ON THE GO!!!!

We've been on the go non-stop for the past 10 days or so. It amazes me how quickly time flies by!!

The weekend after the 4th kept us home, which was a nice change. Jake spent Saturday playing with his friend Paul & they ended up at the Transformers movie that afternoon. Allie & I stuck around the house & managed to get a lot of housework done. She is quite the little helper. On Sunday, Allie & I went shopping with our neighbor Kristin. We ended up at the outlet mall and found lots of bargains. I returned home to find that Scott & Jake has installed a new ceiling fan, new shutters, painted our front door & installed a new shower head in the kid's bathroom. It was a nice surprise.

Mandy, Kim, Ben & Maddie came to visit on Monday. They arrived in time to see Jake's baseball game. After the game, Mandy & Kim took my kids, Ben & our neighbor Paul to the waterpark while I stayed home and got to watch Miss Maddie. I was delighted to get some alone time with her (Kim tends to try to hog her). The kids had a great time with their Aunts at the waterpark.

Mom arrived on Tuesday morning in time for Allie's game. She had quite the cheering section with her aunts, cousins, Nana & her dad there! After the game, we took the kids over to Chuck E Cheese's to play. Ben seems to really enjoy that place!! After Chuck E Cheese's, Mandy, Kim, Ben & Maddie went home. Mom, Allie & I went shopping and came home in time for Scott to take all of us dinner.

On Wednesday, Mom came to Jake's ballgame and left shortly after it was over. The kids and I watched 2 of the Harry Potter movies in order to prep to see the new one in the theater (hopefully this week).

Thursday brought us a trip to the waterpark. Jake was SO excited because his friend Ben joined us. He could hardly wait to hang out with BOTH Paul & Ben at the waterpark. They had a good time & they were even nice to Allie!!!

Bright and early Friday morning, the kids and I headed out to meet Mandy & her kids to take our annual "grandkids" picture for my parents. This year we dressed the kids in UNI clothes. The picture turned out really cute. After pictures, we took the kids to the zoo. It was a great little zoo for the kids. The weather was perfect too!! We grilled out at Mom & Dad's that evening & we got to have our first taste of sweet corn this summer. Allie was really disappointed to learn that her loose tooth doesn't mix well with eating sweet corn. Thankfully, Nana came to the rescue and cut her corn off of the cob!

Yesterday, the girls in our family went to a bridal shower for my cousin's fiancee while the boys hung out at home. It was nice seeing all of my cousins & aunts. In just another short month we'll be together again for Jess & Tim's wedding. The kids and I trekked back home late yesterday afternoon.

Today was a productive day. Scott and I got almost all of our windows washed & we reorganized our basement. Tonight is rest time before another busy week. Allie finishes up t-ball this week and Jake still has another week left of baseball. We have some waterpark plans too & possibly going to see the new Harry Potter movie.

A nasty wasp that Nana killed before we arrived on Friday. Jake thought it was pretty neat.
Nana puts the kids to work drying dishes after supper. The crazy thing is that they all LOVE drying dishes!

Paul, Jake & Ben at the waterpark. They had just come off of the yellow slide.
Ben, Jake & Allie at the zoo. Note their matching purple & gold outfits...GO PANTHERS!!
Jake & Allie aka 2 monkeys!
Miss Maddie takes a snooze on the deck.

Allie, Jake & Ben were being silly & decided to make a band using Nana's Tupperware for instruments.

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!!!

