Basketball Begins

We welcomed in Owen's basketball season this last weekend in Kansas City. He still considers basketball his favorite sport and plays on a pretty competitive team. They jumped right in and played some tough teams in their first tournament--finished second (to the Lawrence Defenders, reminding us of KU vs. KSU). My parents were able to watch the Saturday games, and all of us were able to spend time with Quint, Susan and the twins. The boys were helpful--feeding and holding the babies. 

Thanksgiving

We hosted our first Thanksgiving this year.  Although I'm not really sure you can count it as hosting when you don't cook the turkey.  Oh well.  Everything went smoothly and (I think) everyone had a good time.  My boys enjoyed entertaining the girls (all girl cousins on my side), and the girls didn't seem to mind playing with boy toys.  Owen was happy to have video game football competition from my cousin Wyatt, while Miles and Graham played a lot of hide-n-go-seek with McKinley and Maggie.

Cousins (from left to right):  Maggie, Graham, McKinley, Meredith, Owen, Colleen, Miles.  Notice how cute the girls are dressed...and then there's the boys--let's just say we are lucky Graham has any pants on.

The newest additions to the family--Colleen and Meredith.  The big boys like them well enough, but Graham is fascinated with them.  He knows their names, carries diapers to the trash, etc.  The last time we were in Lebo he asked Susan if we could take one of them home.  Now he says, "We can't have one, because they have to stay together or they will be sad."  Here they are wearing the little outfits we bought them for Thanksgiving.  So fun to look at and buy little girl clothes--especially when the only clothing worn by my kids these days seems to be varying shades of neon.

Crazy Hair Day

The boys participated in some theme days at school last week; this picture shows them on "crazy hair" day. Obviously Miles has a few more options. Since they weren't allowed to color their hair Owen went "crazy" with a couple of headbands. 

Browns Football

Flag football recently wrapped up. Miles had a great season--they won all of their games and had a lot of fun!  His coach did a fabulous job getting 1st and 2nd graders to learn and successfully run plays. To celebrate the season the boys met at Dairy Queen for ice cream cake.  Next up?  Basketball. 

Second Generation Friends

Sharla and I have been friends our whole lives, and it's fun to watch our boys become good friends as well.  Their family came to Manhattan Friday night and we all went to "Madness in Manhattan."  The adults all went to bed and the boys stayed up until??  

A Month Later

Exactly a month ago I started back to school. Then soon after that we closed on the new house, moved into the new house, and cleaned and turned over the apartment keys. Between the kids' activities starting back up, me being at work all day, Adam busier than ever, and trying to unpack and decorate the new place...time has flown by. I will add pictures of our house as we finish rooms, for now I suppose I should include at least one first day of school picture. Miles wasn't thrilled--can you tell?  Owen is a big fifth grader already and Miles a second grader. 

August 7th?! Surely not yet!!

Months, weeks, days, and now just hours until my summer wraps up and another school year begins. I'm not sure if I'm ready for mornings with all of us ready and out the door at 7:15!  

It has been a great summer (minus the fact that we are all about to go nuts in the rental apartment). Lots of baseball, pool time, play dates, Wildcat Creek, golf, friends, projects/school work, movies (Mickey Mouse for Graham), bowling, TONS of snacks, and monitoring the progress on the new house.  Here are a few photos of some summer moments:

Fair Time

Luckily we took the kids to the carnival last Friday night as it ended up raining all weekend. This year Owen was too cool for us and instead rode rides and walked around with his friends. Miles rode anything he could with anyone who wanted to ride with him and definitely got his $22 worth of rides in (bought the unlimited rides wristband). Graham hit all the kiddie rides and checked out the 4-H animals.  

And, speaking of 4-H, Miles' friend Logan took him to several 4-H fair functions. Logan's mom even led a group of boys in a baking project that they entered in the open class. Blue ribbon!  He thought this was really cool. And so did I since I'm definitely not into baking, let alone baking with kids!

House Update #8

Late July:  The house is coming right along, and we will be closing in late August and will likely take our time moving in since as of right now we have the apartment through September. The painter finished the trim and once he puts on the second coat of paint inside, the plumber and electrician can get to work. So far I love how everything is coming together, hopefully I will still feel the same after the carpet goes in. These are a few of my favorite pictures. 

I thought this sticker must be what Adam thinks every time he pulls up to the house.

Big Boy Bike

Graham is ready to ride with the big boys on his new training wheel bike. The big boys burned all the tread off the old beginner bike so G ended up with a shiny Lightning McQueen bike. 

Friends

Fortunately I was able to get together with my old (as in we go way back, neither one of us is "old" ;) friend Amy and her little girl, Ali and new baby, Hudson. They came out to my parents' house and the kids had a great time playing--mostly one of my big kids plus Ali and Graham chasing the other big kid who was driving the mule. They liked to hide behind trees and then run out armed with golf clubs. 

July 4th

We had a pretty low-key 4th. The bigs golfed with Adam. Graham and I joined them for lunch at Colbert. Neither Adam or I are into fireworks. We must have passed this gene along since they were completely satisfied with $13 worth of fireworks. The real satisfaction came from letting them hold their own punks.  The kids and I spent the 5th with Michelle and her kids (bounce house, lunch/play at Sonic, cousin time). Miles lost his other front tooth in the bounce house. 

