Missouri Trip

Missouri Trip in July to visit the fam:

We were in Columbia when Justin finished his VERY LAST assignment for his specialist degree! YAHOO!! We were able to see Uncle Greg at lunch on the way out of St.Louis. Nate was at a summer camp during the week of our visit.

We spent a few days at Gramp and Nana's lakehouse.  Fun fun!

The kids got their fill of the wave runner and riding the tube pulled behind it.

 Riding horses. Yee haw!

 The first few days he didn't want to go in because it was too cold. When it warmed up and he finally got in, he loved swimming everywhere.

 Swimmy swimmy.

 Isaac jumping off the dock.

 Justin gearing up for the big jump.

 And he did it!

 A Karsen jump.

 Noodle roundup.

 Ahhh....thanks for all the wonderful food Nana!

 Luci came with us this year. This was her seat for a while during the 12 hour road trip.

 Just playin at a roadside lookout in Lake of the Ozarks.

 We took one day and had some action on the strip. The kids have never been there. The weather was cold and overcast which was awesome for putt putting. Boys vs girls. Girls won....I'm pretty sure. If not, it sounds good!

 Olivia and Aleah.

 We also rode race cars.  It was the first time Aleah had ever driven. I'm sure Olivia may have had butterflies also. It was her first time ever riding with a non-adult. :-)

 Lunch out.

 The gang in front of putt putt sign. 

 Olivia got a hole in one on this!! Even with the rock!!!! It was truly amazing!

 Whoop whoop for Aunt Katie!

 This is how you hold a fish. You try.

 Oops!

This is how you pick a fish up. (Elias laughed real hard when it fell.)

 And there's the fish you caught. Wa la!

 Late to bed, early to rise!

 All the kids did lots and lots of fishing. Isaac got real good at taking the fish off the hooks. 

 Party time on wave runner! ...and oh how I remember the picture of Justin and I on the wave runner in college before we were even dating....now there are these guys!

 After two days of having 20-25 people at the lakehouse (no pictures for some reason...maybe too much going on???) Luci finally got to catch up on some rest. 

 These were the items Olivia and Karsen were selling at their store.

 Elias spent an entire day in the hot tub. By himself or with 8 other kids...it didn't matter. After all that time, he was finally comfortable putting his face under.

 First time Nana and all her brothers and sisters have been together in a long time.

 The videos I took were much funnier than the pictures...he he he

 Randy's Custard after putt putt and race cars.

 "I'm so strong I can carry you on my back...." Sorta.

 Sharing his little find with cousin Aleah.

 He can still only take so much fun. He slept here until the third firework boom woke him up.

 Gramp and Nana invested in this "little" water toy....GREAT choice!

It was super great to see everyone again! Thanks Gramp and Nana for putting so much effort into everyone having a fun time! It paid off! We are very thankful for you both!

4th of July, VBS, and Water

Before the kids went back to school, we took a day trip to Kentucky Splash. It was mucho fun.

 Elias loved this waterslide. Olivia liked the one like this for adults, and Isaac liked the enclosed tubular ones. I liked the lazy river. I'm pretty sure Justin liked it all. 

 I was getting our things together to go meet E and J. When I turned around, I found them like this. Made me laugh. Random place to lay.

 We splurged and got dippin dots before we left.

 Car ride home.

 I thought this was funny. Justin couldn't stand another day with Elias' toenails painted. Justin is taking it off with fingernail polish remover....and Elias is crying.

 The kids went to two vacation bible schools this summer.  They enjoyed it. Isaac is in 1st pic, Olivia the 2nd. When Elias' group went up to sing, he sat on the step and I couldn't get a pick of him.

 Tara, I tried to get this pic lots of times without it being blurry....The blur is Olivia's friend Maria who wouldn't stand still... ha ha ha.

 For 4th of July, we went to the river near Gatlinburg to hang out with our neighbors. O&E helped Cadie hang her hammock.

 Weeeeeee.....

 The water was super rushing from all the rain (and super cold), but we had a small spot that was more calm for the kids to play.

 Chris and Erin. We love em!!

 Like this???

 I couldn't believe Kristin went under! It was too cold for me to even put my feet in up to my ankles without my heart starting to pound! 

 I think they were trying to be tough guys.

 But deep down, they are a barrel of monkeys!

 Isaac ventured out to Kristin's hammock. It made me nervous (the water was fast!), but I tried not to show it....I'm glad he made it!

 Elias spent a long time with Cadie in the hammock so he could play with and twirl her hair.

 Excuse the bum...Isaac was building a rock dam.

 Teamwork to get Olivia's shoes back on her feet!

 Chris' ebenezer.

And then Townsend fireworks followed. We are so blessed to have such kind and fun neighbors!

Other Randomness

Luci loves giving Aunt Tara hugs. They strike up quite the conversations with each other every time she comes for a visit. I think it's Luci's "I've missed you" wail.

I made these cakes for our neighbor's birthday.

 Olivia made this with the left overs.

 I told them to keep the suckers in the kitchen.....I think they are pushing the limit...but still cute together.

 Isaac fishing at G&G's.

 This picture is not filled with bells and whistles, but it took a long time to get believe it or not. Thanks Tara!

 Luci is like our little teenager at night time. She never wants to get up for the last pee before bed. Justin trying to pull her off the couch but she won't budge.

 Isaac sleeping again. He he he.

Father son bonding. 

 Maybe we should buy Grandma a bucket for when we all come over??

 The last ice creaming before leaving G&G's house.

 Not sure. But pretty.

 Splash pad lunch after play.