Toes in the water

 (except for Kingston was so tired he pooped out on Aunt Angie's chest)

well you know how the song goes...

Disheartening

So hard to see Jordyn Weiber, reigning World Champion gymnast not make it to all around finals because of new crappy rules that only 2 can qualify from each country. Pretty much sucks and seems so unfair since she placed 4th overall.   On a lighter note, you have to watch this video of Aly's parents during her bar routine if you didn't see already.
Aly Raismen's parents reaction

Take me away..

and we are off, Seaside here we come!

Double Take

thumbsuckers in action

10,9,8,7,5,4,2,1

Between cousins, we have almost every year covered for the past decade, open gym to swimming to bowling and wrapping it up at Mr.K's, a terrific Tuesday it was...

Happy 15th Makenzie Cleo!

Happy birthday to my favorite teenager and best driver I know, we love you Kenz!

Good Times

 Xander played city league ball this year with Micah and Levi his good friends from church. Love the chest bump going on..

He was a different kid on the field then in traveling ball, pitched and hit with confidence, I loved watching him, good job Athletics. (The coaches were great too:)!!

Fight like a girl

Put your orders in, we have fight like a girl bracelets for sale for $3.00, 2.00 to Jeryka.

 leaping for joy that Jeryka is back in the gym this week after 1 round of chemo done, woohoo!!

Eat, shop & run, Branson wrap up

 my favorite picture of the trip, what a multi-tasker already!

 Xander has such an imagination he can turn fried calamari into little creatures he could play with for hours

 more eating….

 a little outlet shopping

running not a good idea in Branson, too hot and too hilly, my dad set the pace, and I chugged slowly after.

T-Rex Miniature Golf

 taking pictures with my phone isn't the best I decided, since you can't even see the little guy they are pointing to.

Not sure what created more excitement on the course the erupting volcano, Monroe hitting it way too hard off the course several times, or this little groundhog friend enjoying an apple.

Branson Landing

 Stellas finally meet, born 2 months apart, we ran into them at the Mexican cantina at the landing.

 Best place to eat in Branson, they have the best salsa and guac, you will notice a common theme of pics, eating, eating and more eating. That is pretty much what we do on vaca.

Water & fire show, the Stellas were a little nervous about this.

1st stop Lamberts

 20 minute wait, not too bad considering there was a party of 50 in front of us, buses welcome.

 Im sad I didn't get a picture of the pile of rolls Henry had at the end of the night.

Rolls (hot and fresh) really fly everywhere, Trav would have been proud of a catch I made across the restaurant, they are the best part about the place. Tasty for the carb addicts in us.

Missin my babes

We left the oldest and youngest at home and left for a long weekend to go to Branson. Angie and Kenzie along with Jess and her kiddos left to meet up with my parents and my dads side of the family. Appears that my boys did just fine and even hit BW on Saturday night with the Schmitt clan, I love that Kingston will talk to me on the phone now and says bye, luv you!! The cutest thing ever, doesn't help the missing him factor. For now no pics of the weekend b/c I have 400 things to put away and clothes to launder.

BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad

My sister made this for dinner tonight, my favorite pinterest recipe by far. It was 5 stars or I was really hungry, would highly recommend even for the vegetarians out there, leave out the chicken.
Find recipe here Jessie's Pin Board

Back in the game...

Feel bad for talking smack on my girl's batting, a few pitches by Cole and she is back in the game hitting them over the fence.

Welcome Ponds!

My sister and 3 kiddos arrived from Utah to stay with us for a few weeks, it is one big sleepover party with lots of sleep deprived kids that are having a blast together. We love our house guests!

5 strikes your out

The Giants had a season wrap up tonight, it was bitter sweet. We love watching these talented cuties playing together, but Monroe didn't exactly step up to the plate. She struck out all 3 times up to bat, getting 5 pitches each time. A beautiful swing, but never contact, think our softball days are numbered. Thankfully for her, their team didn't exactly need her on the bases, they run ruled a good little team 15 to 5, good job girls!!

Waterboy

We enjoyed Northview pool on Sunday night, Kingston went down the slide over and over and over.

Feeling blue?

Newspaper print nails

Makenzie gave Monroe a fun newspaper print nail manicure, I had heard of these but never seen, interesting.

Someone's been sleeping in my bed...

SPOILED!!

Firecracker Fun

 

You can tell Emerson and Kingston have older siblings, Kingston will bully and Em just takes it

Jude got his face painted at country club that lasted all of 30 minutes, until he hit the pool

firestarters

                                                                pool fun

             soon to be mama of 4 Shannon with mama of 4 Lindsay, mama of 4 Crystal (not pictured),  feeling pressure mama of 3 Jenny:)??

Let the good times roll

The drivers made me a little more nervous than the fireworks, think they could have used some helmets

Working on the 4th of July and day after = partaking in parties before… The kiddos enjoyed rolling around the driveway trying out several different scooters, suv's, motorcycles, wagons, you name it, what a blast to kick off the 4th of July. I think our kids are just as social as their parents, they love spending time with friends more than anything!