Sunday Spotlight - THE SWINGSET

The instructions said that it would take two moderately skilled people quite some time to put this monstrosity together.  Of course that was a challenge to Dada......who did it 99.9% by himself in a matter of a few days.  He is kinda crazy that way.

Ayden was by his side working on it every evening and all day yesterday. 

He was quite interested in seeing it put together....and loves the finished product!

Alec just scares me to death.

They played and played and played this afternoon....even though it wasn't quite finished and Dada still had tools everywhere and handles to install.

Seriously - he scares me.  He fears NOTHING.

It is completed now...and all tools put away....and as you can tell....they LOVE it.  Thank you Dada!!!

Sunday Spotlight - "Fathers"

We got to hang out with 4 pretty special fathers today.

All 4 of these Fathers are so special....each very loving and caring...and always there for their children.

It was a very good day.

(check out Suzae Reflections for more great pics from today!)

Kids Fishing Day!

Everyone had such a great time at Kid's Fishing day - sponsored by the Eldon Bassmaster's....they do such an amazing job with this event. Ayden, Ava and even Alec got to try fishing (something they had never done), came home with tons of fabulous fishing stuff, and even the grand prize (Ayden won!) a basketball goal!!!  The kiddos talked about it all the way home...a great day for everyone!  Thank you Thacker family for inviting us and working so hard to make it a wonderful day for 80 kids!

And Daddy got a lot farther on the HUGE playground!  There was alot of oohing and ahhing from the backseat when we pulled in the driveway today!

You make me laugh!

We do hear some funny stuff around here!   The other night Ava told Ayden "you make me laugh!". They had a super fun time with cousin Lucy (even tho Lucy wasn't feeling her best - she still "made them laugh!")

Over the weekend - during rain showers we did a bit of painting!

Alec and Ava enjoyed it.

Ayden preferred to help Dada start on the HUGE playground.

Or give Alec rides in the jeep.

Or play in the warm summer rain.

fun, fun times. 

We will admit....we were glad when Monday rolled around and "school" was once again OPEN!

Sunday Spotlight - Family

The dreaded week...that daycare is closed!

Korbyn helping babysit!

Ava's new bangs!

Two boys and a jeep...scary!

OK - doesn't matter who is in the jeep - still scary to the mom!

bubble blowing!

Attempting bubble blowing!

The pictures above are fun moments in these past few days...most certainly.  It was our original intent (before I got a new job) that this would be our vacation week - to coincide with Busy Bees being closed.  But now I couldn't really take a week off and actually Shannon couldn't either - so we have been working in tandem and calling in all the reserves!  All Grandparents have pitched in(Friday and Tuesday morning)...Sam, Ali and Korbyn(Tuesday afternoon/evening)...Aaron and Erin on standby in case of emergency!....Kristi and crew(scheduled for tomorrow!) and Dada by himself 3 days!  Today..was Ava's MRI in St. Louis - so she and I were on the road at 5:10 AM and got home about 6PM tonite.  Everything went well - she was a little more dramatic this time (3 years old...I think that explains that) but it went well.  The boys went "tractor hunting" as Ayden called it....and they even got to ride in a tractor that very well could be the one we end up with!  They were so excited to tell me all about it tonite....most certainly a day they will remember. And of course more "jeep" driving - which makes me absolutely terrified - but I must admit that Ayden is becoming quite the little driver...and Alec just chills out and enjoys the ride.  Even though I am terrified I must admit they are so darn cute driving around in that thing! Check out this video...and you too will be frightened just a little bit I bet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6og3u-xUZ8

One more week of crazy schedules and hopefully back into the routine....(hey, a girl can hope)...right?