PLAY TIME

TODAY WE DECIDED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND HAVE SOME FUN TOGETHER AS A FAMILY. SO WE WENT AND GOT SOME MC DONALDS DOLLAR ITEMS AND WENT TO THE PARK. IT WAS SO MUCH FUN. WE ATE, PLAYED, AND I WISH A NAP FOLLOWED... BUT UNFORTUNATELY ELI WAS THE ONLY LUCKY ONE WHO FELL ASLEEP! NOW I HAVE TO GET THESE CRAZY KIDS ASLEEP FOR THE NIGHT, WISH ME LUCK:)

A VISIT FROM THE PACY FAIRY!

ELI WENT TO THE DENTIST FOR THE FIRST TIME ON THURSDAY AND IT WAS GRACIES 2ND VISIT...BOTH WERE CAVITY FREE. WHICH IS A HUGE FEET FOR MY LITTLE ONES PROVIDED ALL THE CANDY AND TREATS THEY SNEAK:) BUT WE DID HAVE BAD NEWS THEIR PACI'S ARE TOTALLY MESSING UP THE ALIGNMENT OF THEIR TEETH! SO THE PACI'S HAVE TO GO! THIS IS NO LITTLE MATTER IN OUR HOUSE. I RELY ON THE PACI'S AS MUCH AS THE LITTLE ONES TO HELP SETTLE DOWN TEMPERS AND GET THEM TO SLEEP EASIER. BUT I HAD TO DO SOMETHING AND NOW I HAD PROFESSIONAL BACK UP (THE DENTISTS)! IT WAS TIME TO ROUND UP THE LITTLE CULPRITS AND HAVE A VISIT FROM THE PACI FAIRY! I GAVE THEM ONE MORE NIGHT WITH THE LITTLE SUCKERS BUT THE NEXT DAY WE ROUNDED THEM ALL UP. PUT THEM IN A BAG AND HUNG THEM ON A TREE FOR THE PACI FAIRY. SHE IS REALLY FAST TOO. IT WASN'T BUT A MINUTE AND SHE FLEW OFF WITH HER BAG OF PACI'S AND LEFT A SPECIAL NIGHT TIME FRIEND FOR THE LITTLE ONES TO HELP THEM SLEEP. GRACE AND E WERE SO EXCITED...THEY LOVE THEIR LITTLE SNUGGLE FRIENDS AND ACTUALLY DID PRETTY WELL FOR THE FIRST NIGHT W/OUT A PACI. GRACE WAS A BIT MORE UPSET THEN E'. SHE JUST KEEP SAYING..."OH NO, MY PACI IS ALL GONE, I DON'T WANT TO BE A BIG GIRL". BUT SHE GOT THRU W/ A LITTLE HELP FROM HER BIG SISSY! SO ALL IS WELL AND PACI FREE IN THE RISON HOUSE, CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW NAP TIME GOES....SAY A PRAYER FOR US:)

PARADE TIME!

THE CHICKEN FESTIVAL IS OUR LITTLE TOWNS BIG HULLABALOO OF THE YEAR AND EVERY ONE COMES OUT FOR THE CLOSING PARADE. MISS DIANE LIVES ON THE PARADE ROUTE AND INVITED US TO SIT AND WATCH AT HER HOME. SHE EVEN PROVIDED THE LITTLE ONES WITH BAGS FOR CANDY (WHICH OF COURSE I FORGOT-THANKS DIANE). THIS WAS ELI'S FIRST PARADE AND IT TOOK A WHILE FOR HIM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. BUT ONCE THE CANDY STARTED FLYING HE FIGURED IT OUT REAL QUICK. BESIDES THE CANDY HE WAS TOTALLY INTO THE FIRETRUCKS AND COOL CARS! GRACIE COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY PRINCESSES LIVED IN OUR LITTLE TOWN. AND ALONG WITH DADDY AND UNCLE DAVEY WE ALL WAITED TO SEE FAITH, DAVEY, AND AUNTIE KA ON THEIR FLOAT! AND IT WAS OVER AS QUICKLY AS IT STARTED. CLICK TO LOOK AT MORE PICS.

http://picasaweb.google.com/jen.rison/PARADE71507

Chicken Fest

This weekend was the chicken fest and so I took the kids to ride some rides! Gracie my thrill seeker had no problem loading onto the tilt-a-whirl then the swings... The big girls had their hearts set on winning a hermit crab, thankfully none did! E and Gracie played the fishing game and won squeaky hammers. I don't know what I was thinking getting hammers w/ my crazy kids. They started right off bonking each others heads and fighting. We had a great time and today were heading off to the parade.

Lemonade Stand

You gotta love the generosity of kids. Jordan (my niece) wanted to have a lemonade stand and found out thru Sunquist if you vow to give your proceeds to charity they send you a cool lemonade stand. So with recipe in hand Grammy took Jordan and Hannah and Em to buy the ingredients. Jordie researched charities and found an orphanage in China and specifically a boy who when turns 14 will have to leave the orphanage. So all three girls made the best hand squeezed lemonade I've ever had. They made $10 in just a 1 1/2. They were so proud and appreciative. So the money is off to China to make a difference...because of three little girls. They make us so proud!

Sauder's Camping Trip

Today Gracie, E, and I went up to Sauder's camp ground where Grammy and crapa (gracie's word for grandpa) were, to swim. The pool and hot tub were so relaxing...well I'm sure they would be if it weren't for my little independent EI who wants to do everything himself...even swim. What he doesn't realize is that if it weren't for momma holding him up he would not stay above water too long! Gracie is my little fish and loves to swim and it was so good to see my em who's been w/ Grammy and papa since yesterday! After swimming we went back to the camp site and Grammy and papa made hamburgers and hot dogs. There is something about camping food it always seems to taste better. After dinner Gracie and Davey stole Jordan's baby dolls to play house in the pop-up while Em and Jordie played brats and Hannah went around documenting every ones movements!...Once we left we stopped by Auntie Lou's house for a short visit. Eli had a blast w/ some old matchbox cars lou picked up from a garage sale and Gracie played w/ ria and her princess toys!

Butterfly House

Today Auntie Ka and I took the little ones to the butterfly house for a special day. Grammie and Pappa Rison took the older ones camping so to ease the pain we decided to have a special mommy day! Our first stop was Mc Donalds for a lunch treat and play. Then we were off to the Butterfly house. We were in awe of all the butterflies fluttering around our heads. They were so beautiful! If you get a chance check out our pics . http://picasaweb.google.com/jen.rison/ButterflyHouse71107?authkey=RADVyypASeI

4th of July at Auntie Cindi's

We went to Auntie Cindy's for a 4th of July picnic. This year we had 2 extra special reasons to celebrate. Cousin Davo was home from Iraq and Cousin Dana's miracle baby Jeremiah (3days old) joined the celebration. We ate and played all day and the night ended with our own firework celebration put on by our very own hero of the day...David. We had such a wonderful time visiting with all our family. Davo will be heading back soon and he will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers!

JULY 3RD FIREWORKS

Today we went to Swanton to watch fireworks. Auntie Ka, Davey, and Faith came along... as well as cousin Kelly too. The kids played with their beach ball and of course found many new friends! Once it became dark enough the festivities began. Emma and Grace were in awe and little E' couldn't keep his eyes off the booming lights in the sky!

Daddy's Birthday

For Daddy's Birthday we kidnapped him away from his work and took him to Oak Openings to rest relax and be with the family. We made a special picnic lunch and brought along a birthday cake. After we ate we took a nice walk around the lake and then drove to the sand dunes and played in the sand. We had a great time spending time together as a family away from the distractions of life!