On Tuesday after Allie's t-ball game, the kids and I picked up Jake's friend Paul and headed back to my parent's house for the 4th. We stopped by Kim & Michael's house & picked up Kim, then met Mandy & Maddie at Chili's for lunch. We made a flying trip through Old Navy for 4th of July attire and then went to Mom & Dad's house. We met up with Will, Anne & Mike for dinner at Buzzy's. We got home from Buzzy's and began filling up water balloons for the parade on the 4th. Mom & I pooped out after filling about 100 or so balloons & it was getting dark, so we all went inside to head to bed. It stormed all night long & we awoke to find that about 5 inches of rain had fallen overnight. My parent's yard was like a swamp!! We got ready to go to the "traditional" 4th of July parade with floats & candy. The kids had a great time watching the parade & collecting candy. After the parade, we let the kids ride in Uncle Mike's convertible to Nana & Papa's house (his grandfather left it to him when he passed away this winter). We began filling more water balloons, squirt guns & super soaker guns for the "interactive" parade. We had a quick lunch & Uncle Michael gave the kids instructions on how to participate in the parade. The kids had a ball throwing balloons & squirting the parade participants with water. Everyone was soaked & a fun time was had by all. As soon as the parade was over, we loaded up our car & drove home. We got home about an hour before the party that we were throwing started! We had several families over for grilling, sparklers & fireworks. By about 11:30 I was exhausted!!

Paul & Jake wait for the parade to begin.
Ben & Mandy waiting for the parade.
Allie, Jake, Maddie & Ben after the parade. Ben was NOT happy about having his picture snapped!
Allie, Paul & Jake in Uncle Mike's convertible.

Here is one of our buckets of balloons.
Miss Maddie slept on Aunt Kim's lap during the water fight.
TJ & Ben sit back & watch the water fight.
This is one of the floats going by...note Dad & Michael attacking from across the street.
After the water fight they are soaked!

The boys eating dinner on the deck.
A couple of the girls having dinner on the swing set AWAY from the boys.
The whole gang front row: Brock, Allie, Abbie, Ashley, Easton & Paul. Back row: Jake, Carter & Mallorie.

A pretty firework.

NANA & PAPA'S

The kids spent a couple of days at my parent's house. They took the kids to see the movie Surf's Up, took them to several parks, to the Tastee Freeze for ice cream, to the zoo and on a picnic. I met them on Saturday at Kid's Day where we were in a parade, went bowling, rode on rides, played games, got tattoos, ate great food & played with friends. They enjoyed their time at Nana & Papa's house!!

Allie is on a float with some of our friend's kids.
Jake & Allie being silly.
Andrew (Gopher & Annette's son), Jake & Allie take a break for Kiddie Cocktails.
Grace (Amy & Johann's daughter), Jake & Ethan (Amy & Johann's son) belly up to the bar for free ice cream sandwiches.

This is the ride that Allie & Gopher rode on. She loved it!! Thanks Gopher!

BALLGAMES

I have spent every morning the past 2 weeks at the ball diamonds watching my kid's play baseball or t-ball.

Jake's team is a little more fun to watch since they actually play a game. They are out if the get 3 strikes or if they are tagged out going to base. They are decent at fielding the ball, batting & throwing the ball. They are by no means good...but at least they have some skill and are competitive.

Allie's games on the other hand are pretty boring. They are still hitting off of the tee and they get to swing until they hit the ball fair...that can sometimes take about 10 tries. If they get tagged out, they really aren't out, they still get to run the bases. None of the kids field the ball, they are too busy drawing in the dirt or waving to their parents. None of the kids can throw very well & they certainly have no idea where to throw the ball if they some how end up with it. I'm amazed at the difference 2 years makes!!

Only about 3-4 weeks left of ball, then we have a break in sports/activities until the end of August/beginning of September when soccer, flag football, dance & school starts.

Allie is ready to hit the ball.

Allie actually fields the ball.
Jake is waiting for his pitch.
Jake is playing first base.


VISITORS

We had some visitors this week. Mandy & the kids came on Tuesday afternoon to spend a few days with us. We went to a restaurant on Tuesday night where the kids can make their own pizza to eat for dinner. They had a great time making their pizzas. Ben kept trying to pick his nose while doing it...Mandy went ahead and finished making his pizza.

On Wednesday, we went to Jake's game (he has a base hit & a couple of nice plays while on 1st & 3rd base). After Jake's game, we went to Chuck E. Cheese's for lunch and a couple of hours of playing. The kids were exhausted! We relaxed the rest of the afternoon and then spent several hours in the back yard playing and doing sparklers.

