Wanna see an animal or two?

Well with the summer break quickly coming to an end, and the kids getting tired of doing things at home I thought we better utilize our time wisely. So a gal at church had told me about this fun little children's farmstead in Overland Park Kansas. The best part was that it was FREE, so I figured that would justify the short half hour drive there. We got there right as it opened and so we got to see the cow milking demonstration. They even had a big cow statue with working utters and so the kids could see what it was like to milk a cow. The kids wouldn't pose for a picture while doing that!! Darn it. They really enjoyed feeding bottles to the goats, and Luke has not had a bottle in 3 months so I wasn't sure how he was going to react to the sight of one!! Luckily he didn't even recognize it.


Funny I don't remember them being so delighted to feed their little brother a bottle...guess a goat is a little different??!! We packed a lunch and had a picnic lunch and then headed home. I was quite surprised at how fun this little farmstead was and how much there was to do and look at! The boys all had a blast....and on any outing with kids that makes for a successful outing.

VBS

Well this week was a very fun filled BUSY week. Since I wasn't sure about our summer plans I wasn't sure if one or both of the boys would be out of town for the event so I didn't volunteer to help out until the last minute when I knew both my boys were going to be attending VBS at Summit Woods. Therefor workers were needed in the toddler and baby rooms. So naturally I was put in with the 2 year olds, but God was working on my side this past week because all 16 YES 16 two year olds were very well behaved (for the most part) and were a very great bunch of kids!! I went home a little frazzled and looking like I had just been through a tornado, but hey I had fun and I think they did too. Although as the week grew on you could tell they were getting tired of coming to the same 4 workers and seeing the same room and the same toys....it is hard being 2!!

Kaleb and Mason had a W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L time and were so wide awake are rearing to go in the mornings!! By noon when it was time to go they were so pumped and loving all the stuff they did that it was the topic of each and every conversation the rest of the day!! I think Mason wasn't to into the singing and dancing aspect of it but he loved playing outside and going to different stations! His favorite part of VBS was of course snack! I always love to see how powerful VBS can be and how it gets them so excited about the word of God...

They ended the week with a program for the parents!! I of course was told that night I would be standing on stage with the two year olds trying to get them to stay in a line and perform their songs!!! YIKES. Nice pictures huh...I think I was more entertainment for the parents than the kids were!!
PRAISE GOD FOR A WODERFUL GOD FILLED WEEK!!

Home Away From Home!

This past week we went on vacation to San Antonio, our home away from home. After being in the south for almost 7 years, we just can't wait to get back there for good. We stayed the week with Clark's parents and the boys soaked up all the Papa and Grandma time they could soak up. We also made sure that we were there for at least one Sunday so we could attend our church (I say OUR church since we are still members there.) It was so nice being back there and seeing all the friends we left behind. It felt like we never left and were welcomed with such warm and loving arms. That is quite possibly the reason I had such a bad case of the "HOME SICKNESS" when we returned. After church we were invited to go to lunch with the Eppersons and the Penaluna's and all our kiddos!!! It was so nice talking and getting caught up on what has been going on in each others lives over the last year.

That evening we had a photo shoot with our family and Papa and Grandma. You know how
I LOVE pictures and so I was jumping all over the opportunity.


The rest of the week was spent swimming, visiting Sea World and Six Flags, and relaxing.








Our week in San Antonio seemed to go by a little to fast....sniff sniff. However we all had a really good time and are glad that we made it back for the visit. Our week was closed out by celebrating the 4Th of July with the Epperson's and the Hufty's watching fireworks at La Cantera. It was the perfect evening and the kids were really great! We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends in our lives!

2 Families Together as 1!!

With my dear friend and her families visit coming to a close (sniff sniff) we decided to use the last day to get pictures taken together. Roseann and I have been friends for seventeen years now and have been through lots together. Even though we live a couple thousand miles away, we have managed over the years to maintain a strong bond and friendship. The past three years we have been blessed to be able to see each other at least once each year. We are hoping to be able to continue that and make a visit to Montana next summer. She and her husband have three girls...Eryn is 9, Kaelyn is 7 and Jadyn is almost 6. It is pretty cool how after the 18Th of July we have kids ages 9 (Eryn), 8 (Kaleb), 7 (Kaelyn), 6 (Jadyn), 5 (Mason) and if I wouldn't have waited so long to have Luke we could have had a 4 but we have a 1 (Luke). Just a fun tidbit.



We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends in our lives, and are always amazed at how God places the right kind of people in our paths. Don't know what we would do without them in our lives. Thanks Frahms for a wonderful time during your visit to Missouri....we love and miss you all dearly.

LOADS OF FUN AT WORLDS/OCEANS OF FUN!

Yesterday with our company still in town we decided to go experience the fun of the local amusement/water parks. It actually turned out to be a really REALLY good day, and a fun time was had by all. Although I still think Sea world and Six Flags in San Antonio are better, it was nice and the kids loved it all. Luke even loved seeing the Snoopster!!

Kaleb whom is not a fan of rides or anything with a hill bigger than two feet actually went on some pretty big rides!!! I think it was mainly the influence of Roseann's girls that made him feel pressured into it, but in the end he really did enjoy himself.

Mason is our little daredevil and would have went on every ride there had he met the height restrictions!! However he did enjoy the kids rides just as much.

I am so glad that Luke enjoyed himself on some of the rides too. I think he was having so much fun that it was HARD for me to get him to lay down in the stroller and nap for a little while. Think he thought he was going to miss out on to much if he closed his eyes at all.

