This was how the sky looked last night after a big thunderstorm. The whole sky looked like a bunch of cotton balls, it was really neat. The second picture my son pointed out...look closely...it resembles an angel.

Hmmmmm...I think that's why we didn't get the softball size hail they predicted. That's what my son thinks too.

My family grew by 3 the last couple of days. The extra children are the kids of our great friends. We met this family when we first moved to Yankton, 13 years ago. We trade babysitting, as well as shopping tactics, recipes, etc. As you can see, their kids are the same age and gender as our kids. So it's an instant bond. Their mom and dad are teachers and had to go back to school a couple of days earlier than the kids so they set up camp at our house. It was fun although I truly don't know how people who actually have 6 children do it! But the girls played dress-up and the boys played football and I just held down the fort. Shewww, I made it. I'm so glad we have such good friends.

This weekend is kind of like our last hurrah before school starts. It's Riverboat Days here in Yankton, where the town of 18,000 suddenly swells to 100,000. My girls dance tonight...which meant a week of dress rehearsals and run thru's. Tomorrow morning I'm running the 5K...it's a great race which goes along the parade route so lots of people cheering us on. Then the huge parade, then it's down to the river for lots of food, shopping at the hundreds of booths and letting the kids go crazy with the "kid" stuff. My son plays in a 3-on-3 basketball tournie. The night brings a sitter for the kids, my hubby and I and friends head back down to listen to Kory and the fireflies and partake in the adult festivities. Sunday we usually go back again for more food. Those darn funnel cakes...I love 'em.

So it's our annual tradition of saying goodbye to summer before school starts next week. It's a great time, we look forward to it every year. Seems like we were just there last year. I've said it before...the summer months go way too fast...

My 2nd grader was in my room watching me change my clothes into a new outfit.

"You're a hottie, mommy. I want to be just like you."

Where in the world did the word hottie come from? Another sign that my 2nd grader knows more than I think she does!

i'm in the prime of senior picture season...this is one of the appointments I had this weekend. I loved these. She has been dancing since she was 3...just like my girls...I think her mom will cry when she sees these photos. I know I would. Just wanted to share them with you...

This is a beautiful spot out by Lewis & Clark Lake we discovered just last week. I can't tell you how many times we have driven the sign "The House Of Mary Shrine" and just kept going. 13 years in Yankton and never once took this in until now. A couple of friends were talking about how cool this was. We decided to meet there one afternoon and I was totally impressed! Along the highway there are 3 huge crosses up on the bluffs, you can't miss them. Well, this place takes you up that hill until you are right up with those crosses with the view of the lake. The kids were so amazed they were up with the crosses they have seen from the highway so many times before. Next time you are in the area, you must take this in. We're going again very soon!

It has suddenly become extra-busy around the McClure house. My son started football camp, VBS at church, dance rehearsals for Riverboat Days, our new bathroom is almost done,my business is booming and still managing to get in those long runs for the half in 5 weeks (or is it 4 now...) And now I have decided to repaint the basement. But what has been cool has been this awesome quality time my bh and I have had. The kids are all at their acitvites at the same time for 3 hours this week so we've done things together that we don't usually get to do. Last night we ran with the dog together along the beach. The night before we biked the nature trail. We did some work around the house together. We' ve had so much fun together. So all these activities are not only great for the kids, they're good for the parents too!! Tomorrow we are heading to the lake with friends for a day of relaxing...because with all the chaos, we can always find time to spend by the water playing in the sand!

It's an annual tradition...one summer weekend, my son gets to stay with his grandma and grandpa in Sioux Falls. They go to baseball games, the movies, the watershow, retaurants and he gets to pick out his favorite Playstation2 game. He loves it. He got his weekend a month ago and this year, we decided the girls should have a turn. so this was their first weekend away by themselves in Sioux Falls. We picked them up on Sunday and I truly don't think they missed us at all! They got a pedicure/manicure, went to Rataouille, McDonalds and the watershow. They loved it. My stepmom gave each little one ankle bracelets as a reminder of their first stay with them. I love the memories they come home with. As the kids say, grandma and grandpa are the best!

Yes, they are.