a week I give you......wait for it.....a photo of part of our dinner last night.  Chicken stir-fry made with these lovely fresh veggies that Rachel will now show off for you.

And for you viewing enjoyment - random shots from the canal in Indy.  Taken while on a date with my wonderful hubby.  Outdoor dining, live music, and a stroll around the canal. Perfect!