When I grow up, I want to be...

 ...an American Ninja Warrior! Have you watched that show? It's full of men and women, who work their bodies to the limit and do AMAZING things! They dangle by their finger tips over water traps. They climb the undersides of stairs and leap across domino walls. All of this is done in the hopes of being the first American to defeat Mount Madoriamo, the last and most intense obstacle course. And my Jax wants to be one of them!

We know a family here, whose cousin is Brent Steffenson, the best of the best in Ninja Warrior land. He is Jaxson's new hero and how I wish we lived in a big place where we could get him parkour  classes. As it is he climbs walls in our home and makes his own "obstacles".

The final event in the qualifying round is called the warped wall. It's a 14 ft wall that circles back on itself, making it really difficult to run up. Jax found some old, unused floor joists, and the Hadley warped wall was born!

FORE!!

Every year in July, Cory's company hosts a golf tournament to benefit the Lineman's Burn Fund. It's a great cause and it's always good to support charity, not to mention that its a fun date night. Evanston has a beautiful golf course that has plenty of challenges. And we improved this year, only going 11 over par! :P

It is finished...

Waiting in line to go into Energy Solutions Arena

 My biggest regret of the day was not getting a shot with my cute family. :( They were a big part of getting me to this day, but that aside, it was wonderful. Lots of love from friends and family and I got to meet my mentor, who just happened to be sitting two rows back and across the aisle from me (what are the odds!!). What a good day.

My mentor Dana. She was a big part of my success.

Oh say can you see...

The 4th of July is one of my favorite holidays. There is nothing like the swelling of your heart, with pride in your country, that occurs when the fireworks light and the patriotic hymns play. *sigh* I'm proud to live in this great nation.

This year was a bit different for us. We got a late start and didn't make it to the parade, although we did have patriotic pancakes, so I think we get an A for effort.

We had a lazy day at home which was nice, then spent the evening playing at the park with the kids and watched the fireworks. All in all a good day.

 We had stars and stripes, although I did forget to account for the mirror effect, hence the military patch flags!

 Fireworks!

 And this is what happens when you get a big glob of blue dye that didn't get mixed in in the middle of your pancake! Daddy says it looks like she's been licking smurfs!

 Ms. Kena got a patriotic up do. She was so cute and wouldn't lay on her head all day for fear of messing it up. This picture is actually about 4 hours after it was done, so it held up pretty well I'd say!

 We BBQ'd with dad and it was awesome. Pork chops and grilled corn. Yum! This is Liv and I watching daddy, and despite the look on her face, she really was enjoying herself!

 Getting ready to watch the fireworks. Trace was so excited this year.

 All the crazies!

 This is my favorite shot of the whole evening. Some people next to us brought firworks to do while we waited, and I caught Kena mid "Oh my gosh!!"

 Mommy's little fruit snack junky. We took a few munchies and unfortunately Olivia has learned to come to Mom and Dad alternately. She love fruit snacks and we didn't realize until we got home that she had downed half a box all by herself!

 Watching the fireworks!