Owen is growing up--ordering big people food off the menu, smoked salmon tacos and a salad. 

The other two are still digging the hot dogs and fries (secretly I prefer they order this so I can sneak some fries).

Mike and Connie are housing a couple of very friendly donkeys. 

State Baseball

Owen's baseball team played their last tournament of the season a week ago in KC. Although the games didn't turn out as well as we would have liked, it was still a great weekend. The weather was fantastic, Graham was content in Lebo, and we were able to watch Brady's (Stockwell) game too.  Miles used to always run around with the younger siblings at the games, but this year he's also become much more interested in playing baseball with Brett. They asked me to take this picture. What tough guys!

After the games were finished the whole team met at "The Fox and Hound" for food and pool. The coach initiated a hot wing eating contest to raffle off a fancy trophy from a previous tournament. 

Three!

Graham turned three on Friday, June 28.  He asked for two plain doughnuts (glazed doughnuts from Dillon's) for breakfast.  He opened and immediately put on the above outfit from my parents.  We sang "Happy Birthday" and pretty much ran out the door to hit the road to KC for state baseball.  We made a pitstop in Topeka to transfer Graham over to my mom.  He was happy to load his self-packed bag of underwear (he took his whole drawer) and Pringles and leave us behind.

We gave him a water gun (which he thinks is fabulous) and Quint and Susan gave him these real looking golf clubs that seem to satisfy his need for "real" golf clubs.  I think he could still injure someone, but at least they aren't deadly.  One of these days, we will take him to get a bike with pedals for his true birthday gift.

He can be a completely sweet boy, but also a total sassy-pants.  He quotes us often.  Things like, "Don't talk to me like that," and, "You're being rude to me," and, "Stop being a jerk, _____."  He has a big vocabulary and talks all of the time--many times about things I was hoping he'd forget about.  He runs to his room crying (for whichever parent didn't just tell him he can't have something) at least five times every day and comes out 30 seconds later asking for something different.  Graham also asks me several times every day what time it is.  G:  "What time is it, Mom?"  Me:  "4:50."  G:  "4:50?  Okay."  And he leaves as if he totally understood what I said.

He loves doing anything that Owen and Miles like to do (and pretty much nothing a three-year-old should like unless he's at school with kids his age), going to baseball games to play with the siblings of Owen and Miles' teammates, golf clubs, gum, BLUE BLANKIE, sucking his right thumb, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, the same three books (Owl Babies, Dizzy the Dragon, and Ziggy the Zebra) that he can "read" to himself, and spending time outside.

House Update #7

Late June:  the house is coming right along. I think we have picked out nearly everything. The interior has one coat of paint, trim work is in full swing, hard floors are in, and driveway/back patio are prepped for pouring concrete. 

Lucky 7

Miles turned seven on Saturday.  He (happily) spent his special day at Owen's baseball games in Clay Center--mostly running around with the younger siblings or trying to run the scoreboard.  Adam's parents were able to be here for the weekend, partly to see them on/around their birthdays and partly to watch some baseball games.  After the games Mike and Rosie took the big boys to eat with some of the baseball families at Nelson's Landing in Leonardville.  He was embarrassed when they all sang to him. He too wants to go to Oceans of Fun to celebrate his birthday.

We bought him a Ripstick (two wheeled skateboard) that he was dying to have.  He's trying to get the hang of it, but it's tough!  He also got some new Under Armour gear, Dick's card, and "Epic Mickey" for the PS3.

At seven, he loves playing sports (anything that Owen plays), goofing around, swimming, pizza, ice cream, gum, playing catch (with anyone who is willing), and entertaining and antagonizing his brothers.  He's an awesome little dude who keeps us laughing.  Happy Birthday, Miles Harlan!

Double Digits!

Owen turned 10 yesterday!  He was a good sport and accompanied me to Topeka to meet with the cabinet people.  While there we were able to meet up with my parents and open birthday gifts (if you guessed neon Under Armour outfit and matching basketball socks, you were right :).  Then Owen picked Chipotle for lunch.  When we got home he dug into his new PS3 baseball game from us and played that until it was time for baseball practice, followed by a friend's pool party.  I felt a little guilty that he was going to a classmate's party on his own birthday, but he would have been bummed to miss it.  As for his own "party" (you know we don't do parties), he wants to go to Oceans of Fun this summer.  So this is on the to-do list for July sometime.

Favorites:  sports (anything with a ball makes him happy), swimming, TV, PS3, tacos, steaks, ice cream, Under Armour, Nike socks, time with friends, playing catch with Adam or Miles, batting cages.

He's an awesome big brother and a great kid.  Happy Birthday, Owen Luke!

Happy Father's Day

Adam spent his special day coaching first base for Owen's baseball team.  Even though we got home too late on Sunday night, it was a fun way to spend the day.  They bought him some new Nike shorts and gave him a back rub.  They are so lucky to have such a great dad!

Our friend Michelle took this picture a couple of weeks ago--I love it!  Perfect for Father's Day!