Havin' some fun around here . . .

So our family got to experience something completely new this weekend . . .we spent some time on a lake nearby with a wonderful couple who had invited us to hang with them on their boat!  The kids were a bit hesitant at first . . . but that soon wore off!

Joshua and Kayla tubing -- Joshua was constantly giving the thumbs up sign (faster!), but we soon learned we needed to take our cues from Kayla . . . not from Joshua!  She was a trooper though -- and her laughter when Joshua fell off the tube was just priceless!

This was the hardest part -- getting back on the tube after getting dumped!

Tyler worked up the courage to give it a whirl -- and he had fun just like the rest of them!  Everyone jumped off for a little swim time . . . everyone except for Mom! I was content to sit on the back of the boat and have my ankles wet!!!

This would be Bryan -- I don't think he has skied since we have gotten married - and that would be 13 years ago!  Not too shab!  Just ask him how sore his arms were the next day though!!!!

While I had no desire to ski, I got on the tube with each of the kids --- this picture is with Tyler and me.  There is nothing more fun than tubing with your 9-year old son and just hearing him belly laugh and scream at the top of his lungs when you know it's gonna get a little bumpy!!!!  It was awesome!  Thanks Charles and Diane for the incredible day!  God gave us a perfect weather day and it was a wonderful chance to just have a blast as a family!

But that wasn't the only fun this weekend!  Some dear friends from Topeka were in KC on Friday for a Royals game, so they came by for several hours.  The kids scampered off to play together and we had a great time catching up.  I love that the kids just picked up right where they left off in November!  Thanks for carving time in your schedule to come see us Blaire and Hunter!  

And then . . . as if the weekend hadn't already been awesome enough, Bryan got a text Sunday morning from our former next door neighbors from Topeka  -- and they wanted to know if they could make a trip to Liberty to see us! They met us after church, we ate at Culvers, kids went swimming and fishing, had pizza, and then they took off.  What a great spontaneous, unplanned Sunday afternoon and evening!  We had so much fun laughing about all of the past experiences from Wexford drive-- on my goodness!  So thankful that we still get to spend time together (though in much smaller chunks!) even though we have moved!  We were so blessed to live next to them!

Summer, summer, summer!

So -- I'm a bit behind:)  Several weeks ago we actually had a free day -- and took advantage of that day and went to see my grandparents in SE Kansas.  The treat this time?  Some kittens!  Since Bryan is allergic to cats, we will NEVER have cats in our house -- so this was a special treat!

Feeding the cats with great grandma and grandpa!

Since we don't live on a farm, it's always a treat to hang out there for a while!

This is a very sentimental picture -- I have distinct memories of swinging on this swing set with my cousins and siblings growing up!

Grandma specifically left the last few pieces "undone" on a puzzle so the kids could finish it:)

After a trip to McD's -- we only eat the finest -- we got to have some of Grandma's infamous "no bake cookies" -- they are the best!  I have given up trying to make those crazy things -- mine always turn out either like glue or crumbly!

On the way home to KC, we took a "slight" detour to my parents house . . . mom had a few strawberries that were in need of picking and I was happy to oblige!  

We created our own little reading incentive program this summer -- and the first benchmark for 120 minutes was McD's ice cream cone -- yay!!!!

We went to the KC zoo for the first time last week!  It was super fun!  This snake just freaks me out, though!

Waiting for the train.  It was warm!

A group "selfie" on the tram!

We got to ride on the sky way thingie -- I get a little wigged out!  This is 

Joshua and Kayla in front of us!

And, a little ride on the carousel at the zoo.  Since a very sweet lady from the church bought us a family zoo pass, we will get to go back many times and check out all of the different exhibits!

A little "four square" -- well, maybe a modified version!

Joshua and one of his pool buddies!

Joshua just can't get enough baseball . . . after playing four days in row for a tournament, he immediately started playing baseball in the pool with a buddy when we got home from our last game -- the boy just can't get enough!

Having lunch with Tyler at summer school!  This is a new adventure for us -- we never had summer school in Topeka.  We haven't exactly been . . .um . . . consistent, but I figure even a couple of days a week is good.  Tyler will at least have some idea what Kindergarten is like!  I just like my kiddos home so we can do fun things!

Kayla helping to keep score at Joshua's baseball game -- she doesn't exactly "dig" going to all of the games, but she really enjoyed this!

One day this week we made a complete impromptu trip to Mom and Dad's -- it was just a few hours, and the main objective was to help get rooms back together after new carpet was laid, and to hang with my niece.  Kayla is such a good little babysitter!

Oh and yes -- this would be baseball with long balloons at Grandma and Grandpas . . . it's all we are doing right now!