Butterflies...

So tomorrow is the first day of school--we went there tonight and got to see who their teachers will be/who's in their classes--we were soo happy to have them placed with great teachers and their closest friends. Everyone's pretty excited--Sarah has been squealing all day, "I get to go to Kindergarten tomorrow!" She's most excited about her new school socks and shoes...shoes with rainbow colored lights on them. Not this mom's first choice, but she was so in love with them, I couldn't say no. They about give me a migraine every time I look at them--talk about sensory overload! Sarah says she's excited to start school, but she has butterflies in her stomach--I don't tell her mommy does, too. I had a good cry in the shower this morning, trying to picture what it's going to be like to leave her there. Oh, I hope she doesn't cry--I don't know if I could handle that. Levi's classroom looks so cool and big kiddish--their desks are set up in little clusters, and he's already chosen to be next to 2 of his best friends. I think he might just be on his best behavior so the teacher doesn't move him away from them! Pictures to come...

CORN!!!

I spent a day this past week at my Dad and Mom's house freezing corn, with the help of a couple sisters, my Mom and lots of nieces and nephews. What a messy job--but we did all but the cooking in the garage this time, so it was a super easy clean up with a broom and the hose. Lots of memories of doing this on the farm growing up--I just never got quite as into the worms/caterpillars as our kids did. They were a huge help--even got in on stomping the trash can down so we add to it. After dividing the corn all up, I'm not sure it was worth the time and effort, but we sure had fun!





How do you rotate these pictures? I can't figure it out.

Homemade pie...

...at least that's what the kids called it! They could've done this for hours!

Water fun at the zoo

The zoo had free admission for kids last Sunday, with firefighters providing fun water games, and Baskin R*bins providing free ice cream. Sadly Robbie was sick and couldn't join us, but the kids had a blast!

Oh, the things he's learning...

So we were at a youth camp all week, playing outside a lot, and Jason's nose was pretty runny. At one time I didn't have a tissue on me, and he really needed his nose wiped. I tore off a piece of a coloring book page that I had folded up with me and said, "Jason, see? You can use paper to wipe your nose if you don't have a tissue." I think we even used a leaf from a tree once. I guess he thought that was pretty cool, because this morning while playing Candyl*nd with his brother and sister, he decided to fold one of the cards in half and wipe his nose on it! Of course that was followed by a howl from big brother, and "Gross! Why'd you do that?" My bad...

Future Paleontologist?

Levi got to take a trip with his Grandma and Grandpa (Rob's parents) and his cousin Hope to the Creation Museum in Kentucky this past weekend. Although the 12 hour car ride there and back may have gotten a little long for everyone, it was a trip that he'll remember forever--he is such a little sciency guy--this was right up his alley! Here's a little video clip of what he chose to purchase with his spending money--I wouldn't be surprised at all if this was how he spent his future!



While he was in Kentucky, the rest of us went to Tulsa to visit our amazing friends, Caleb and Amy Jo. We had a blast going to see the traveling Bro*dway production of W*cked (words cannot describe how wonderful it was!), and spending a night away from the kids in a nice hotel to celebrate our 11 year anniversary--we loved the Riverwalk and having a long, relaxing date. We sooo appreciate these 2 and all that they did to make us and our kids feel welcomed/loved! Thanks, Coltranes! Miss you already!

Vacation pics

We got home Sunday night from a 10 day vacation--the longest trip we've ever taken with our kids. We had an absolute blast-- spent a few days with my family, then a few with just us and the kids, and our last few with Robbie's family. I don't know how to make a slide show, so I just attached a ton of pictures for our friends and family to see. Here are my beautiful flowers just before we left--so sad they were all done blooming by the time we got home, but I loved them!



I guess I didn't take many pictures of my family's time together--tried to insert some from siblings/parents, but they were all messed up. We had a little church service together--26 of us in our immediate family, plus one aunt and uncle. Baby James was sleeping in the next room, so we had to pretend like we were in a country closed off to the gospel and sing quietly!

Robbie gave a mini-message, and had the kids all participate by reading scripture, drawing/coloring a map, and making little Paul, Timothy, and Silas caricatures!
Here's Jason hoping he's getting the answer right!!

We celebrated 4 birthdays on our trip--Sarah was definitely the most spoiled by gifts!

Here's her most special Chrissa doll from both sets of grandparents--love at first sight!

We spent most of one day on 2 pontoon boats--other than getting pulled over for bow riding and the nice ticket that went along with it, we had a great time.


After we left my family, we went to T*blerock Lake for a few days, and Rob's family joined us there later. We got to go to Silver D*llar City--a first for the kids. We told them it was a little like D*sney World, so they were thrilled!



Jason was scared to death of all the rides, but after a talk with his daddy, he decided he wanted to be "tuff" and got more and more daring throughout our time there.

Enjoying the late night country music show with cousin Hope--my hubby tends to ge a bit obsessed with things, and has had our radio on 106.9 ever since that night! Funny man.

Sarah saw this picture and said, "Hey, where's all the flies?" They were out of control this evening!
The little boys reading together--cousin Ryan is 3, and really tries to take care of little Jason!

Next, a day at the water park

Not sure how to turn this pic, but Levi looks too cute to leave it out!








We celebrated Robbie's parents' 40th wedding anniversary on our trip--all the kids and grandkids made a scapbook/memory book for them, which they opened on their "40 yr cruise", which we provided for them! (pontoon boat, again)


We also had a little program for them, and the kids prepared some songs to sing to Grandma and Grandpa. Here's one--they worked so hard on it!