Our First Family Camping Adventure Post 1

I have always been blessed to have an extended family that spends lots of time together.  Every year either Christmas or Thanksgiving is celebrated as an extended family.  I have many memories of Easter, 4th of July, Labor Day, New Years, and lots of other "days" with my grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.  We have many fun family traditions that I am so excited to be passing down to my boys.  One of the fun things that we have done for years (I think the first one was in 1985 which made me 4) is to go camping altogether.  For years this included my grandparents, most of my aunts and uncles, and most of the 17 grandchildren.  Over the years, the numbers have fluctuated some but the biannual camping trip continues.  This was my families first time to go.  Besides being Elijah and Kyle's first camping trip, it was also Ricky's first time to give camping a try.  We only got to camp for 2 of the 5 days as we had  a wedding to attend on Saturday but we had a lot of fun those two days! I think that Elijah was born to camp! 

We spent Tuesday night with my grandparents in Great Bend, KS.  They were unable to attend the camping trip this year so we were glad to get to see them for a day.  We took the boys to Great Bend's new water park.  Unfortunately, I was so busy playing that I didn't get pictures of the fun evening but here is a picture of the main play area.  

Our Loaded Car

Kyle ready to go get Elijah from Grandpa-pa and Grandmother's

Setting up Camp:

Elijah helping my Uncle Tim

Kyle helping everyone. . .or at least trying to 

Ricky and my cousin Austin finishing up our tent

My parents trying to remember how the tent goes together

Our Home Away From Home. . .Elijah woke up on Thursday morning a little delirious as he had fallen asleep on my cousin Alex the night before and we carried him into the tent.  He was so excited when he woke up and saw the lake and realized where he was.  He looked at me and said, "Mommy, I love our new home!" 

Ricky and Alex's round of Badminton. . .they had two little helpers

Mom and Dad preparing Dinner Wednesday night
Kyle and Ricky enjoying camping. . .

Uncle Russ and Cousin Austin

Aunt Diane, Aunt Debbie and Elijah

Ricky got this beautiful picture Wednesday night

Our Summer Post 3

We went to a Dillas game.  It was awfully hot but once the sun went down we enjoyed ourselves. 

Elijah really does NOT enjoy taking pictures.  This is the best one we could get.  .but I LOVE it! 

I got to see a very dear friend of mine from high school, Mandy and her husband, Anthony.  And, I got to meet her beautiful little girl Kherrington.  

She was hungry and ready for Mommy by the time we got to picture taking.  haha

Elijah went to stay with my parents for a week.  I had never realized how much Elijah entertains Kyle.  He definitely missed his brother and was glad to see him when we picked him up! Here are a few pictures of what Kyle did while Elijah was gone: 

Played cymbals while wearing a fancy costume

He played with this empty bubbles bottle for about an hour.  But, the thing that amazes me the most is how he is sitting. . .wish I could do that! :) 

 

 A good friend of mine convinced me to do a mini-spring marathon with her at the Town Club.  While I was a competitive swimmer in my youth, I haven't swam in years.  I hadn't ridden a bike since junior high.  And still, I agreed.  

Pre-race

Kallie, Missy, Becky, and Kennedy(she competed in the youth race)

Swimming. . .I won this part for the females! wahoo

Biking . . .this part took me FOREVER!! Don't ya love my $10 Target helmet!  hehe

Heading out for the run. . . this part was amazingly not bad

Heading to the finish line. . . 

After the race with my medal. . .I am very proud of my finishers medal  even if Ricky does say it is celebrating mediocracy! hehe 

I had NEVER imagined that I would enjoy this event but I did.  Becky won, I got 6th, and Missy got 8th! We have all decided we will do another triathlon. . .just actually train first! :) 

Our Summer Post 2

July 4th

We had a great day together as a family.  We enjoyed the Canyon Parade, pop-its, sparklers, strawberry short cake, and the city display.

Kyle was getting frustrated in his stroller but I really didn't want him out as I knew he would wander off(which he did at one point later in the morning) so Elijah was entertaining him with his favorite song! Sweet Brother! 

Daddy and Uncle Mikal in the Chop Chop car! I didn't think about the problems this would pose before hand. . .the boys had small meltdowns after Daddy drove by. 

This was a huge day for Elijah.  He is very sound sensitive but after a little while really enjoyed the pop-its.  

We also did some smoke bombs.  Elijah's initial reaction to the announcement of what we were about to do:

And then:

(if you look closely, his eyes are close but he really was excited!)

Kyle thoroughly enjoyed the fireworks display.  Elijah was ready to go home which is the reason we have no pictures of him watching.  He wasn't in the best of moods at that point in the day! :) 

Our Summer Post 1

I have been absolutely awful about blogging this summer.  I really thought not teaching everyday would give me more time to do so but that has yet to happen.  So, here is a quick overview of our summer. 

We made Jell-O Jigglers.  Elijah called his Patrick and refused to eat him for about 15 minutes.  Kyle on the other hand enjoyed his immediately. 

The boys prefer me to fill up this container with water over their swimming pool.  They entertain themselves for hours like this. . . even if it is a little gross! :) 

My sister-in-law was in Borger for a week so we drove up to visit her and her beautiful kids.  We had a great time at the splash pad.  We went out to eat at JT's and had snow cones.  It was a fun day.  Our niece Jaimee got to come home with us and stay the night.  Elijah thinks she is pretty special! :) 

Kyle finally got in as we were getting ready to leave. 

Sure wish I knew what these two were talking about! :)

Elijah does this with ANY kind of water. . .he was teaching Jonah the skill. . .not sure Stef was thrilled about that one! 

Our sweet, little niece, Jocelyn

Beautiful Jaimee

Kyle Bear

Take 1. . .there were a lot of these . . .

Take 15?. . .at least

My Dear Husband

Yesterday, I took the boys to the zoo in the morning.  Since Ricky didn't go to work until 11, that left him with some time alone at the house.  If you aren't my friend on facebook or you don't have a facebook, here is what he did to occupy his time.  I found this on the computer later that day! 

He seriously quotes this movie all the time but recording songs from it, this is new! :) If you don't know the song, it is off of Nacho Libre with Jack Black.