Today, we went to Allie's t-ball game (she had 2 nice hits). After the game, we had a quick lunch and Mandy took all 4 kids home with her & will drop my kids off at my parent's house. I'll pick them up bright and early Saturday morning. They are going to go to the zoo, have a picnic and go to see "Surf's Up".
Here are the 4 kids together (Allie, Ben, Jake & Maddie).

STURGIS FALLS

This past weekend was Sturgis Falls weekend. We enjoyed live music, a carnival, great food, a parade, races & spending time with family & friends.

Friday afternoon we went to the band shell to listen to some live music. We were only able to stay in the park for about an hour & then the rain began to fall. We made a dash for the car & went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner rather than staying for more music and dinner in the park.

Saturday morning, we got up and went downtown for the parade. Jake was in the parade for Cub Scouts. Allie & I were in the parade for her dance school. After the parade, we spent the afternoon in the kid's tents where the kids got balloons, tattoos and they got to see a couple of live shows. They also enjoyed seeing many of their friends wandering the parks.

Sunday morning, we rose very early. We took Scott to the Rec Center and watched him start his 1/2 marathon run. The kids and I then ran to the Waffle Stop for breakfast. After breakfast, we went to the finish line to see Scott end the race. Our neighbors surprised us and came down to support Scott too. He finished his race in 1 hour and 40 minutes (a minute quicker than last year). After the 1/2 marathon ended, the kids each got to run in their own races. Jake & Allie each took 2nd place in their age groups. Allie initially wasn't interested in running a race until she heard that each runner got a goodie bag with cookies, juice & a ribbon in it...then she wanted to run!! Jake says he's running the 5k next year...if Uncle Michael will run with him...no pressure there huh??????

Nicholas, Carter, Paul & Jake enjoy lunch in the park together.
Allie, Jake & Paul by the river.
Jake, Scott & Allie ready to run!
Allie in her race.
Jake's running in his race (his best friend Paul is behind him)
Our neighbors went with us on Friday to listen to the bands. We hunkered down under a tree to avoid the sprinkles. (Will, Jake, Kristin, Paul, Patrick, Scott & Allie)
Allie, Jake & Paul with their balloon creations.
Allie on her float during the parade.
Jake & his den marched in the parade.
Allie, my friend Kristie & her kids Ryan, Corrine & Alex. Allie & Alex were in the parade together & they sat down to watch the end of the parade. A woman stopped by to tell Kristie what beautiful red headed kids that she had...including Allie!

VBS & WATERPARK

It has been a pretty busy week here. We spent each morning at either baseball or t-ball. Immediately following the kid's games, we went to the waterpark until dinnertime. After an early dinner, we went to Vacation Bible School until almost bedtime. The kids have enjoyed every minute of this week.

Jake relaxes on the Lazy River.
Allie enjoys a dip on the Lazy River.
Allie & Jake in their VBS shirts.

The kids fell asleep while we were in the basement waiting out a tornado warning this afternoon.

SPRING RECITAL

Allie had her big dance recital yesterday. Her act wasn't the best act, that is for sure. She knew her part & did well...several of the other kids just stood there & shrugged their shoulders as though they had never heard the song before!! My mom, Scott & I got a pretty big kick out of that. Allie is already looking forward to her next ballet...not until November...thank God!

BASEBALL, T-BALL & WATERPARK

Jake started baseball on Wednesday morning. Several other kids from his school are playing too, so he was pretty happy. The first day consisted of practicing ground balls & pop flys. We'll see what the rest of the season brings.

Allie started t-ball on Thursday morning. She ended up on the team with her friend Olivia. She was thrilled. They practiced running the bases (in order) and ground balls. Allie likes her team name (the green crocodiles).

We spent every day last week at the waterpark. It has quite possibly been one of the most relaxing weeks in recent memory. The kids have really enjoyed themselves and are exhausted shortly after dinner!

Last night, Scott & I celebrated our 11 year anniversary. We took the kids and went out to dinner. After dinner we sat on the deck while the kids caught fireflies.

Next week brings Vacation Bible school, t-ball, baseball, the waterpark, a birthday party, Allie marches in a parade for dance & tomorrow is Allie's dance recital. As always, we keep busy!!