Panko Family: July 2015

As it's not finished and so much has happened this is the first part of our summer vacation. It certainly has been eventful. The day after Jim's birthday we drove to NC to see my Uncle Larry. We usually go in the Spring but the last time we did it was still snowing and my mom didn't like that.

The weather was gorgeous, as always, but soon after we arrived James busted his chin open on the stone steps. I felt awful but, as always, my mom was there to take us to the hospital, hold my hand, and be the level headed one, whereas I'm trying not to cry because my baby is hurt and bleeding... I hate that helpless feeling! But alas after an hour and two stitches later they send us home. (Didn't I say that it's a miracle that James made it to 2 with no stitches?!) He has no fear! Even after the stitches he still climbed the ladder on the bunk beds to play with Kalib and Kevin. We had to lock the door and only allow him in there at bedtime! He was much more cautious around the steps though, thank goodness.

It amazes me how different Kevin and James are! Even at this age! For the Fourth of July we hung out with my Aunt Ramona and Uncle Duane. We had sparklers and watched Uncle Larry's neighbors shoot some fireworks off of their driveway. James chased after the kids with the sparklers and he ran toward the neighbor's house to get a better look at their fireworks! Kevin hated fireworks until he was four! Then Oliver convinced him that they were cool and now he does enjoy them... But he definitely didn't run towards them to get a better look!

After the Fourth of July we drove to Pennsylvania to see our cousins Bekah, Heath, and their baby Adam. Angela and her kids were already there because Oliver and Kennedy were both accepted into Dance Camps. Kevin, James, and I stayed with my best friend from the fifth grade, Jenn and her family. Of course, we also got to visit with Emma who is pregnant with her first child!

We all had a lot of fun! It was a bummer that Jim couldn't be with us though. He stayed behind building shelves, hanging out with Julius, and going to work. However, we called and skyped with each other at least once a day. When we got back home James was so happy to see his daddy that he hugged him and would not let go for at least five minutes. Of course, Kevin really missed him too and towards the end of our trip talked of nothing else but wrapping Jim in a giant hug before he did anything else.

Here are some things we did on our trip...

Kids hanging out in the bedroom once we got to Larry's...