After lunch we decided it was time for a break and to go cool down. The water park was our favorite part, although it is a little harder to keep track of six little kids in the water. It was a nice cool down and break for us all.

After we were nice and cooled off it was back to the park for more rides to close out a very busy and productive day.

Needless to say as much fun as we all had....we were very pooped that night and the next day. Luke is only an example of what we all looked like on the way home that evening.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

With our friends in town, we figured it would be fun for the dads to go and have a relaxing morning and enjoy a round of golf. So that is what the guys did for the better part of the morning/afternoon. My friend and I decided that we could handle all the kids out in public. Mind you she has three girls 8,7, and 5. Then there was me with the three boys. I think that the stores saw us coming and were wishing they could quickly lock the doors!! Okay so they were actually quite well behaved, but man were we pooped by the time we got back home and were probably only gone for an hour. I am thinking there is no way I could have SIX kids. So once the guys got home from golfing we decided we would go have a nice fun dinner out. So we went to the T-Rex resturant. For those of you who might have visited a Rain Forest Cafe...it is along the same lines of that only with dinasours and ocean life.



We got seated under a big jellyfish...the kids thought this place was sooooo cool. Especially when they got their huge dino bone slushies!!!

We even mentioned that we were celebration Mason's birthday (since his actual birthday was the next day), so he got to enjoy a nice ice cream treat!

Happy Father's Day to my dear husband who works so hard to provide for his children!! You are a wonderful father!!

Mason is now legal...

Well legal to go to school full time!! I can't believe that it has been a while FIVE years since I met my little (BIG) ten pounder! He has been such a joy and well is the clown of the family. He has a jokster personality, but can switch and be so serious at the drop of a hat. I often think that it would be interesting to be a fly on the wall in his classroom, then again that might not be the best of ideas. We celebrated his birthday with some very dear friends from Montana. We were so grateful that they were able to come and visit and be here for the great celebration. We set up the slip n slides and the kiddos had a blast.



He got more than he needed and some stuff that we could do without (thanks Roseann for the MONKEY). But he was most excited about his new bike! Funny story about purchasing it...the bike is called 'Major Pain'...so when I went to pay for it at Toy R Us the cashier gets on the intercom and announces that she needs "Major Pain in a box to register 1!" Needless to say it caused a few laughs and comments, but the best one was the lady behind me who said I must really be asking for punishment! I am sure there were a few customers who were offering me THEIR major pains already assembled and for free!! LOL

All in all it was a wonderful celebration...and it was also one of those that lasted longer than twenty-four hours! Happy Birthday Mason in the Middle we love you!

Slip slidn away....

Summer has finally arrived...well okay so it isn't officially the summer season but the weather was nice enough to break out the slip n slide. The boys have been missing the warm Texas weather and have been asking to put up the pool since March. Need I have to remind them that we are in the Midwest and well that just wasn't going to happen. It was a long few months between March and May...with my little water bugs wanting to get WET!!

Now that the weather has warmed up (seemed like we were never going to get out of winter), I can't keep them from getting water wrinkles! Now that Luke is older he is getting to experience more things for the first time, and he was right in there with his older brothers. Was not such a pretty sight when I finally had to break down and bring him in for his afternoon nap!!

I am such a blessed mother of three amazing boys, who love to keep me on my toes. Wouldn't have it any other way!

Take me out to the ball game........

I love baseball season and being able to sit in the bleachers and cheer for my guy # 5. As I was growing up I was athletic, playing basketball and volleyball but I never dreamed I would be such a big fan of baseball. I love being outside watching the little boys have so much fun on the field.

Kaleb daddy and Mason have all enjoyed going to watch the Kansas City Royals play....although their record isn't the best Kaleb is becoming quite a huge Royals fan. Mason on the other hand is staying true to his roots and is a die hard Rangers fan. I think he just likes going for the BIG HOT DOGS!!!

Anyway I guess I will have many many days at the ball park if all three of my boys like playing ball. TAKE ME OUT TO THE OLD BALL GAME!!!

Sigh Tear...Look who's A YEAR!!

Oh what a bittersweet day today was. My baby boy Luke is officially no longer a baby as he turned the big ONE YEAR old today. What a fast year it has been but definatly one of many laughs, kisses, hugs, bumps, bruises, and tears. I have enjoyed watching Luke grow from an infant to a toddler, and have given thanks to the Lord everyday for the joy he has brought to our family. He gets so much love from his big brothers, and as I watch them play and laugh together I can't help but fast forward to the days when they are grown and playing with their own children. Okay no wait lets go back...I want to keep them little forever!! Seriously I hope that they are brothers that are friends for life!

Well I hope that the next year of Luke's life brings so much more to our lives...to think that in only 364 days he will be TWO! Will be having a small family party for him on Saturday for him to get down and dirty with cake!! YUMMY....will post more later.

Spring Break w/o the SPRING!!

Well we managed to make it to "spring", but are still wondering where it is. Texas really spoiled us, and we are not adjusting to this mid-west weather very well. Okay so Clark can't stand not being able to wear his shorts year round, and I am dying to break out the flip-flops!! So for our spring break we decided to go stay at a lodge in Kansas City...whew the drive was torturous!! LOL Anyway it was fun letting the boys loose in the big indoor water park. At least we got to pretend that the weather was spring/summer like. They had a blast and as worried as they were that the Easter Bunny wasn't going to find them, that was all water under the bridge when they woke to Easter baskets on their hotel beds!! We are so thankful for that day and are forever grateful for His love.