Cousins

We've been lucky to see some cousins from both sides here lately. To close out Spring Break week we went to Lebo, and so did the twins. This trip the big boys really wanted to hold and help out with the babies; Graham--not so much, but he did take diapers out to the garage. 

And just this week the Butlers made an impromptu visit to Manhattan and the kids met up briefly. It's always a blast when they get together. Rosie and Mike may be rethinking taking Reese and Miles anywhere this summer--wild men!

Cousins Brody and Beau also visited in late winter, but unfortunately no pics from that weekend. 

The oldest and youngest cousins on one side of our family. 

The "big kids" on the other side of the family. 

Legos

Graham has really been into Legos lately. Once in a while he uses all of the blocks, but typically he carts around about 15 blocks and reconfigures them into ships, planes, and towers. Then he tries to pick them up, they break, he gets mad, repeat.  For whatever reason, everything he designs has line symmetry (an early lover of geometry perhaps?). 

Chefs

Since we didn't go to KC for basketball on Sunday, Adam and the Bigs decided they'd make a feast for dinner. They settled on a tenderloin and corn salad/dip, both courtesy of the Pioneer Woman to be followed up with brownies and ice cream. They spent a lot of time in the kitchen, and the meal turned out great. 

This corn dip was fantastic by my standards. 

Don't worry, I didn't eat it like this. 

Season Finale

Owen's basketball team closed out their season with the Midwest State Tournament in KC this past weekend. Unfortunately the potential bad weather prompted all of the families to go home Saturday night to avoid getting stuck in KC in 8 inches of snow. Even though we didn't end up with nearly the snow they predicted the team decided not to drive back to KC on snowy roads. Owen was bummed to miss out on the opportunity to play, but ended up enjoying a day off at home.  He is looking forward to the end-of-season party coming up this weekend. 

They beat this team which happened to be the Missouri state champions. Owen was lucky to have lots of fans on Saturday:  Uncle Quint, my cousin Wyatt, and the Stockwells. The boys were disappointed we didn't get to have a sleepover at the Stockwells. 

Between games on Saturday we visited the twins.  This was the best I could get from these five. 

Heat, 6-1

Miles' team (the Heat) wrapped up their season this past weekend. They won all but one game (lost that by one point). Miles had a great time playing "real" basketball. He was very aggressive on defense and spent a lot of time on the floor diving after the ball. Once again we were lucky to have a good coach who made things fun while also helping the boys become better basketball players. 

State Champions!

Both Owen and Miles had basketball practice and/or games this weekend, so we had to do a split.  Adam and Owen opted for a "man weekend" in Kansas City.  Turns out, it was a great weekend to be a Wildcat--at least a 5th grade Wildcat.  After five tough games, the boys won the USSSA state tournament.  I hate to miss any of their activities (especially these exciting games), but was happy that they got to spend a weekend together doing/watching something they both love.

Miles' team also won their game, and he had another basket.  He's playing with older boys, but definitely holding his own.  Although he does get bummed out when he isn't able to go to Owen's tournaments.

Kansas Day Program

Miles entertained us last Thursday with his school music program featuring sings about Kansas. He was excited to have a speaking part--one line about 34th state and 34 stars.  He wasn't excited about dressing "old-fashioned" so he stuck to neon. Very 1800's right?

Life As The Littlest Brother

Graham is such a good sport to take in all of the big boys' games and events. He's even starting to hang out with his own friends (Bodyn, little brother of Dayne) at Owen's games. He especially likes watching Mickey Mouse with him, even though they argue about who gets to sit closer to the screen. On this particular Sunday (in Independence, MO) he crashed out and spent the entire game sleeping in the bleachers. 

That's A Lot Of Basketball

A bleacher butt kind of weekend for our family!  We took in the high school games Friday night, three games in Chapman for Owen on Saturday plus the KSU vs. KU game for Adam and practice for Miles. Then three more (Manhattan) games for Owen and Miles' first game on Sunday.  My parents were able to see both kids in action on Sunday; they definitely got a kick out of Miles' aggressiveness. Unfortunately the MHS and KSU games didn't go our way, but team Owen/Miles went 7-0. We are having a lot of fun watching Miles finally get to play "real" basketball and continuing to see Owen's team progress. Apparently a win does not equal a smile (Owen).

Christmas in Atwood

We spent the first week of winter break in Atwood.  Adam had to work all but three days, so the kids and I drove out early and stayed late so that they could maximize their cousin time.  There wasn't really any hot item on any of their lists this year, but they were very happy with their goods.  Santa brought Owen neon orange shoes, Elite socks, sweats, NCAA14 football, and an iTunes card (since he is really into "his own" music nowadays).  Miles desperately needed a bigger bike, so Santa came through with that, along with a racing game for PS3, sweats, and neon orange shoes.  Graham's best gift was probably his hoodie.  He always asks for one, but usually everything in his size is still zip up jackets.  Now he can also wear the same thing five days in a row like his big brothers!
The week went fast, and we had a great time.  For the kids--lots of PS3, playing at the grocery store, movies, art sales, staying up late, and enjoying/bothering each other.  For the adults--lots of food :)  I've been switching back and forth between two phones, and some of my phone pics are missing (from Christmas in Lebo).  Onto looking for those...

Church on Christmas Eve.  Not the professional picture I planned to get back in October (and never did, hence no Christmas cards from us this year) but at least we are all looking at the camera.  The boys must have been in the Christmas spirit because as there was only minimal complaining about the nice shirts and ties.

Christmas dinner--still in PJ's and hoodie.

Graham also asked for his own bed lamp since the bigs both have one for reading.  

All of the cousins with Grandpa Mike and Grandma Rosie.

New bike!

New shoes!

When they have it, my kids go through gum like crazy.  This rally bucket didn't last long.  

Pondering life I guess.

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: