Fun Friday

We haven't taken any trips this summer...and our fun Fridays have been pretty consistent with our typical Pizza & Movie Night tradition - so this weekend we went all out for a Fun Friday weekend!  We have wanted to take the kids to a game, but the timing is never right...and this weekend it seemed to fall better (though no perfect) than other times.  Friday afternoon we took off for Lincoln to hit a Saltdogs game.  Out of all the pictures I took, I forgot to take any of the game!  Whoops.  The kids had a great time.  Also not pictured here is the kids running the bases.  After the game they were going to do fireworks, but as a result of a fast game it was not dark yet!  All the kids at the stadium had the opportunity to run the bases.  They thought this was awesome!

The fireworks show was awesome - it was so close, as they closed the parking lot for their display so it was placed just next to the stadium.  Harper says this was his favorite part of the entire trip!

And this it the image which ended the night!

It's Independence Day!

The 4th has come and gone, and with that it starts to feel like summer is dwindling down.  Back to School ads are out, the kids are talking about new backpacks and school shoes - yet it feels like summer just began!  

This year we watched the fireworks in Columbus again.  As you can see below, Charli did not think they were as good this year...she crawled into the back of my car and feel asleep on a pile of Charli's Angels shirts!  She has a mustache painted on her face from a fun day at school, and she was beat!  

We went to the Platte Center parade again this year.  The parental side of me thinks that this is the perfect parade...the time is just perfect and the candy scored is not to much it makes me sick to look at!  It was a great morning for it - and the kids had fun!  We got to see a few friends there, which is like icing on the cake!

The rest of the day was spent playing.  We played at the shop before going out to my parents farm for lunch.  My dad was helping a neighbor with their chores while away so the kids got to be farmers with grandpa...which they all loved. My ONLY complaint is that I took all the pictures on my dads camera :(  They had a great time picking eggs, feeding the goats, horses, and dogs, pitching the hay, and checking out the equipment!  They each asked for a "farm" when we left!

When we returned home we were greeted by an air conditioner that was on the fritz, so after a quick supper we decided to head out to the races so we could wait for darkness and fireworks at our house!  The kids had a great time, we realized this was their first time at the races so it was a lot for them to take in!

(when did Charli go from being a cute little girl to a pretty girl?)

Charli and I got to spend a few hours together last week so we took a trip to the Higgins Memorial to find my dads brick honoring his service in the Army.  List above is says that my dad, Charles, was in the division of the airborne special forces division.  I am so proud of his past accomplishments, and while I do not know all of his sacrifice, I will never be ignorant to his past and what he did for everyone in our county as a young adult.  Chad's grandpa, Alphonse, has a brick in the same section!  Ironic to have them so close, when there are thousands of people honored there!  I am not sure what CPL means, I THINK (stress the word think, because I truly do not know!) it meas corporal. 

We hope your 4th of July snapped, crackled, and popped...but only in a good day!

Relay For Life 2013

Once again the Relay For Life of Platte County has come and gone.  This year has left amazing memories because Charli had the time of her life.  She could not be kept off the track and was gracious enough to walk with anyone and everyone she saw and knew!  In fact, she even said she would meet new people and ask to walk with them if she needed too!  Charli was a little worried about who she would walk with this year.  In the past Charli has walked independent from Chad and I by walking with her Great-Uncle Ivan.  Ivan lost his battle this past winter.  Charli processed this through their Relay For Life connection.  She asked a teacher at her summer school to walk with her, as she is also a survivor, and was tickled pink when she told her YES!!

Our strong six-year old survivor!  Hard to believe the first time she circled this track she could not walk it, and now she does it on her own!

Charli starting her survivor lap with talking partner, and director of her summer school program, Lynn!  

 Charli and her good friend Moe.  It warms my heart to see Charli enjoy these events with her friends!

Moe made this bag special for Charli!  It is a picture of them going down the slide and eating lunch together!  When kids get "it"....it is just an amazing things to see!

 Charli and her cousin Colton

 Harper and one of his many friends, his cousin Kelsey!  She is so great with kids, and entertained the little boys wonderfully!!  

Charli and her summer school teacher, Paige!  These two talked a TON together!  I bet they put on at least two miles together!  Charli was tracking her laps, and came home with 32 beads....which is 8 miles!!  Even if a few extra got placed on there -- she had busy legs!  By the time she took a break for the ride home, she said her legs hurt!  She lasted until midnight before I made her come home!

 Harper & Charli getting ready for the silent lap!  

Braxton & Harper ---  Braxton came prepared with lots of fun toys to keep these two busy boys...busy!

Charli and another of her teachers, Mrs. Slyvester!  

By midnight you can see her hair is a little frazzled, her smile a little worn...but the Relay sparkle is still in her eye!  She is going to Relay For LIFE!!

HOPE - 2013

Zoo - Loo

One of our favorite summer places is the Monroe Zoo! If you are within driving distance, you should go!  The Horn T Zoo is so much fun for the kids.  We go several times each summer they are open!!  Each time we have gone we learn so much!  You get your own "personal tour" of the animals and get hands on experience with many of them!  Below you will see the kids feeding Coco the monkey, petting Bella the bear,loving on their pregnant momma zebra, talking with their birds, and exercising with their porky-pines! It was a fun way to end our full weekend!

Family Fun Day!

This is a talent that she is pretty proud of.  This also helped us discover that her dad can do the same thing.  Genetics?! 

Charli lost tooth #4 at the Central City Subway this weekend!  

We took a family "work" trip to GI on Saturday and found our own fun!  The kids enjoyed some new scenery...and a Saturday that didn't include rain!

We even found a train to ride!

It IS as much fun as it looks!  ;-)

We got to see Monsters University with friends this weekend too!  The theater was so full that we sat in three different rows - in two different sections :(  The kids enjoyed the movie though!

Henry * Harper * Sadie

Charli * Maggie    (not pictured Cohen & Kadence)

Charli had a full week at camp this year.  The camp is just outside of town and was a full day M-F.  She was exhausted, but did so many fun things.  It was called "Deer Camp".  She got to canoe, learn archery, swim, etc.  All activities which were right up her alley! At the end of camp they handed out about 7 awards.  She was "lucky" enough to win the "most humorous" award and came home with her own banana trophy!  She giggled...and is pretty proud of it!

Charli also earned her orange belt last week!  (we had a BUSY week!)  She tested for this the week before getting to spend time with Aunt Rachelle out west, so she had to wait to find out!  It's amazing to watch their little minds & bodies work and learn! 

Happy Birthday Harper!

I have decided that if I wait to upload pictures from my "real cameras" this blog will never last...so I am sure I will have old pictures to post when I finally get those pictures too!  

Harper had a super 4th birthday.  He felt like his birthday got to last two days because his daycare party was the day after his actual birthday...which was a-okay with him!

friends!!!

These types of pictures never get old!

Harper got a 4-wheeler for his birthday!  Charli was this age when she got hers, though it doesn't seem like it!  

It's the year for modes of transportation for Harper I guess!  Grandma & Grandpa B got his a fancy (John Deere) green scooter!  Now Charli, Harper, and Chad all have Razors to zip around the neighborhood on!  I am sure our neighbors loooooove that!  

Not sure there is anything better than a birthday waffle to wake up to!

Happy 4th Birthday Harper!!