July 31, 2009

The week in review

We have had a fairly busy week for the end of July. Sunday thru Wednesday evenings we spent up at the church with VBS. Andrew had a blast with Ms. Doneen and Ms. Ally. His favorite part of VBS was playing sharks and minnos in rec. I can already hear the conversations now ... "Andrew what is was for favorite thing about school today?" "Recess mom!"

I was able to stay home with the kids Tuesday and Wednesday and we had a lot of fun. Tuesday was kind of rainy so we played inside and worked on cleaning the house a little bit. Wednesday we ran errands (birthday shopping) and had lunch with Shane. I was able to mow while the kids were "napping" (more like playing in their rooms, but I like to think that they were napping). Then they got up and helped me pick beans in the garden. It was a little muddy from the rain, but we got four rows done. I have already canned about 20 pint and a half jars and will have another canner full to do this weekend.

Now it's Friday, the kids are spending the night with G&G Renyer, the house is pretty clean, and I can't think of anything to do tonight. It's pretty sad when you get older and you realize that your life really does revolve around your kids. When they are gone I am actually a little bored :( I should probably get some scrapbooking done, but I might just lounge around the house with Shane instead!

Tomorrow the kids are getting their birthday pictures done. I just hope no one falls and gets a huge scratch or big bruise tonight ... cross your fingers!

July 22, 2009

to western Kansas and back

Last weekend we took a little road trip to western Kansas. It was reunion time for my mom's side of the family. In years past, and since my grandparents passed away, we had been going to either Estes Park or Winter Park for our reunions. This year the family decided to take the reunion old school by going back to where they were held when my grandparents were still with us. I have to say I love western Kansas. My grandparents lived about a mile east of the Colorado line and could see for miles around there house. Everyone knows everyone and helps out with everything. You have to drive about 30 miles to get to the nearest WalMart (which had been in Goodland only a few years). I just love everything about it what can I say. Anyway, back to the reunion. It was held at the fair grounds in Sharon Springs. I am a little disappointed that we couldn't stay for fair weekend, but that's how life goes. I didn't hear a final number of how many actually came, but I think we were expecting a little over 100. Most of the family still lives in the western part of the state so there was little drive time for them. We had about a 5 hour drive with two children that like to pick on each other. It definately wasn't as bad as it could've been, but it also could've been better.


It was Kacie's (my youngest niece) birthday on Saturday. I felt bad that we were driving on her birthday so I made arrangements in Hays to have a cake made at Dairy Queen. She was completely surprised! I kind of forgot an essential peice to making the surprise party go off without a hitch, but we were traveling so I should get a little break. Who says a knife to cut a frozen ice cream cake is essential anyway?! Thank goodness Shane had his knife on him, and that he cleaned it since the last time we went fishing a few days prior.





So Sunday was the potluck at the reunion and I wanted to do something special since we were back were we had been when my grandparents were around for the reunions. To do that I decided to make a cake with their picture on it. It was my first cake using the eatible pictures so I think it turned out pretty well considering we traveled across the state of Kansas with it and I was in a hotel room when decorating it. I had forgotten, but was reminded by my Aunt Carolyn, that Saturday was my grandpa's birthday so it made my cake even more special.




Now we are back in town and gearing up for vbs at church. Our theme is the Boomerang Express so I have been working on Australian Outback stuff to put in our room. So far we have made Ayers rock, aboriginal art, and boomerangs to put in our classroom. I sure hope the 2nd graders like what we've done!

July 12, 2009

July 4th ... a little late




We headed over to Aunt Tammy and Uncle Mike's for the 4th this year. Mike made delicious prime rib in the Green Egg for dinner! The kids started off doing poppers and parachutes while it was still light outside. Then came some of the nighttime fireworks. We had a blast as always at the Hampton's!
Brooklyn with the popper
Brooklyn & Andrew in thier chairs waiting for the fireworks to start
Andrew, Shane, & Brooklyn working hard at controlling the sparklers

July 1, 2009

What are we going to do mom?

"What are we going to do" is a phrase that mom's (and dad's) probably hear about 100 times a day. Last weekend we decided to do something and took the kids to KC to see Caden, Ryan and Amy. Andrew and Brooklyn got to see him for the first time and were a little unsure of the "new kid in town". After only a few minutes they warmed up to Caden and wanted to hold him. Both did very well at supporting his head and making sure he didn't cry.

Then we headed down to The Legends to eat at T-Rex and walk around for a little bit. The boys went to Cabella's and the girls went to Nebraska Furniture Mart. I was a little disappointed because I had complete confidence that NFM would have the perfect bed for Brooklyn, but I didn't have any luck finding what I have envisioned for her.
Sunday we headed over for pizza night a little early in order to go down to the pond for a little fishing. Shane was the only one who caught anything and his one fish is nothing to brag about. Back to the house for pizza, but the kids had to take a little ride with Grandpa Koci before they wanted to go in for supper.
Today we went and bought our fireworks. The kids couldn't wait any longer ... seriously everyday about every second Andrew has been talking about either wanting a horse or needing to stop for fireworks. The fireworks we can handle right now, so the horse thing will just have to wait a few more years. Do you think he'll forget about it now that he has fireworks? Wishful thinking on my part? Anyway, we shot off a couple parachutes when we got back. Here are a couple of pics the kids would let me get before running off to the next item of business for the evening.