way too long

It's been way way way too long since I have updated this blog.  And I have a lot of catching up to do...

Granny Christmas camp was this weekend...and it requires a post - so we can look back through the years.  Ayden had a project of special dates in his life and this blog was a life saver - so I have to keep going!

 The start of a great tradition - Granny Christmas Camp and  yet to come....Granny Summer Camp!!

The Pool and some Thursday night football!

 This guy is pretty much a natural.

 Crazy fun to watch.

His coach is WONDERFUL.

His team is SO nice to him.

The other coaches are wonderful as well

and the parents amazing.

We love this season of football...

except that it makes our lives even more 

chaotic than ever before. :(

 But we really just make it work..

 because this is SO darn cool.

 I'm sad to think there are only a few more games to go....

And Ayden is going to miss the last one because...

HE IS GOING TO BE ELVIS in his 3rd grade musical!

Oh yeah.  

 He Ain't Nothing But A Hounddog...

from the shower...

and the living room...

and everywhere.

Thank you...thank you very much.

 This kid has found himself.  

And now if we can just get his belly figured out...

we will be 100%.

(poor guy has been having problems for 2 weeks.)

 The pool has come a  long way...

thanks to the hard work

of Shannon and Dad...

So sad we had to close it for winter this weekend.

The deck turned out beautiful. 

I can't believe I didn't get a picture of it finished....

but that is just how it has been lately.

Barely gettin by.

 But it was fun!

 And relaxing.

 And the water stayed gorgeous.

 And we totally loved it.

Praying it makes it through the winter.

 We always have so much fun 

at the Salem UCC picnic.

 The kids adore the cake walk.

And would walk until they ran out of money!

 California Community Ensemble played wonderfully despite the heat.

Ayden did a great job holding the flag :) 

It's been an insane couple weeks.  

Alec got cellulitis in his cheek..

which included Urgent care,

pediatrician,

ER and possibly another trip

tomorrow to the dr.

Add in Ayden and his belly and we are a little

over our skis.

Trip to the asthma dr tells me 

that Ava is not well controlled.

What?

She runs like a crazy woman in soccer.

But - they heard crackles...

so we increase her puffs.

And they called an reminded me that 

it is time for another brain MRI.

But we will get through it all.

May shed a few tears...

but we will survive.

Happy Birthday Korbyn!!!! (yes it was the 17th and I am just now posting)....

 I cannot believe our baby girl is 5.  It really can't be true.  But it is - and it is SO fun to watch our Korbyn enjoy each minute of her day - learning, growing, singing, pretending and just plain being her happy little self.

 I adore this blurry picture - cause it says it all.  Love.

And of course there must be gooey chocolate cake and ice cream!

Love this pumpkin more than she can ever know.  Happy #5 Birthday baby Korbyn!!!



And...I will be catching up on this blog if it kills me. Yes.  I.  Will.  

And....we are back to school!

 First, Second and Third grade.  

Where has the time gone?

 These three have been READY for school...

and are very excited to be back.

They love their teachers 

and love being back on "schedule".

 They also love new shoes. :)

 They happily get on the bus at 7:10.

And daddy and I happily leave for work on time!

 This man has physically changed the most I think.

But this guy has probably matured the most.

 And this sweet girl is just as sweet as ever.

With a little spunky mixed in. :)

 We had a super fun weekend with granddaughters!

 They decided to wash the golf cart! 

 and had a fabulous time.

 It was a cool weekend and not warm enough to swim much...

so this was the perfect diversion!

Fun times.

 Ayden is playing flag football this fall in Jefferson City. 

We just couldn't handle the thought of tackle yet this year...

so thought learning the fundamentals with no injury involved

might be the best alternative.

 We love his coach...

and he is totally enjoying the process.

So if you are bored on a Thursday night...

you might want to road trip and watch the 

Cowboys!!

Vacation. 4th of July. Tired. Blessed.

I have so much to say.
And so little time to say it.
We had the best time in Hot Springs.
Best time in a long time.
For many many reasons.
We can't say we relaxed...because we were BUSY.
But we have regrouped....and recharged....
from a very very long winter.
Revitalized might be the word I am looking for.

The kids were great travelers.
Alec is tall enough to open the camper door.
We had no idea how big of a deal that would be.
But I think that gives you an idea of how much fun we had.
Because everyone was self-sufficient.
And that was fun.

Here's a sample of the fun we enjoyed...

Bike riding.

 Enjoying our beautiful campground on Lake Catherine, Arkansas

checking out the old bath houses...and enjoying the stories and history

 Shaved ice on a warm day

Hiking in Lake Catherine State Park - awesome!

 Waterfalls

 Pine trees

 2 mile hike - gorgeous

 Botanical Gardens

 Gorgeous ferns

 A Peacock!

 Fishing...and a pontoon ride we will never forget!

 Beautiful cool fog on Lake Catherine...probably our favorite thing of all.

 4th of July fun!

It was a fun way to celebrate a special person's birthday too (just a couple days late)!
Happy Birthday sweet Karyn!
We love you!!!

So many more pictures...but those will have to be another post...on another day.  :)
Cause I am tired.